Spain has three main types of domestic gas, and which you have depends on the property. Mains natural gas (gas natural) is piped, metered and billed like electricity — common in cities and many newer developments. Bottled gas (butano/propano) uses refillable cylinders (the orange butano bottle) you buy and swap at a delivery point or petrol station — common in older and rural homes for the cooker and water heater. Tank gas (gas a granel) is a bulk propane tank on the property, refilled by a supplier — common for larger or off-grid homes. Mains gas needs a contract and a change of holder on move-in; bottled gas needs a customer contract for the supply and a deposit on the first bottle. All gas installations need a periodic safety inspection by law. We set up and transfer gas for expats whatever type the property has.
The Three Types of Gas
Before you do anything, work out which type of gas your property has — it changes everything about how you contract and pay:
| Type | How it works |
|---|---|
| Mains natural gas | Piped to the property and metered; you hold a contract with a supplier and pay by direct debit, like electricity. Common in cities and newer developments. |
| Bottled (butano/propano) | Refillable cylinders you swap when empty. Common in older and rural homes for the cooker and hot water. A contract with the supplier gives you the regulated price and delivery. |
| Tank gas (granel) | A bulk propane tank on the property, refilled periodically by a supplier. Common for larger or off-grid homes; you pay for refills. |
Some homes have no gas at all and run entirely on electricity (increasingly common in modern, all-electric properties), in which case there's nothing to set up. The first step when taking over a property is simply to ask what it has — the seller, landlord or agent will know, and the type of cooker, boiler and any cylinders or tank on site make it obvious. We confirm which type applies and set it up accordingly.
Mains Natural Gas
Mains natural gas (gas natural) works much like electricity: it's piped to the property, metered, and you hold a contract with a supplier (often the same big energy companies that supply electricity), paying by direct debit for a fixed standing charge plus your metered usage. As with electricity, the market is liberalised, so you can choose your supplier and switch for a better deal, and bills are issued periodically.
When you take over a property with mains gas, you do a change of holder (cambio de titular) into your name — supplying your NIE, IBAN and proof of occupancy — rather than connecting from scratch, just as with electricity. Mains gas is convenient (no cylinders to swap, no tank to refill) and is the norm in cities and many newer developments. The main thing to get right is the same as electricity: a sensible tariff and the supply properly in your name on your direct debit. We handle the transfer and can review the tariff for you.
Bottled Gas (Butano)
Bottled gas — the familiar orange butano cylinder (or blue propano for some uses) — is extremely common in Spain, especially in older flats and rural homes, typically powering the cooker and the hot-water heater. You buy a full cylinder and swap the empty one for a full one at a delivery point, petrol station, or via home delivery from the supplier. There's a regulated price for the standard butano bottle, reviewed periodically, and a small deposit on your first cylinder.
To get bottled gas as a household, you generally set up a customer contract with the supplier (which entitles you to home delivery and the regulated price) and pay a deposit on the bottle. The practical quirks for expats: you need to monitor the cylinder and have a spare so you don't run out mid-shower or mid-meal, the connection regulator and hose must be in date and safe (replaced periodically), and home delivery is the easy option once you have a contract. It's cheap and simple once you're set up, but it does require keeping an eye on the bottle. We arrange the supply contract and explain the local delivery options.
Keep a spare butano cylinder
With bottled gas, running out usually happens at the worst moment — mid-shower or while cooking. Keep a spare full cylinder so you can swap instantly and reorder at leisure. Also check the regulator and hose are in date: these have a safety lifespan and must be replaced periodically.
Tank Gas (Granel)
Tank gas (gas a granel) uses a bulk propane tank installed on the property, refilled periodically by a tanker from your supplier. It's common for larger homes, villas and off-grid properties that aren't on the mains gas network but need more than bottled gas can comfortably supply — for heating, hot water and cooking across a bigger house. You hold a contract with the gas company, who own or maintain the tank and bill you for the gas delivered.
For an expat taking over such a property, the job is to transfer the tank contract into your name with the existing supplier (the tank usually stays with the property), set up payment, and understand the refill arrangement — some are on automatic monitored refills, others you order when the gauge drops. The tank and installation are subject to safety inspections like any gas installation. It's a less common arrangement, mostly seen on rural and larger coastal properties, but straightforward once the contract is in your name. We handle the transfer and clarify the refill and inspection setup.
Gas Safety Inspections
Gas installations in Spain are subject to a mandatory periodic safety inspection (revisión) — broadly every few years depending on the type of installation — carried out by an authorised installer or the gas company. This checks the pipework, connections, regulator, hoses and appliances for safety, and you receive a certificate. It's a legal requirement, not optional, and applies to mains, bottled and tank gas installations.
A word of caution for expats: there's a well-known scam where someone turns up unannounced claiming to be a "gas inspector", performs a bogus check and demands a large cash payment or pressures you into buying overpriced equipment. Genuine inspections are arranged through your gas supplier or a registered installer, are notified in advance, and the cost is reasonable — so be wary of anyone who arrives without an appointment, won't show proper ID, or demands immediate cash. If in doubt, don't let them in and contact your supplier. We can arrange the legitimate inspection through the proper channel and advise clients on avoiding this common scam.
