In Spain, there are still many residential communities and old buildings that do not have a lift. The lack of lifts remains a major problem, especially for people with reduced mobility or the elderly. That is why the Spanish Government, as well as the autonomous regions and some local councils, offer various subsidies for the installation of lifts, the aim of which is to modernize buildings and facilitate accessibility.
There are different types of aid programs that cover part of the costs of installing lifts. In this article we will analyze the different subsidies for the installation of lifts that are currently available in Spain and we will explain the requirements necessary to access them.
What kind of subsidies are available for the installation of lifts in Spain?
Currently, the different subsidies for the installation of lifts in Spain are focused on the following sources:
- The State Plan for Access to Housing 2022-2025
- The Next Generation EU Funds
- Regional and local subsidies
Next, let's explore what each of them consists of.
State Plan for Access to Housing 2022-2025 – Installation of Lifts
This programme, promoted by the Government of Spain, aims to promote accessibility improvements in residential buildings.
Requirements to access the State Housing Access Plan:
- The building must have been built before 1996
- At least 50% of the dwellings in the building must be the habitual residence of the owners.
- A technical report must be submitted to justify the need to install a lift.
Amount of aid State Plan for Access to Housing
This aid can cover up to 40% of the cost of installing the lift, and can reach up to 75% if the income of the residents is three times lower than the IPREM or when people with disabilities or over 65 years of age live in the building.
The amounts can be:
- Up to 8,000 euros per home for the installation of lifts.
- Up to 14,000 euros if a disabled person lives in the home.
- Up to 17,000 euros if the disability is severe.
- Increase of 1,000 euros per dwelling if the building is a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC).
- Increase of 25% in aid if the beneficiaries are under 35 years old and reside in municipalities with less than 5,000 inhabitants.
How to apply for assistance from the State Housing Access Plan 2022-2025 to install a lift?
Applications for these grants must be made through the Autonomous Communities and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla. Therefore, the application form and deadlines may vary between communities. It will be necessary to contact the autonomous governments or, by extension, the town councils, to request these grants for the installation of lifts.
In any case, the steps to follow to request assistance are:
- Agree at a meeting between the owners of the community of neighbors on the installation of a lift and the request for assistance.
- Hire a professional to prepare a technical report justifying the need to install a lift in the building.
- Gather all the necessary documentation, including the detailed budget and the registration certificates of at least 50% of the residents. As well as the necessary documentation to justify the income level or age of the residents, in case you want to request an increase in the amount up to 75% of the cost of installing the lift.
- Submit the application at the corresponding office in each autonomous community within the corresponding period.
Next Generation EU funds for the installation of lifts
The Next Generation EU Funds are European funds whose amount is intended for the rehabilitation and improvement of energy efficiency and accessibility of homes. Therefore, they could be used to install lifts in communities of neighbors that do not have them.
Requirements to access Next Generation EU Funds for the installation of lifts:
- The building must be at least 10 years old.
- No grants must have been received for the same purpose in the last 5 years.
- The works must achieve the objective of reducing the building's energy consumption by at least 30%.
Amount of aid – Next Generation EU funds for the installation of lifts
This aid can cover up to 100% of the installation costs of a lift, if you can demonstrate financial vulnerability.
The amount of aid, in general, will depend on the energy savings achieved with the works:
- Savings between 30% and 45%: Subsidy of up to 6,300 euros per home.
- Savings between 45% and 60%: Subsidy of up to 11,800 euros per home.
- Savings of more than 60%: Subsidy of up to 18,800 euros per home.
The calls for applications and deadlines for these grants also depend on each Autonomous Community.
However, you should know that the steps to follow to request this grant are:
- Develop the technical project that explains the actions to be carried out.
- Submit the project and documentation to the office designated by each autonomous community.
- Once the grant has been approved, you can proceed with the construction work within the established deadlines.
Subsidies for the installation of lifts in the Balearic Islands
In the Balearic Islands, subsidies for the installation of lifts are part of the State Plan for Access to Housing 2022-2025 and are financed by the Next Generation EU Funds. The entity responsible for managing and granting these grants is the Department of Social Affairs and Sports.
For more information on current calls for applications and specific requirements, we recommend consulting the official website of the Ministry or contacting its offices directly.
At Eleva Balear we are specialists in lift installation
At Eleva Balear, specialists in lifts in Mallorca, we offer a comprehensive service for the installation and maintenance of lifts, helping communities of owners to access the subsidies for the installation of lifts.
As specialists in installation of lifts in Mallorca, we can advise you on the subsidies available in the Balearic Islands.
