Spain’s real estate market is on the brink of significant changes that will affect anyone planning to purchase property. Starting August 12, 2025, a new requirement will come into force, radically altering the process of concluding transactions. This measure aims to increase transparency and protect buyers’ interests, but it also demands greater vigilance from them at the earliest stages.
At the heart of these changes is the energy efficiency certificate (CEE). While this document was once often seen as a mere formality, its presence will now be a mandatory condition for assessing a property. According to Decree ECM/599/2025, which amends legislation dating back twenty years, an appraiser will not be able to issue their report without this certificate. In practice, this means the mortgage process will be completely blocked until the document is provided.
Renowned financial consultant Montse Céspedes, who has nearly thirty years of experience in mortgage lending, is actively warning future homeowners about the upcoming changes. She emphasizes that “the rules of the game have changed” and ignoring this fact may lead to dire consequences. Signing a preliminary purchase agreement, known as ‘arras,’ without first obtaining the CEE certificate from the seller is a major risk that can result not only in delays, but the complete failure of the deal.
The classification of housing on a scale from ‘A’ (maximum efficiency) to ‘G’ (minimum) now carries not only informational value but also direct economic significance. The new regulations require appraisers to consider energy efficiency as one of the key factors influencing the final property value. According to experts, improving the rating by just one letter can increase the market price of a property by approximately 1.3%. Thus, the energy consumption class becomes a significant argument in price negotiations.
This legislative update is a response to a pan-European directive aimed at strengthening sustainability and transparency in the housing market. The goal is to ensure that the appraised value accurately reflects the true worth of the asset, including future maintenance costs. Therefore, for buyers in 2025, the request to provide a certificate before making a deposit is no longer just advice, but a crucial step to protect your finances and guarantee a smooth completion of the purchase.
