- Required before you advertise, not just at the deed: the energy rating must appear in every listing
- Validity: 10 years, but label G only 5 years. A certificate from the previous sale has often expired
- Cost: around €100 to €300, sorted within 1 to 2 weeks
- Every certificate sits in the public register of the Generalitat Valenciana; we check it for you upfront
Anyone selling a home in Spain needs an energy certificate (certificado de eficiencia energética). And not just at the notary: the law requires the energy rating in every advert. Without a certificate, your home technically shouldn’t even be online. The good news: it’s quick and affordable to sort, once you know where you stand.
The obligation starts with the advert, not the deed
Since Real Decreto 390/2021, the certificate is required both when selling and when offering for sale. Every listing, from portal to shop window, must show the energy rating. At the deed you hand the certificate to the buyer; the notary does actually ask for it.
In practice I see it go wrong most often with homes that have been sold before: a certificate exists somewhere, everyone assumes it’s fine, and just before the deed it turns out to be expired. That’s avoidable stress at the worst possible moment.
First check whether your old certificate is still valid
An energy certificate is valid for 10 years. One exception: if your home was rated G, it’s only valid for 5 years. If you bought your home in 2017, say, and it got a certificate then, that certificate is now close to expiring or already has.
Every certificate in the Valencia region sits in the public register of the Generalitat Valenciana (IVACE), expiry date included. At my free valuation I check that register against your referencia catastral: you see straight away which rating your home has and whether it’s still valid. So you know before you advertise whether there’s work to do here.
Need a new certificate? Here’s how it works
A certified technician (architect or engineer) visits, measures the property, looks at insulation, windows, heating and orientation, and registers the certificate with IVACE. Budget €100 to €300 depending on the size of the home, and 1 to 2 weeks turnaround. You get a rating from A (efficient) to G (heavy consumption).
Honestly: on the Costa Blanca the rating is rarely a dealbreaker. Plenty of homes here score E, F or G, and buyers know it. But an expired certificate can genuinely delay your sale, and non-compliance carries fines from €300 to €6,000. For €100 to €300 you simply buy that risk away.
What this means for your sale
Put the certificate at the top of your preparation list, next to your deeds and the IBI bill. It’s one of those documents that earns you nothing but can hold up everything. Want to know whether your certificate is still valid? Request the free valuation and I’ll check the register along with the rest of your paperwork.
Questions about this
Do I already need the energy certificate to advertise?
Yes. The energy rating must appear in every listing, so the certificate has to exist before your home goes online. Not just at the notary.
How long is an energy certificate valid?
10 years, except for label G: then 5 years. Many certificates from a previous sale have expired by now, so check that first.
What does an energy certificate cost on the Costa Blanca?
Budget around €100 to €300 for an apartment or villa, depending on size. The technician visits, measures up and registers the certificate.
Further reading
- What does it cost to sell a house on the Costa Blanca? The full list (2026)
- The 3% retention when selling in Spain: how to claim it back and how long it takes
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