Energy Performance Certificate for Residential Buildings: A Complete Guide 2026

Currently, the home energy certificate is a mandatory document in Spain, and it is required by the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Tourism. You need this official document to sell or rent a home, and without it, you will not be able to participate in the real estate market.

This regulation has been in effect since June 2013; however, some property owners have not yet been required to apply for it. For this reason, it is essential to know the basic requirements for obtaining it, how much it costs, and other useful details.

What is an energy performance certificate, and what is it for?

This EPC is a certificate that attests to a property's energy efficiency, much like the colorful labels we're familiar with. These labels can be found on household appliances and simply indicate how energy-efficient the appliance in question is, using various ratings that you should be familiar with.

This rating ranges from "G," which represents the least efficient rating and is marked in red, to "A," which represents the highest efficiency. This range is always shown in dark green, and it is the level at which your home should be rated.

Basically, it is used for:

• Provide the interested party with information on how much it costs to heat that property and how much CO2 it emits
• Highlight a number of necessary requirements
• Please note that you must provide this certificate to any interested parties
• Prospective buyers can evaluate and compare the different options before purchasing or renting a property
• Avoid penalties
• You comply with current regulations

What information does it include?

In short, this official document can help you learn more about a property, such as:

• Identification of the individual floors of the building to be certified
• A description of the verification procedures and records prepared by the accredited expert
• The building's energy characteristics
• Temperature insulation
• Equipment, standard operating conditions, and occupancy
• Thermal comfort, natural light, and indoor air quality
• Some recommendations on potential improvements the owner should make to upgrade the property

What are the benefits?

You know that sooner or later, you’ll have to request an energy performance certificate for your home, and it offers many benefits, such as these:

Avoid delays in the sales process

If you wait until the last minute to request the CEE, you may face delays in the sales process and during the notarization. One reason is that the seller may not have the required certificate—a document mandated by law—since they are unaware of the need to demonstrate the property’s energy efficiency.

Transparency for everyone

Providing proof of energy efficiency demonstrates greater transparency on the part of the seller, as it can be seen as a gesture of good faith.

Competitiveness compared to other offers

Knowing this valuation is definitely an incentive for anyone interested, especially if they have a good credit score, when considering other options on the market.

Access to better financing

An excellent credit score can lead to better financing terms, such as lower interest rates or the waiver of certain fees.

Access to financial assistance

Some states offer financial assistance programs or initiatives to help with window and boiler repairs or to subsidize property tax bills. Generally, to qualify for these programs, you must have a CEE with a good rating.

How do you obtain a CEE for a house?

If you need this receipt issued to you as the owner, please follow these instructions:

• Submit a formal request to a company or a qualified designer, professional, or technician
• The expert will gather information about the house
• Once this process is complete, it will perform the necessary calculations to determine the property's rating
• The final step will be to issue the CEE, with the information verified by the expert, and file it with the relevant authority
• This final step is essential for it to be valid

When is it inexcusable?

The requirement to present the CEE applies only to the cases listed as the most common, as specified in Royal Decree 235/2013. In these cases, as the property owner, you must submit this declaration; however, the regulation more precisely defines the situations in which the certificate is absolutely mandatory.

This Decree stipulates that the document is required only when selling or renting buildings, flats, apartments, or commercial premises. As of June 2, 2021, the CEE must also be submitted if the building is being rented for vacation purposes.

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How much does an energy performance certificate for a home cost?

It’s not easy to give a straightforward answer about the cost of the CEE; it’s not as simple as just giving a figure, because there are many variables. Ultimately, these variables will affect the price, but we’ll try to break them down based on the provisions of Royal Decree 235/2013.

The average cost of this certificate could range from €50 to €200, in accordance with the legal provisions of the aforementioned Decree. According to these current regulations, the price of the CEE will depend primarily on:

• The property's area
• Its location
• Type of house or premises
• The certifier's fees
• Taxes

Who issues the Energy Efficiency Certificate?

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) should be issued by a certified expert, who is typically an architect or a civil engineer. These are the only professionals certified to conduct energy audits, which include a detailed assessment of the building’s energy characteristics.

How reliable is it?

The CEE will be valid if it is current; to verify this, you should check the date of issuance and registration to ensure it is less than ten years old. This is a general rule for new buildings and parts of existing ones. In addition to the date, you should keep in mind that the CEE is valid if:

• If it was issued in accordance with the calculation methodology established in Royal Decree 235/2013
• If it was done by a qualified technician
• If it contains the information specified in Article 6 of the aforementioned Decree
• If it was registered with the competent authority of the autonomous community in which the property is located

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What happens if my home gets a poor rating?

Alow energy rating will directly affect your wallet as well as your health, but it also means you’re having a negative impact on the environment. If you maintain a home with a low energy rating, you’re contributing to climate change in ways you may not realize and limiting your options for renting or selling. A low rating is a clear indication of a home that consumes too much energy and has issues with insulation, ventilation, and outdated heating systems. For these reasons, it is unpleasant to live in and can have serious consequences for your health or that of your prospective buyer or tenant.

Tips for Improving Energy Efficiency

There are many tips I can give you to improve energy efficiency in your home, but here are some of the most important ones:

• Schedule an energy audit
• Implement an energy management plan for family members and domestic staff
• Consider self-consumption 
• Consider renovations and property improvements 
• Raise your family's awareness
• Follow best practices
• Optimize Lighting
• Upgrade the HVAC system
• Optimize hot water usage
• Upgrade your boiler systems

Frequently Asked Questions About a Home's CEE

How can I tell if my home has an energy certificate?

If you have questions about whether or not you have the CEE, we suggest you do the following:

• Check all the records for the house
• Call the owner or real estate agent
• Check the state registry
• Search on the Geoportal

What happens if my housing certificate has expired?

Given this situation, we recommend requesting a replacement for the expired CEE, which means you’ll need to find an accredited certifying expert to re-inspect the house. This expert will then issue a new certificate that will be valid for 10 years.

What happens if you buy a house and it doesn't have an energy performance certificate?

If you do not have this certificate, you may be fined for violating the law if the property is listed without mentioning its energy rating. This can result in a fine of 300 to 600 euros; and if you are not provided with the energy performance certificate, as a buyer or tenant, you will be charged a significant fee.

Now, if a property is advertised without a CEE, a fee of up to 6,000 euros may be charged.

Who is responsible for paying for the energy performance certificate?

Once the CEE has been registered with the competent authority, the property owner must pay the fees specified in the Royal Decree.

How long does it take to get an energy performance certificate?

You can receive your CEE within about two business days after signing up for the service, but this may vary by community.

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Conclusion

When it comes to obtaining an energy performance certificate for your home, your best bet is to consult with true experts who can guide you —contact Domoblock! Remember that the EPC is an official document you’ll need if you plan to sell or rent out your property, so don’t wait until the last minute.

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