Spain Offers €40,000 to Renovate Old House in Catalonia

Discover how Spain's Catalonia is offering €40,000 to renovate an old house in small villages. Explore the charm of renovating old houses in Catalonia.

The Generalitat of Catalonia has recently introduced a grant scheme aimed at revitalizing small villages by encouraging residents to renovate old, vacant, or dilapidated buildings. This initiative is designed to attract individuals or families to settle in these areas and breathe new life into the community. With grants of up to €40,000 available, property owners in villages with less than 500 inhabitants in Catalonia or up to 1,000 inhabitants in specific regions are eligible to apply.

To qualify for the grant, the properties must be the owner's primary residence or have been vacant for over two years. In the latter case, the properties must be rented out through the social rental mediation network. Additionally, owners are required to commit to not transferring the property for a period of 10 years after receiving the grant to ensure that the investment in renovation contributes to residential housing and helps combat depopulation in Catalan villages.

The grant covers 50% of the project budget and can be used for various purposes, including improving energy efficiency, repairing building upkeep, and ensuring compliance with safety and habitability standards. Properties must have passed the Technical Building Inspection (ITE) to be eligible for the grant. Owners can receive up to €20,000 per property if it has been their main permanent residence for at least six months before the application period, or up to €40,000 per property if the property was previously vacant. Owners can apply for a maximum of six properties, with the requirement that units in buildings with multiple residential units must be rented out through the Social Rental Mediation Network.

This grant scheme has a budget of €2 million for the period of 2024-2027, with specific allocations for each year. It presents a unique opportunity for property owners to revitalize their homes and contribute to the preservation of Catalan villages.