Royal Decree 355/2024, of April 2, published in the Official State Gazette (BOE), approves the new Supplementary Technical Instruction ITC AEM 1 "Lifts." This is the most significant overhaul of lift safety regulations in Spain in over twenty years. It affects new and existing lifts, as well as the maintenance and inspection system. In the Balearic Islands, according to industry estimates, there are approximately 11,000 lifts that will need partial or complete adaptation to comply with the new requirements.
This guide explains exactly what changes, what measures are mandatory for existing lifts, the deadlines for compliance, the cost of each action, and the risks of not adapting. It avoids unnecessary regulatory jargon.
What is ITC AEM 1 and why is it changing now?
The Supplementary Technical Instruction AEM 1 is the standard that regulates three things in Spain: the commissioning of new lifts, the modification and inspection of existing ones, and the maintenance schedule that all lifts must follow. Until April 2024, an earlier version was in effect, which was already quite outdated compared to the harmonized European standards EN 81-20 and EN 81-50, which have governed new lifts since 2017.
Royal Decree 355/2024 aligns Spain with this European regulation and adds a new component: increased safety for existing lifts. This means that not only must new lifts meet modern requirements, but older lifts must also be adapted, with varying deadlines depending on the level of risk.
The 7 mandatory measures for existing lifts according to the new regulations
Annex VII of Royal Decree 355/2024 establishes seven mandatory actions in the existing lift stock, with deadlines that may vary slightly depending on the autonomous community:
- Two-way communication system in the cabin — Allows you to speak with maintenance without a mobile phone. Mandatory in lifts without a pre-existing system or with a one-way system.
- Multi-beam photoelectric curtains — These replace older mechanical safety barriers. They detect movement across the entire doorway and reopen if an obstacle is detected.
- Replacement of obsolete guides — Wooden or cylindrical guides (typical of installations prior to the 70s) must be replaced by standardized profiles.
- Weighing system — Automatic detection of weight in the cabin to prevent movement if the maximum load is exceeded.
- Uncontrolled Movement Protection (UCMP) — System that stops the cabin if it moves with the door open or without a drive order.
- Precision leveling — The cabin's stop relative to the floor must be ±10 mm maximum, to avoid tripping and falling when entering or exiting.
- Modernization of counterweights — Adaptation or reinforcement of the counterweight according to the new structural safety requirements.
Each intervention has an implementation timeframe, depending on the associated risk and the age of the lift. The most critical measures (two-way communication, photoelectric curtains, UCMP) are among the priorities.
EN 81-20 and EN 81-50: the European basis for the new regulations for lifts
The harmonized standards EN 81-20 (on construction and installation) and EN 81-50 (on testing and examination of components) are the ones that govern all new lifts put into service in Europe since 1 September 2017. They replaced the old EN 81-1 (electric lifts) and EN 81-2 (hydraulic lifts), in force since 1998.
The main changes compared to the previous regulations:
- Cabin lighting: minimum 100 lux (previously 50 lux) and 5 lux for one hour in case of emergency.
- Refuge spaces in the cab roof and in the pit: enlarged dimensions to protect technicians during interventions.
- The glass in the opening is all laminated, not simply tempered.
- Ventilation of the shaft: responsibility of the building designer, with defined minimum flow rates.
- Redundant braking systems: dual system instead of the previous single brake.
- Lighting of the shaft for maintenance: minimum 50 lux in different critical areas.
If your lift was installed after September 2017, it already complies with these regulations. If it was installed before then, Royal Decree 355/2024 specifies which parts of the modernization must be applied retroactively.
How do I know if my lift needs to be adapted to the new regulations?
Request a technical report from the maintenance service verifying compliance with ITC AEM 1. This standardized document evaluates the seven points of Annex VII and determines which ones your lift already meets and which ones require intervention. At Eleva Balear we issue it free of charge to communities that have a contract of lift maintenance in Mallorca with us, and for a fixed rate to communities that do not yet have it.
The lifts most likely to need maintenance are those installed between 1980 and 2000, which have already undergone major upgrades but do not incorporate the latest systems. Very old lifts (pre-1980) often require comprehensive modernization instead of piecemeal adaptations, because the sum of actions exceeds the cost of replacing the entire team.
How much does it cost to adapt an old lift to the new regulations?
