If you are thinking of replacing your boiler in Barcelona in 2026, there is something you should know before looking for information: the rules of the game changed significantly in January 2025. European regulations no longer allow subsidies for boilers that run exclusively on fossil fuels, which includes conventional natural gas boilers.
This does not mean there are no grants — on the contrary, there are several active schemes with amounts of up to €6,000 per home in the case of Barcelona city. But it does mean that the type of equipment you can fund with public money has changed, and that much of the information circulating online about the “gas boiler replacement plan” (Plan Renove) is out of date or simply wrong.
In this guide we explain the real situation in 2026: which grants exist, who they are for, how much you can receive and how to apply, with particular attention to the specific schemes in Barcelona and Catalonia.
What has changed: the turning point of January 2025
Until 2024, the boiler replacement plan allowed subsidies for replacing old boilers with new condensing gas boilers. It was a simple scheme: old boiler out, new more efficient boiler in, with grants of between €350 and €1,000 depending on the region.
Since 1 January 2025, the European Energy-related Products Directive (ErP) excludes from public subsidies any appliance that runs exclusively on fossil fuels. This includes natural gas boilers, even high-efficiency condensing ones.
What this means in practice for anyone wanting to replace their boiler in Barcelona:
- There is no longer a direct grant for buying a new gas boiler, even an A+++ condensing model.
- There are grants for systems that use renewable energy or that represent a real transition towards decarbonisation.
- A condensing gas boiler remains a technically and economically valid option for many homes — it simply no longer has direct public funding.
- If your boiler is more than 10-15 years old and you need to replace it urgently, you can do so with a new condensing boiler without a grant, or look into whether a heat pump or other renewable system is feasible in your case.
Grants available in Barcelona in 2026
1. Energy Renovation Programme of the Barcelona Housing Consortium
This is the most specific grant for homeowners in Barcelona city and one of the most generous. It is funded by Next Generation EU funds and managed by the Barcelona Housing Consortium (Consorci de l’Habitatge de Barcelona).
What it covers: energy-efficiency improvements in the main residence, including replacing heating systems that swap fossil fuels for renewable energy or biomass. It also covers insulation, window replacement and energy control systems.
Amount: up to €6,000 per home for works that include a heat pump or other renewable systems. The minimum cost of the works must be €1,000.
Deadline: works completed before 30 June 2026. Applications must be submitted within the same period.
Key requirement: the home must be the applicant’s main residence. It does not apply to second homes or tourist rentals.
How to apply: online through the Barcelona Housing Consortium’s procedures portal. A digital certificate and technical documentation are required.
Important note: this call closes in June 2026. If you have the works planned, do not leave the application to the last minute, as the budget may run out before the official deadline.
2. ICAEN – Building Energy Renovation Programme (PREE)
The Catalan Energy Institute (ICAEN) manages the national PREE programme in Catalonia, funded by the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR) with European funds.
What it covers: more efficient heating installations based on renewable energy (heat pumps, solar thermal, biomass), improvements to the building envelope, and heating and hot-water systems that eliminate the use of fossil fuels. It expressly excludes work on heat generators that use fossil fuels.
Amount: up to 40% of the installation cost, with a maximum of €3,000 per home for individual works. For residents’ associations the amounts are higher.
Who can apply: owners of a main residence or residents’ associations. The age of the building is not a requirement.
Technical requirement: the works must achieve at least a 30% saving in non-renewable energy, certified by an energy performance certificate before and after the works.
How to apply: online through the ICAEN portal (icaen.gencat.cat), with a digital certificate. A technical study, report and quotes from an authorised installation company are required.
3. Income tax (IRPF) deductions for energy efficiency
Although not a direct grant, national tax deductions are compatible with the grants above and can mean a very significant additional saving for homeowners who pay Spanish income tax.
20% deduction: for works that reduce the heating and cooling demand on the energy certificate by at least 7%. Maximum base: €5,000 per year.
40% deduction: for works that reduce non-renewable primary energy consumption by at least 30%, or improve the home’s energy rating to class A or B. Maximum base: €7,500 per year.
60% deduction: for comprehensive energy renovation of whole buildings (residents’ associations) that reduce the building’s consumption by 30% or improve its rating to A or B. Cumulative base: up to €15,000 (€5,000 a year over 3 years).
Compatibility: these deductions are compatible with the direct grants from ICAEN and the Barcelona Housing Consortium, although you can only deduct the amount actually paid out of your own pocket (not the part already subsidised).
4. Energy Savings Certificates (CAE)
The CAE system is less well known but can be very relevant if you replace a gas boiler with a heat pump. It lets you monetise the installation’s certified energy saving by selling the certificates to energy retailers, which are obliged to buy them.
How it works: after installing the heat pump (or any system that delivers a certifiable saving compared with the previous one), the saving in kWh is calculated and a CAE is generated, which can be sold through a manager or aggregator.
How much it is worth: the amount depends on the certified saving and the market price of CAEs at the time of sale. In practice, for replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump in a standard Barcelona flat it can represent between €300 and €800.
