Law 8/2026, on the eradication of asbestos, comes into force on 3 October 2026 in Catalonia. From that date, selling or renting a property built before 2002 or a plot of land (home, premises, parking space, storage room…) requires a certificate proving the presence or absence of visible asbestos. Here's what it means, who it affects, and what's still to be settled.
It's a Catalan law on the eradication of asbestos. Its goal is to progressively reduce the presence of this material in buildings across Catalonia, and one of its tools is requiring a certificate that reports on the property's situation at the time it's sold or rented.
On 3 October 2026. From that day, sales or rentals of pre-2002 properties and land (homes, premises, parking spaces, storage rooms…) in Catalonia must have the corresponding asbestos certificate.
Both. The law treats sale and rental the same way, for both homes and commercial premises. It's not an obligation limited to sales — landlords who rent out property also need the certificate.
At minimum, it must certify the presence or absence of visible asbestos, its condition, and the associated risk. It's based on a visual inspection of the property, not laboratory analysis: it identifies what's visible and accessible, but it doesn't offer 100% scientific certainty about hidden materials.
Not entirely. The regulation that will set the final format and other technical details is still under development. In the meantime, the report must meet the minimum the law requires: presence or absence of visible asbestos, condition and risk. Once the regulation is published, I'll adapt the certificate to what it establishes.
Directly, sellers and landlords — they're the ones who must provide the certificate. Indirectly, it also affects buyers and tenants, who will have clear information about the property's situation before signing thanks to this document.
No, there was no mandatory asbestos certificate for selling or renting in Catalonia before. Law 8/2026 introduces this requirement as something new, similar to how the energy performance certificate was introduced in its time.
Get a quote →As early as possible, especially if the deal will be signed around October 2026 or later. Booking the visit with enough lead time avoids the certificate holding up signing at the notary or the rental contract at the worst possible moment.