Cedula de Habitabilidad — Spanish Property Glossary

The cedula de habitabilidad (habitability certificate) is an official document issued by the regional government confirming that a dwelling meets the minimum standards for human habitation. These standards cover aspects such as minimum room sizes, ceiling heights, ventilation, natural light, sanitation, and access to water and electricity. The certificate is required in several autonomous communities (though not all) for connecting utilities, registering a rental contract, and completing a property sale. It is issued after an architect inspects the property and certifies compliance. For new builds, the developer obtains the cedula as part of the completion process, alongside the licencia de primera ocupacion. For resale properties, the seller should provide a valid cedula, which typically has a validity of 10 to 25 years depending on the region. In some communities like Catalonia and Valencia, a cedula is mandatory for any property sale. If it has expired, the seller must arrange a new inspection and certificate before completion. The cost of obtaining a new cedula is usually 100 to 250 EUR including the architect's fee.