Compatibility: it is compatible with ICAEN grants and tax deductions, as long as the same cost is not funded twice.
| Grant | Managed by | Maximum amount | Deadline | Who for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona Housing Consortium | Barcelona City Council | €6,000/home | Until 30/06/2026 | Homeowners in Barcelona city |
| PREE – ICAEN | Catalan Government | €3,000/home | Until funds run out | All of Catalonia |
| IRPF deduction 20% | National | Up to €1,000/year | Annual | Homeowners |
| IRPF deduction 40% | National | Up to €3,000/year | Annual | Homeowners |
| CAE | Private market | approx. €300–800 | No deadline | Everyone |
Which systems can be funded in 2026?
Given the new regulations, the works eligible for grants in 2026 are:
Aerothermal heat pump (air-to-water): the most common alternative to an individual gas boiler. It provides heating, cooling and domestic hot water with electricity consumption 3 to 5 times lower than an electric resistance heater. In Barcelona, with its mild winters, it performs excellently. It is the measure that attracts the most grants in 2026.
Hybrid systems (boiler + heat pump): some grant schemes accept hybrid systems combining a heat pump with a back-up boiler, provided the renewable part is the main one. Check each call to see whether this configuration is accepted.
Solar thermal for hot water: solar collector installations for domestic hot water. They have less impact than a heat pump but can complement any existing system.
Biomass: pellet or wood-chip boilers for heating. Technically eligible for grants, but they need space for the silo and fuel handling. More common in detached houses than in Barcelona flats.
What if I need to replace my gas boiler right now?
This is the real question most people arriving at this page are asking. The honest answer is:
If your boiler has a serious fault or is more than 15-20 years old and no longer works well, replacing it with a new high-efficiency condensing boiler is still perfectly valid technically. You will not get a direct grant for it, but:
- A new condensing boiler uses 15-25% less gas than an old conventional boiler.
- The cost of the replacement (unit + installation) ranges from €1,600 to €2,700 in Barcelona depending on the model (see installed prices), which is recouped through energy savings in 3-6 years.
- In Barcelona, where natural gas is the most widespread fuel and the network is fully established, a condensing boiler remains the simplest and cheapest short-term solution for many homes.
- If new grant schemes for condensing boilers are introduced in the future (which cannot be ruled out as energy policy evolves), you could benefit from them if you install now.
If, on the other hand, your situation allows you to plan ahead and the building is technically suitable, looking into a heat pump makes sense both economically and environmentally, and the current grants make the net cost very competitive.
Documentation needed to apply for the grants
Regardless of the scheme, these documents are generally required:
- Applicant’s DNI or NIE
- Title deed or land registry extract for the property
- Energy performance certificate prior to the works (issued by a qualified technician)
- Itemised quote from an authorised installation company
- Technical project or technical report for the installation
- Photographs of the current state of the installation
- The specific application form for each call
- Bank details to receive payment
After the works are completed:
- Invoices and proof of payment
- Installation certificate issued by the installer
- Energy performance certificate after the works
- Photographs of the final result
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the grant before doing the work? It depends on the scheme. The Barcelona Housing Consortium allows works already started in some cases, but the general rule is to apply for the grant before carrying out the works. Always check the rules of the specific call before proceeding.
Can a rented flat get the grants? The Barcelona Housing Consortium grants are limited to the owner’s main residence. ICAEN grants may have different conditions depending on the call. Tourist rentals are expressly excluded.
Can residents’ associations apply for grants? Yes, and in many cases for higher amounts than individual homes. The second IDAE call of 2026 allows residents’ associations to fund up to 100% of the cost of collective heat pump or photovoltaic installations.
How long does it take for the grant to be decided? Between 3 and 6 months from the application, depending on the scheme and the volume of applications. In calls with a limited budget (such as ICAEN’s), applying quickly is decisive.
Who processes the grant, the installer or me? It depends on the scheme. In some cases the installer can process it directly. In others, the owner must do so through the relevant online portal. At JAG Alcaide we advise you on which schemes apply to your case and how to proceed with the documentation.
How much can I save in total by combining the grants?
A real example for a Barcelona flat replacing a 20-year-old gas boiler with a heat pump system:
- Total installation cost (unit + works): approx. €8,000-10,000
- Barcelona Housing Consortium grant: up to €6,000
- ICAEN grant (PREE): up to €3,000 (compatible, without funding the same cost twice)
- 40% IRPF deduction: up to €3,000 a year on the amount paid out of pocket
- CAE: approx. €500
- Approximate net cost for the owner: between €0 and €3,000 depending on how many grants are compatible with their case and whether they meet the energy-saving requirements.
Note: these figures are indicative. The actual compatibility between the different grants and the exact amounts depend on the specific requirements of each call. We recommend a technical consultation before starting the process.
Not sure which option is right for you?
At JAG Alcaide we have been installing heating systems in Barcelona for more than 73 years. We help you assess whether a heat pump, a hybrid system or a straight replacement with a condensing boiler is the best option for your home, and we guide you on which grants you can apply for depending on your situation.
Call us on 93 218 58 47 or message us on WhatsApp at 616 946 678. We carry out free, no-obligation technical visits in Barcelona and its metropolitan area.
Article written and checked by the JAG Alcaide technical team. Last updated: September 2026. Grant information may change according to the calls in force. Always check the official rules of each programme before applying.
