> Short answer: The new 2026 lift regulations are based on the RD 355/2024, which approves the ITC AEM 1 "Lifts"« in force since July 1, 2024. It mandates periodic inspections every 2, 4 or 6 years depending on the building and requires that all existing lifts implement the safety measures of the Annex VII before 1 July 2031. The inspection is contracted by the owner, not the maintenance company.
If you manage a community, run a hotel, or own a building in Mallorca, this is the question we receive at our office every week: what really changes with the new 2026 lift regulations? The short answer is above. We explain the long answer here, in clear language and without fine print.
The frame is set by Royal Decree 355/2024, of April 2, this new regulation, which approves ITC AEM 1 and replaces the previous instruction from 1998, is no minor adjustment: it standardizes how lifts are commissioned, maintained, modified, and inspected throughout Spain, and for the first time establishes a concrete plan for modernizing the aging lift stock. At Eleva Balear, we have been adapting lifts to these requirements for months in Palma, Inca, and across the island, so we know where the problems typically lie.
What are RD 355/2024 and ITC AEM 1 for lifts?
Royal Decree 355/2024 is the royal decree that approves ITC AEM 1 "Lifts," the technical instruction that regulates the entire life cycle of a lift in Spain: commissioning, maintenance, modifications, and inspections. It came into force on July 1, 2024 And its major innovation is that it requires improvements to the safety of the existing lift fleet, not just the new ones.
Until now, disparate regulations coexisted, and many older lifts continued to operate with safety standards from decades ago. ITC AEM 1 brings order to the system. It defines who is responsible for the lifts. holder (the community, the hotel, or the property owner), what obligations the maintenance company has, and what role the authorized inspection bodies (OCAs) play in carrying out the inspections. You can consult the official guide and explanatory fact sheets in the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.
An important nuance that almost no one reads: the standard distinguishes between modification e increased security. Adapting your lift to the mandatory measures does not always imply a major renovation; in many buildings in the Balearic Islands we are talking about limited interventions on doors, leveling or communication.
Since when has the new lift regulations been in effect?
ITC AEM 1 has been in force since July 1, 2024, However, its implementation is phased in. From that date, any new lift or any major modification must comply with the full regulations. For existing lifts, the regulations establish a timeline that concludes in 2031, with periodic inspections serving as the mechanism to identify any outstanding issues.
The truth is, this creates quite a bit of confusion. It's not that all old lifts suddenly became illegal on July 1, 2024. What happens is that, from that date onward, each periodic inspection evaluates the lift according to the new criteria and specifies which measures from Annex VII need to be implemented. The deadline for implementing all of them is firm, as we will see.
If your building passed inspection just before July 2024, don't worry: you don't need to re-inspect it. However, it's a good idea to start planning the necessary upgrades now to avoid being scrambling by 2031.
Who is affected by the new 2026 lift regulations?
It affects every owner of a lift in serviceThis applies to homeowners' associations, developers, hotels, residences, offices, commercial premises, and private individuals with their own lifts. The legal responsibility for complying with the regulations and requesting inspections always rests with the owner, not the technician who maintains the lift.
Each situation has its own specifics. In a homeowners' association, the association itself, represented by the administrator or president, is responsible. In a hotel on the Mallorcan coast, the property owner is responsible, and its lift falls under the category of a public building, subject to more frequent inspections. If you manage tourist accommodation, you'll be interested in our guide on Hotel lifts in Mallorca, where we detail the sector's requirements.
And beware of a common mistake: many homeowners believe that, with a maintenance contract, the maintenance company takes care of everything. This is not the case. The maintenance company provides the necessary upkeep; it is the homeowner who must arrange for inspections and approve any improvements.
How often does the lift have to be inspected according to RD 355/2024?
The frequency of the mandatory inspection depends on the use and size of the building. ITC AEM 1 establishes three deadlines: every 2 years for lifts for industrial or public use, each 4 years for buildings with more than 20 dwellings or more than 4 floors, and each 6 years for the rest of the residential buildings.
For a quick overview, here is the inspection timeframe table that we use at Eleva Balear:
| Type of building | Examples | Inspection period |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial or public assembly | Hotels, hospitals, shopping centers, offices | Each 2 years |
| Housing >20 units or >4 floors | Large blocks in Palma or Inca | Each 4 years |
| Remaining residential buildings | Small, single-family communities | Each 6 years |
In addition to these periodic inspections, there are the extraordinarythese inspections are mandatory after a serious accident, a major lift modification, or a long period of outage. If you'd like to learn more about the signals and procedures, we have a specific article on [topic missing] When should a lift inspection be carried out?. And remember: the result is labeled as favorable, defective, or unfavorable; a severely unfavorable result may result in the lift being shut down. out of service until it is fixed.
Who arranges for the lift inspection, the owner or the maintenance company?
The inspection is contracted always the headline The inspection must be carried out by the lift owner or their representative (property manager, hotel manager, owner), never by the maintenance company. The owner must choose an independent, authorized inspection body (OCA), separate from the company that maintains the lift, to ensure impartiality. If the inspection is not carried out within the established timeframe, the lift may be taken out of service.
Follow these steps to avoid failing the inspection:
- Identify which category your building falls into and calculate the deadline for the next inspection.
- Locate the certificate of the last inspection (it is held by the administrator or is recorded in the CAIB industrial register).
- Hire an accredited OCA and schedule the inspection in advance.
- It facilitates access to the engine room and the pit on the day of the visit.
- Receive the report with the result and the list of defects, if any.
