Are you fed up with spam calls with dodgy energy deals? Relief is finally on the way.
Spain is preparing to approve a new royal decree that will put a firm stop to electricity and gas companies making promotional “spam” calls without a customer’s clear, prior consent.
And this isn’t a gentle slap on the wrist. Firms that ignore the new rules could be hit with hefty fines ranging from €600,001 to as much as €6 million.
The decree strengthens existing laws that already require commercial calls to use a specific phone prefix, making it easier for operators and users to spot and block marketing calls.
Spam calls: The big change
Any contract agreed through an unauthorised sales call will automatically be invalid.
- That means no more being tricked into switching suppliers through pressure tactics, fake numbers or misleading scripts.
- Stricter identity checks for energy companies
- To stop shady sign-ups, energy providers will now have to:
- Clearly verify a customer’s identity using a DNI or equivalent ID
- Keep proof of consent through electronic signatures or recorded audio
- Prove the customer explicitly agreed to the offer No proof? No contract.
- Heavy oversight and faster customer service
- Enforcement will fall to National Commission for Markets and Competition, which will investigate breaches and issue penalties.
The decree also tightens customer service standards for large utility firms. They will be required to:
- Answer 95% of calls within three minutes
- Offer real human assistance, limiting automated bots
- Resolve complaints within 15 days, instead of the current 30
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