The indicative figures for a standard community of neighbors in Mallorca in 2026, by action:
| Performance | Indicative cost |
| Two-way communication in the cabin | €800 – €1,500 |
| Multi-beam photoelectric curtains | €1,200 – €2,500 per door |
| Load weighing system | €1,500 – €2,800 |
| Uncontrolled Movement Protection (UCMP) | €2,000 – €4,500 |
| Precision leveling | €1,500 – €3,500 |
| Replacement of obsolete guides | €4,000 – €10,000 |
| Complete modernization (includes several) | €15,000 – €25,000 |
| Complete replacement of the lift | €35,000 – €55,000 |
For a lift from the 1980s or 90s requiring 3-4 specific repairs, the total investment typically ranges from €6,000 to €14,000 for the entire building. For very old lifts with obsolete guide rails and a counterweight that needs replacing, a complete modernization or replacement with a new one is advisable, especially if it is already 25-30 years old. We explain this in When should a lift be replaced?.
Deadlines: When do I have to have everything in order?
Royal Decree 355/2024 establishes different deadlines depending on the risk of each action. The most critical measures have shorter deadlines (from one to three years from entry into force), while the less critical ones can take up to five or six years. Some autonomous communities, such as the Valencian Community, have specific extensions until July 2026 for certain measures.
In the Balearic Islands, the general deadlines of the Royal Decree apply without further extension. To know the exact deadline for each action on your specific lift, the technical adaptation report details it.
Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with the new lift regulations?
Responsibility lies with the lift owner, which in most cases is the homeowners' association. Contracting a maintenance company does not transfer this responsibility. The owner's specific obligations include:
- Have a current maintenance contract with an authorized company registered in the regional registry.
- Contracting mandatory periodic inspections independently. Since Royal Decree 355/2024, the OCA inspection cannot be delegated to the maintenance company; it must be contracted separately with an accredited inspection body. We discuss this in When should a lift inspection be carried out?.
- Safeguard the complete regulatory documentation of the appliance (maintenance book, declaration of conformity, inspection certificates).
- Stop using the lift when it does not offer safety guarantees, even if there is no express order from the administration.
- Facilitate the transfer of the registry when changing conservator companies.
What happens if I don't adapt to the new lift regulations?
The consequences of not complying with ITC AEM 1 are threefold and increase in severity:
1. Administrative sanction. The regional government can sanction the community with fines that the regulations themselves categorize as minor, serious, or very serious. Serious and very serious fines can reach several thousand euros.
2. Stoppage of the lift. If the OCA inspection detects serious non-compliance that is not remedied, the control body may order the immediate stoppage of the device until the required actions are carried out.
3. Civil liability in case of accident. The most serious. If an accident occurs with the lift (entrapment, fall, injury to user) and the subsequent inspection determines that the current regulations were not met, civil and criminal liability may fall directly on the president of the community in their capacity as legal representative.
That's why it's best not to postpone the adaptation. And it's advisable to request comparative quotes from qualified companies before accepting the first offer.
Frequently asked questions about the new lift regulations
Do I have to adapt my lift even if it passes inspections?
Yes. ITC AEM 1 is not dependent on periodic inspections: it establishes mandatory actions with their own deadlines that your lift must comply with, even if it passed the last OCA inspection. The periodic inspection verifies the safety and operational status; compliance with Royal Decree 355/2024 is an additional and simultaneous obligation.
Can I freely choose the company that makes the adaptations?
Yes. The contracted maintenance company does not have exclusivity over the modernization work. The community can request comparative quotes from several qualified companies and choose the offer they consider best. Industrial services regulations in Spain guarantee free competition.
What if my lift is from 1970 or earlier and doesn't have standardized guide rails?
In such cases, the most sensible approach is usually to consider a complete modernization or replacement with new equipment, rather than piecemeal repairs. The total cost of the seven interventions listed in Annex VII for a very old lift can approach the cost of a new machine-room-less lift, with the added advantage of obtaining a unit with a lifespan of 25-30 years longer.
Are there subsidies available to adapt the lift to the new regulations?
Yes. Regional accessibility grants and the National Housing Plan include the modernization and adaptation of existing lifts to meet regulations. Coverage typically ranges from 40% to 75% of the cost, depending on the building and residents' conditions. We cover this in the Balearic Islands grant guide.
Who decides which actions are taken first?
The technical report on compliance with ITC AEM 1, issued by the authorized company, proposes the recommended order of actions, based on the legal deadlines for each task and the actual condition of the equipment. The community decides on the final schedule, but actions with the shortest legal deadlines must be carried out first. It is advisable to group several actions into a single intervention to reduce labor and travel costs.
Request your suitability report
If your community wants to know exactly what work your lift needs to comply with Royal Decree 355/2024 and how much each step costs, request a technical compliance report from us. If you already have a maintenance contract with Eleva Balear, we'll issue it free of charge. If not, we'll provide it with a fixed price that will be deducted from the first contracted service. Call us at 971 17 81 51 or write to us from our contact form.