- Entrust your lift company to rectify the detected issues before the indicated deadline.
- Keep all documentation: it's your proof of compliance.
As lift company in the Balearic Islands, at Eleva Balear, we guide you through the entire process: we notify you of deadlines, coordinate with the OCA (Authorized Control Body), and implement the improvements. Our lift maintenance and regulatory adaptation service this tracking is integrated so that the community doesn't have to keep track of dates.
What does Annex VII require for existing lifts?
Annex VII of ITC AEM 1 is the heart of the standard for older lifts: it relates the mandatory safety measures that all existing lifts must implement within a maximum period of 7 years, that is, until July 1, 2031. These are improvements designed to reduce the most frequent accidents in equipment that has been in service for many years.
These are the measures in Annex VII that we review in each adaptation:
- Leveling accuracy in cabin, to eliminate the step that causes tripping when entering and exiting.
- Protection against automatic door closure, with photoelectric barriers or detection curtains.
- Protection against uncontrolled movements from the cabin with the doors open.
- Two-way communication permanent with a 24-hour emergency service.
- Load control system that prevents movement with excess weight.
- Replacement or reinforcement of guides and other obsolete items where applicable.
Most of these measures coincide with the lift safety measures: what are they which we already recommended before the standard. The difference is that now they are no longer just recommendations, but mandatory. In lifts older than 25 or 30 years, more than one is usually required; in modern equipment, hardly any.
How much does it cost to adapt a lift to the 2026 regulations?
There's no single figure: adapting a lift to the new 2026 regulations can range from a one-off intervention costing a few hundred euros to a complete modernization costing several thousand, depending on the condition and age of the unit. What is constant, however, is the savings achieved by planning ahead rather than waiting until the last minute in 2031.
And here's the key: adapting doesn't always mean a complete renovation. In many buildings in Mallorca, we address Annex VII requirements with specific actions regarding doors and access, without replacing the lift. In others, if the existing equipment is already inadequate, it's worthwhile to take the opportunity to modernize. If you're evaluating maintenance and adaptation quotes, you'll find it helpful to read this How much does lift maintenance cost?. We study each project on-site and provide a transparent budget, tailored to the community.
A note for new construction: if your project is a newly constructed building, in addition to ITC AEM 1 you must comply with the accessibility requirements of Technical Building Code. We developed it in lifts in new construction and their regulations.
When you DON'T have to worry about the new regulations
Not every building with a lift is in trouble. There are situations where adaptation is minimal or unnecessary:
- Lifts installed or modernized in recent years: If your equipment already incorporates precise leveling, a photoelectric curtain, and two-way communication, it is likely to comply with almost all of Annex VII.
- Buildings that have just passed a favorable inspection without defects: You don't need to redo it; just plan the next one in advance.
- Newly installed lifts under the current Directive: They were born meeting current standards.
However, even in these cases, a vehicle inspection is advisable. It's the cheapest way to confirm you're compliant and avoid surprises when the official inspection comes around.
Frequently asked questions about the new lift regulations 2026
Is it mandatory to adapt my old lift to the new 2026 lift regulations?
Yes. ITC AEM 1 of Royal Decree 355/2024 mandates that all existing lifts implement the safety measures in Annex VII by July 1, 2031. These measures are not all applied at once: periodic inspections identify what is missing in each lift. The older the lift, the more measures it is likely to require. Adapting it in advance avoids rushing, additional costs, and the risk of it being taken out of service.
What happens if I fail the mandatory lift inspection on time?
If the owner does not arrange for the periodic inspection within the corresponding period (2, 4 or 6 years), or if the inspection yields an unfavorable result with serious defects, the lift may be out of service until it is rectified. Furthermore, the holder assumes civil liability for any incident. Therefore, it is advisable to keep a schedule of expiration dates and act before the certificate expires.
Who is responsible for complying with the new lift regulations in a community?
The homeowners' association, as the owner of the lift, is responsible for its maintenance. This responsibility is represented by the property manager or the president. The association must arrange for the inspection, approve the improvements listed in Annex VII, and maintain the documentation. The maintenance company handles the technical upkeep, but this does not replace the owner's legal obligation to request inspections and order the necessary modifications.
Does the new 2026 lift regulation require the installation of a lift where there is none?
No. Royal Decree 355/2024 regulates existing lifts and their safety; it does not mandate the installation of a lift where one does not yet exist. The installation of a new lift in an older building is governed by the Horizontal Property Law and its required majority votes. If you are considering installing one, Eleva Balear can advise you on the technical feasibility and procedures within your building's community.
How much time do I have to adapt the lift to Annex VII?
The maximum term is July 1, 2031, seven years have passed since the ITC AEM 1 came into effect. It's not advisable to wait until the last minute: in 2030 and 2031, the demand for adaptations will skyrocket and implementation times will be longer. Planning the adaptation with a two- or three-year lead time allows you to budget calmly, spread the cost, and choose the best technical solution for your building.
Adapt your lift to the new regulations with Eleva Balear
The new 2026 lift regulations don't have to be a headache. At Eleva Balear, we have over 100 lifts installed, a 991% customer satisfaction rating, and our own 24/7 technical service throughout Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza. We'll inspect your lift, clearly explain the Annex VII modifications required, and carry out the adaptation with complete transparency in the budget.
Experience the peace of mind of being in good hands. Call us at +34 971 17 81 51 or write to us at quierosercliente@elevabalear.com and wequest a free, no-obligation inspection of your lift. We'll ensure your community, hotel, or building is fully compliant by 2031.
