Spain

15

Companies Assessed

15

Regulations Analyzed

€109.6

Billion Invested

The construction sector is a key economic pillar in Spain, contributing an estimated 5.3% of GDP, and is expected to grow faster than in other European countries over the next five years. Whereas the sector is largely composed of small, specialised firms with a strong local orientation, sector leadership lies with a handful of large, publicly listed groups that maintain a significant international presence.

At the same time, the Spanish construction sector faces its own challenges. A housing deficit drives price hikes, and the existing stock is ageing and inefficient, requiring modernisation or refurbishment. Furthermore, less than 1% of the houses are truly accessible for people with disabilities or reduced mobility.

Some other facts:

  • The Spanish construction sector accounts for 30% of energy consumption and 25% of greenhouse gas emissions, only 8.2% of which are direct emissions associated with fuel consumption in the buildings.

  • Residences account for 60% of the total energy use in the building sector.

  • The Spanish construction sector generates nearly half of the country's total waste. Up to 54% of the construction and demolition sector ends up in landfills.

  • Approximately 40% of the extracted materials are used in construction, and the production of construction materials causes more than 80% of the biodiversity loss associated with the building sector.

In 2024, Spain saw investments of € 109.6 billion in constructing and renovating buildings, making it the fourth-largest market in Europe. The residential market accounted for 61%, while the non-residential market made up 39%.

Residential

61.41%

38.59%

Non-residential

€54.4

BILLION

+

New Housebuilding

€12.9

BILLION

=

Renovation

€67.3

BILLION

Residential Investment

€42.3

BILLION

Non-Residential Investment

To encourage more sustainable practices in the Spanish construction market, it is essential that government regulations set a clear direction and targets, and that the organisations that commission new buildings and renovation projects (the construction clients) adopt and implement strong sustainability policies. These pages, therefore, provides an overview of three important aspects influencing the transition of the Spanish construction sector towards sustainable practices:

ANALYSIS

Analysis of the regulatory landscape related to sustainability in the built environment

IDENTIFICATION

Identification of major construction clients driving the country construction sector

ASSESSMENT

Assessment of the sustainability policies of major construction clients

Below is an overview of the regulatory landscape related to sustainability in the built environment in Spain. The analysis first examines whether and how Spain has implemented relevant EU policies in its national regulations (the full description of these EU policies can be found here). Then we look at other Spanish regulations that stimulate sustainable practices in the Spanish construction sector.