Reducing Bureaucracy in the Construction Sector
In response to years of complaints from investors and developers regarding excessive red tape, the Spanish government passed a law in 2026 to drastically simplify administrative procedures. The innovations apply to obtaining municipal licenses for the construction, reconstruction, and major renovation of residential buildings. This initiative is designed to accelerate the delivery of new homes and stimulate local economies.
The key change is the widespread introduction of the ‘responsible declaration’ (declaración responsable) system for most types of renovation work and minor construction. Now, instead of waiting months for town hall approval, a property owner simply needs to submit a project signed by a certified architect and sign a declaration of compliance with all building codes. Work can legally commence the day after the documents are submitted.
Furthermore, the processing time for large-scale construction applications is now strictly capped at 60 days. If the municipality fails to provide a response within this timeframe, the license is automatically considered approved under the principle of ‘administrative silence’. Developers have highly praised these reforms, predicting a surge in investments aimed at renovating aging housing stock in historic city centers.
- ‘Responsible declaration’ system for renovations
- Immediate start of works without long waiting times
- Automatic license approval via administrative silence