Setting Up & Transferring
How you set up gas depends on the type:
Identify the type
Confirm whether the property has mains, bottled or tank gas — or none. The cooker, boiler and any cylinders or tank make it clear.
Mains: change the holder
Do a cambio de titular with the supplier into your name, set up the direct debit, and review the tariff.
Bottled: set up a supply contract
Contract with the butano supplier for the regulated price and home delivery, pay the cylinder deposit, and check the regulator/hose are in date.
Tank: transfer the contract
Transfer the granel tank contract into your name, arrange payment, and confirm the refill and inspection setup.
Whatever the type, the recurring theme is the same as the other utilities: get the supply or contract properly in your name, pay by Spanish-account direct debit where applicable, and make sure the safety inspection is current. We confirm the type, handle the contract or transfer, and sort the inspection — so the gas is set up safely and legally from move-in.
How We Help
We set up and transfer expats' gas, whatever type the property has. We confirm whether it's mains, bottled or tank gas, handle the cambio de titular or supply contract, set up payment from your Spanish account, arrange the legitimate safety inspection through the proper channel, and warn you about the common fake-inspector scam. It's part of our relocation and property support, and our gestoría service can keep things in order for non-resident owners. In English, on a clear quote — supplier fees and the inspection cost are separate. Book a consultation to sort your gas.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Three main types, and which you have depends on the property. Mains natural gas (gas natural) is piped, metered and billed like electricity — common in cities and newer developments. Bottled gas (butano/propano) uses refillable cylinders you swap when empty — common in older and rural homes for the cooker and water heater. Tank gas (gas a granel) is a bulk propane tank on the property, refilled by a supplier — common for larger or off-grid homes. Some modern homes have no gas at all and run entirely on electricity. We confirm which type a property has and set it up accordingly.
Butano is the orange refillable cylinder common in older and rural Spanish homes, typically powering the cooker and hot-water heater. You buy a full cylinder and swap the empty one at a delivery point, petrol station or via home delivery. There's a regulated price for the standard bottle and a small deposit on your first cylinder. You generally set up a customer contract with the supplier, which gives you home delivery and the regulated price. Keep a spare cylinder so you don't run out, and make sure the regulator and hose are in date. We arrange the supply contract and explain local delivery options.
Tank gas (gas a granel) uses a bulk propane tank installed on the property, refilled periodically by a tanker from your supplier. It's common for larger homes, villas and off-grid properties that aren't on the mains gas network but need more than bottled gas can supply — for heating, hot water and cooking across a bigger house. You hold a contract with the gas company, who own or maintain the tank and bill you for the gas delivered. When you take over such a property you transfer the tank contract into your name. We handle the transfer and clarify the refill and inspection setup.
Yes. Gas installations are subject to a mandatory periodic safety inspection (revisión) — broadly every few years depending on the installation type — carried out by an authorised installer or the gas company, who issue a certificate. It applies to mains, bottled and tank gas and checks the pipework, connections, regulator, hoses and appliances. Be aware of a common scam where someone turns up unannounced claiming to be a gas inspector and demands cash or pressures you into overpriced equipment — genuine inspections are arranged through your supplier or a registered installer and notified in advance. We arrange the legitimate inspection and advise clients on avoiding the scam.
Mains natural gas works like electricity: it's piped and metered, you hold a contract with a supplier and pay by direct debit. When you take over a property with mains gas you do a change of holder (cambio de titular) into your name — supplying your NIE, a Spanish IBAN and proof of occupancy — rather than connecting from scratch. The market is liberalised so you can choose your supplier and switch for a better deal. The main thing to get right is a sensible tariff and the supply properly in your name on your direct debit. We handle the transfer and can review the tariff.
Be very cautious. There's a well-known scam in Spain where someone arrives unannounced claiming to be a "gas inspector", performs a bogus check, and demands a large cash payment or pressures you into buying overpriced equipment. Genuine inspections are arranged through your gas supplier or a registered installer, notified in advance, carry proper ID, and cost a reasonable, documented amount — they don't demand immediate cash from unannounced callers. If someone turns up without an appointment, won't show proper ID, or pressures you to pay on the spot, don't let them in and contact your supplier. We arrange legitimate inspections through the proper channel.
No. Many modern, all-electric Spanish homes have no gas at all — the cooking, hot water and heating all run on electricity, so there's nothing to set up. Of the homes that do have gas, the type varies: cities and newer developments often have mains natural gas, older and rural homes commonly use bottled butano, and larger or off-grid properties may have a bulk tank. The first step on taking over a property is simply to ask what it has — the cooker, boiler and any cylinders or tank make it obvious. We confirm the type for each client's property.
Yes. We set up and transfer gas for non-resident owners regardless of type — handling the mains cambio de titular, the bottled-gas supply contract, or the tank contract transfer, plus arranging the safety inspection through the proper channel. Our gestoría service can keep the contract and inspection in order while you're away. It's part of our relocation, property and gestoría support. Book a consultation and we'll set up your gas alongside the other utilities your Spanish home needs.