The European Next Generation EU funds seek the modernization of key economic sectors to ensure the sustainable future of Catalonia's industrial fabric and achieve the digital transformation of society, without exclusions. In this context,
the promotion of clean energy and the reduction of energy consumption is one of the most relevant axes that the funds want to promote, especially in the residential sector. With the aim of favoring this transition and the maximum absorption of Next Generation funds aimed at improving the energy efficiency of homes,
the Government and ten entities from the financial sector have signed a collaboration agreement to facilitate access to financing for residential energy rehabilitation worksthat drive communities of owners, individuals, and rehabilitation agents and that receive these European aids. It is the first administration to promote an agreement with entities in the financial sector for this purpose and which, in this case, translates into a new line of loans associated with the Residential Energy Rehabilitation Aid Line managed by the Agència de l'Habitatge de Catalunya (AHC) and linked to the Next Generation EU funds. The agreement has been signed by the departments of Economy and Finance and Social Rights, the Catalan Housing Agency (AHC), the Catalan Institute of Finance (ICF), Avalis de Catalunya SGR. The entities that have joined are: ARQUIA BANCA, Bankinter, BBVA, Banco de Sabadell, Banco Santander, CaixaBank, Caja de Ingenieros, Deutsche Bank, Ibercaja and UCI (Unió de Crèdits Immobiliaris).
Loan CharacteristicsThe loans will finance projects that the Agència de l'Habitatge de Catalunya (AHC) considers eligible and may cover up to 100% of the investment (including VAT). This amount will include the subsidy granted by the AHC, which will be used for early amortization of the loan and will be applied in full to reduce the amount to be paid, without altering the term of the formalized loan. A minimum grace period of one year is established from the first disbursement of the loan, during which only interest will be paid.
The investment made by property owners within the framework of energy rehabilitation aid programs will be tax deductible in the income tax return, and the subsidies received will not be taxed as income for IRPF purposes.
Agile aid line, conditioned on the reduction of energy consumptionThe aid, endowed with a budget of 480 million euros, will benefit some 60,000 homes in Catalonia and the induced investment that is expected to be mobilized amounts to 722 million euros, provided that the objectives set by these funds are achieved.
To be able to receive the planned subsidies, it must be certified that the rehabilitation works achieve:
- reduce non-renewable primary energy consumption (EPNR)
- decrease demand for air conditioning
- remove asbestos
The mechanism for requesting aid will be agile, because it simplifies the procedures for carrying out energy rehabilitation operations in homes and allows recipients direct access to European funds. The amount of the subsidy will vary depending on the reduction in energy consumption obtained once the rehabilitation has been carried out. Thus, if the reduction in EPNR consumption is greater than 30%, the subsidy will be 40%. If the reduction is 45%, the subsidy will reach 65% of the investment. And if the reduction is greater than 60%, the subsidy will reach 80%. And there may also be 100% subsidies in cases of vulnerable people. The justification of the investment for the collection of aid must be executed before June 2026.
Energy improvements can qualify for aid. ©Bill Mead Financing solutions, new section on the European funds websiteWith the aim of helping the economic and social fabric access Next Generation funds, the Generalitat makes different financing solutions available to companies to advance subsidies, complement contributions for investment projects, or present guarantees to public administrations. It does so through the Institut Català de Finances (ICF), Avalis de Catalunya SGR, or the agreement signed with financial institutions to facilitate the financing of residential energy rehabilitation works. All this information is collected on the Generalitat's European funds website:
fonseuropeus.gencat.cat, which contains a specific section explaining all the financial instruments available to both companies and individuals.