The construction sector in Spain has played a very important role in the national economy, especially in the years leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. As a result of the crisis, the sector suffered a sharp fall in demand and prices, from which it only started recovering in 2014. A proof of this is the fact that the sector went from accounting for 9.4% of the economy in 2006 to 5.5% in 2018. In terms of the composition of the building stock, residential properties represent 62.2% of the total. Of this percentage, and six years after the implementation of energy certification for buildings, 47.5% get the E energy label, and 25% a G rating.

The Spanish building stock is quite aged, as 56.3% of the country’s buildings were built prior to 1980. This group should serve as the target for the implementation of a comprehensive rehabilitation action to ensure that energy efficiency targets are met. This is especially true in light of the fact that more than 10% of Spanish households (equivalent to 5.1 million people) declare themselves incapable of maintaining their dwelling at an adequate temperature during cold months, and thus fall under the energy poverty line.

Of the more than 25 million homes in Spain, approximately 90% pre-date the Technical Building Code (approved in 2006) and 60% were built without any energy efficiency regulations. Because of this, several measures aimed at improving the energy performance of Spanish buildings have been approved. In order to finance energy efficiency renovation across the residential sector, a wide range of public grants and subsidies are available, as well as more ‘traditional’ private financing schemes.