What Is an Energy Certificate and Is It Mandatory?

🏡 What Is an Energy Certificate?

An energy certificate (Certificado de Eficiencia Energética – CEE) is an official document that specifies the energy efficiency of a property. It is similar to the energy labels you find on household appliances and shows how much energy the building consumes per square meter annually.

The certificate includes:

• Energy class of the property: A scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
• Average annual energy consumption: Expressed in kWh/m².
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions: Given in kg CO₂/m² per year.
• Recommendations for improving energy efficiency: Suggestions for upgrades that can reduce energy consumption and bills.

✅ Is the Energy Certificate Mandatory in Spain?

Yes, the energy certificate is mandatory in Spain when selling, renting, or advertising a property. This obligation arises from European Union regulations and the Spanish royal decree (Real Decreto 235/2013).

When Is the Certificate Required?

• 📌 When selling a property: It must be presented to the buyer before signing the notarial deed.
• 📌 When renting (short-term and long-term): The landlord must provide a copy to the tenant.
• 📌 When publishing a sales or rental advertisement: The energy class must be stated in the listing on the real estate portal.

❌ When Is the Certificate Not Required?

• 🏚️ Buildings with a usable area of less than 50 m².
• 🛖 Properties used as agricultural, industrial, or storage facilities.
• 🏤 Buildings intended for demolition.
• 🛎️ Short-term tourist rentals (up to 4 months a year) – although in some regions it is required.

⚠️ What Are the Penalties for Not Having an Energy Certificate?

Spanish law provides for financial penalties for not having a certificate:

• 💸 Penalties for not having a certificate in the advertisement: From 300 to 600 euros.
• 💸 Penalties for not having a certificate when selling or renting: Can range from 601 to 6,000 euros, depending on the severity of the violation.
• 📑 A notary may refuse to finalize the sale deed if the document is not provided.

🛡️ How to Obtain an Energy Certificate in Spain?

1. Find a qualified technician (Certificador energético):

An energy certificate can only be issued by a licensed specialist:

• 🏢 Building engineer (Ingeniero técnico)
• 🏡 Architect (Arquitecto)
• ⚙️ Technician in installations and energy efficiency

2. Schedule a visit and property inspection:

During the visit, the technician will conduct:

• Analysis of the building's structure: Checking insulation, windows, roof, and walls.
• Inspection of heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems.
• Measurement of energy consumption by household appliances.

3. Receive the certificate and registration:

• After the inspection, the technician will prepare a report and assign an energy class.
• The document must be registered in the appropriate regional register (e.g., Junta de Andalucía, Generalitat Valenciana).
• After registration, you receive a reference number and an official certificate in PDF format.

4. Validity of the certificate:

The energy certificate is valid for 10 years. After this period, it must be renewed.

💰 Cost of Obtaining an Energy Certificate in Spain

The cost of the certificate depends on the location, size of the property, and technician's rates. Average prices are:

• 🏡 Small apartment (up to 80 m²): 80–150 €
• 🏠 Apartment (80–150 m²): 120–200 €
• 🏘️ Single-family house (150–250 m²): 200–350 €
• 🏢 Large commercial space: 300–600 €

💡 Tip: Avoid offers “at suspiciously low prices” – they may be fake certificates. Ensure that the specialist is licensed and registers the document in the regional register.

📈 How Does the Energy Certificate Affect Property Value?

Properties with high energy class (A or B):

• 🏡 Faster sales: Buyers are increasingly paying attention to operating costs.
• 💰 Higher market price: Energy-efficient homes sell for an average of 5–10% more.
• 📉 Lower bills: Modern insulation and heating systems can reduce energy costs by as much as 50% annually.

Properties with low energy class (E, F, or G):

• 🏚️ Slower sales or rentals: More and more buyers are avoiding energy-consuming buildings.
• 💸 Higher operating costs: Older installations generate high bills.
• 🚧 Need for modernization: In the future, owners may be forced to renovate to meet new EU energy standards.

🛠️ How to Improve Energy Efficiency of Properties in Spain?

Invest in thermal insulation: Replacing windows with double or triple glazing and insulating walls can reduce heat loss.

Install solar panels: Spain offers subsidies for photovoltaic installations, and solar energy can lower electricity bills.

Replace appliances with energy-efficient ones: Choose appliances with an energy class of A++ or higher.

Install smart thermostats: Modern energy management systems optimize electricity and heating consumption.

Modernize heating and air conditioning systems: Heat pumps and inverter air conditioners are more efficient than old gas or oil-fired boilers.

💡 Is the Energy Certificate Important for Short-Term Rentals?

Short-term rentals (e.g., through Airbnb) in Spain do not always require an energy certificate. It depends on the region and rental duration:

• In most regions, tourist rentals for up to 4 months a year are exempt from the requirement to have a certificate.
• In regions such as Valencia, Andalusia, or the Balearic Islands, the regulations are stricter, and the certificate is often required when registering a tourist property.

⚠️ Penalties and Consequences for Not Having an Energy Certificate

Spanish law provides for sanctions for owners who do not comply with the obligation to have a certificate:

• Lack of certificate in the sales or rental advertisement: Fine from 300 to 600 euros.
• Lack of certificate when selling or renting: Fine from 601 to 6,000 euros.
• Providing false energy class: Possible fine up to 10,000 euros.

Notaries in Spain often refuse to sign the sales deed if you do not present a valid certificate.

📝 Summary – Is the Energy Certificate Mandatory and Why Is It Important?

• The energy certificate is mandatory when selling, renting, and publishing advertisements.
• Lack of a certificate can result in financial penalties and problems with sales.
• Having a high energy class (A or B) increases property value and reduces energy bills.
• The cost of obtaining a certificate is relatively low (from 80 to 350 €), and its validity is 10 years.

💡 Looking for Properties with High Energy Class?

Feel free to browse our offer of energy-efficient apartments and villas in Spain:

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