Grants for Rehabilitation and Energy Efficiency in Catalonia
Last update: June 14, 2026
Content revised according to current calls for proposals from ICAEN, the Agència de l’Habitatge de Catalunya and NextGenerationEU funds.
Boiler replacement subsidy: aerothermal and other thermal renewables
Since January 2025, subsidies for fossil fuel boilers have been discontinued. The European ErP directive excludes gas, oil, and coal boilers from receiving subsidies. Subsidies are now focused on heat pumps (aerothermal systems), hybrid systems, solar thermal, and biomass.
ICAEN offers up to 40% of the cost, with a maximum of €3,000 per household (minimum investment of €1,000). In the city of Barcelona, the Consorci de l’Habitatge can provide up to €6,000 per household.
→ See complete guide: Aids for aerothermal energy in Catalonia.
Aid for solar panels and photovoltaic self-consumption
There are three types of incentives: direct NextGen subsidies managed by ICAEN (currently on the waiting list for a second phase until 2026), deductions in IRPF of up to 60%, and municipal bonuses in IBI (up to 50%) and ICIO (up to 95%).
→ See complete guide: Grants for solar panels in Catalonia.
Comprehensive rehabilitation of the building
This is the program with the greatest potential for subsidies. The amounts range from 40% to 80% of the eligible costs , with a maximum of up to €18,800 per dwelling. The minimum required energy savings is 30% in non-renewable primary energy consumption.
Beneficiaries receive a base subsidy of 35%, with an additional 15% if public housing is rehabilitated, if the buildings are in urban regeneration areas, or if an energy rating of A or B is achieved.
Energy Communities
An energy community allows neighbors, cooperatives, or local entities to generate and share renewable energy collectively. In Catalonia, there are two options: the ICAEN-SolarCoop program (which finances the legal framework and technical documentation) and the IDAE’s state-run CE IMPLEMENTA program (which covers the installation with genuine citizen participation).
→ See complete guide: Grants for energy communities in Catalonia.
Which organizations manage the grants in Catalonia?
Funding is distributed among several agencies, and knowing which one corresponds to each action is key to avoid losing subsidies:
- ICAEN (Catalan Energy Institute)ICAEN is the reference entity for photovoltaic self-consumption, thermal renewables, aerothermal energy and efficiency in SMEs. The ICAEN coordinates and publishes calls for energy aid with regional, state and European funds, supervising that the requirements are met and that the impact on sustainability is maximized.
- Catalan Housing Agency (Agència de l’Habitatge de Catalunya)The Agency manages the calls for proposals for integral residential rehabilitation in buildings and homeowners’ associations. It has an open call for European grants for housing rehabilitation programs with Next Generation funds.
- Consorci de l’Habitatge de Barcelona and Consorci MetropolitàFor homeowners in Barcelona city or the metropolitan area, they manage grants from the European Next Generation funds to rehabilitate homes with energy efficiency criteria. TRAC
- City councils (Barcelona, Girona, Tarragona, Lleida): Some city councils have their own rehabilitation programs and provide for ICIO exemptions or IBI rebates. In Barcelona city, grants for the replacement of windows and air conditioning systems can reach up to €6,000 per dwelling with a simplified online procedure.
Our job is to coordinate all these channels in order to present a complete and compatible file, avoiding errors or double financing problems.
Eligibility requirements for energy subsidies
Regardless of the program, there are three requirements that are repeated in virtually every call for applications:
- Energy Efficiency Certificate (EEC): It is mandatory to have a certificate prior to the works and another one afterwards to accredit the improvement achieved. Without it, the subsidy cannot be justified.
- Minimum demonstrable energy savings: Most lines require a reduction in non-renewable primary energy consumption of at least 30%, although some specific actions (such as window replacement) allow a 7% reduction in heating demand.
- Authorized installation company: Installations must be carried out by authorized companies. Invoices and bank payment receipts are essential to close the file.
At Fotovol, we make the initial certificate, propose the measures and calculate the expected savings before submitting anything.
Tax compatibilities: how to accumulate more aid
An advantage that many owners are unaware of: direct subsidies are compatible with other tax reductions.
IRPF deductions are compatible with direct subsidies; only what is actually paid out of pocket is deducted. In addition, some municipalities have their own rehabilitation programs and provide for ICIO exemptions or IBI rebates. The usual combination in well-managed projects: direct subsidy + IRPF deduction + municipal IBI rebate.
Deadlines: why act before funds run out?
This is the most important factor affecting the decision: the funds are not unlimited and are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Next Generation programs must be justified to the Ministry by June 2026.
To ensure compliance with this deadline, calls awarded after May 2025 have a deadline of April 8, 2026 for execution and justification.
How we manage your grant step by step
- We first listen to your case and validate the best fit call.
- Then we prepare the report and the project, with budget by items and work schedule.
- We present the file with digital signature, we attend to requirements, we coordinate the installation and legalization and, at the end, we close the justification so that you can collect the aid.
- You have a single contact person for the entire process.
do we see it on your home or community? → prepare my file
If you want an installation with guarantees and a well-processed subsidy, we will talk to you and tell you how it would look in your specific case.
Frequently asked questions about energy subsidies in Catalonia
Can I ask for assistance if I am a tenant?
You need authorization from the owner and proof that it is your habitual residence by registration.
Can homeowners' associations apply for subsidies?
Yes, they are in fact the main beneficiaries of Program 3 of the PRTR for integral rehabilitation of buildings. Agreement of the board is required and the president or property manager must act as representative.
How long does the resolution of energy efficiency grants take?
The deadline varies from 3 to 9 months depending on the agency and the program. It is therefore essential not to wait until the last minute to submit the file.
What percentage is covered by energy efficiency subsidies in Catalonia?
It depends on the program and the type of action. In rehabilitation, maximum intensities are set according to the savings achieved; the municipal bonuses (IBI/ICIO/taxes) are defined by each ordinance.
Can I combine a subsidy with IBI or ICIO?
It is usually compatible because we are talking about different areas (subsidy + tax credit). We review compatibilities to avoid double financing.
Can I change only the windows without a complete renovation?
Yes, Program 4 allows applying for assistance only for the change of carpentry, as long as the minimum energy improvement required is achieved.
What if I already had a previous grant for the same concept?
In general, it is not compatible to reapply for the same item already subsidized. Each specific call establishes the incompatibilities.