How to Obtain a Building Permit in Barcelona Step by Step

Determine what level of processing you need based on the scope of the work:

• Assabentat (Free/Immediate Notice): Minor works such as painting, changing tiles or renovating sanitary ware without touching the layout.
• Comunicat Previ (Minor Work): Reforms that modify the internal distribution (tearing down or building partitions) without affecting structural elements or facades.
• Major License: Interventions in structural elements (beams, load-bearing walls), facades or protected buildings.

For procedures such as the Comunicat Previ or the Llicència Mayor , you will need the support of a registered architect or technician. You will need to gather the technical project, the plans of the current and proposed renovations, the descriptive report, and the detailed budget for the work.

Access the Barcelona City Council 's online services portal using a digital certificate or Cl@ve key. Select the appropriate option based on the type of technical intervention and complete the official forms with the property details and the owner's information.

Generate and carry out the self-assessment of processing fees and the Tax on Construction, Installations and Works (ICIO) , which in Barcelona is equivalent to a percentage of the budget for the material execution of the work.

Once the notification has been accepted or the license granted, download the authorization document. It is mandatory to notify the homeowners' association and print the notification to post it at the building entrance or on the door of your home for the entire duration of the work.