Barcelona and the EIB place innovation in construction at the center to promote affordable and sustainable housing

Housing Glossary

You will find information here on all topics relating to housing in Barcelona

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Accrued interest

The interest applied as a penalisation when the debtor does not comply with repayment obligations. The amount must be established in the contract.

Active supermortgage

This allows the client to choose their loan's benchmark index (MIBOR at three months, six months or a year) so that payment can benefit from lower interest rates sooner.

Adaptable instalment

Characteristic of UCI superloans that allow the borrower to not pay one instalment a year for the first three years if there are problems due to holidays, extraordinary expenses, etc.

Advanced cancellation fee

A commission arising from the financial risk involved in the advanced cancellation of an operation. The applied commission compensates the financial institution for its financial losses.

AEDE

Direct state aid for paying the deposit on a property.

Affordable housing

Group of social housing or dwellings from social renovation projects that are sold or rented at below-market prices.

Affordable rent

The cost of renting these dwellings is below market prices after being included in operations concerning the rented flat pool, social renovation or social housing promotions.

Amortisation

Payment made to repay a loan.

Amortisation period

The duration of the loan. The contract establishes the date of the first and last payments. The longer the period, the lower the payments are, but the higher the interest. You therefore pay more in the end. The monthly instalment should not exceed 35% of your net income.

API

Estate agent. A qualified professional who acts as an intermediary between the two interested parties to facilitate the signing of a real estate contract, which can be a rental agreement, a sales agreement or another similar contract. They usually charge a percentage of the sales price as compensation or commission.

Applicant

A citizen who makes a registration application to the Barcelona Social Housing Applicants Registry, and who represents the other members of the dwelling unit included in the application.

APR

Annual Equivalent Rate. Effective annual cost of the mortgage in terms of interest, commissions and the repayment period. To compare loans, it is not enough to just look at the lowest APR, you also have to compare the conditions, the repayment period and the distribution of instalment payments.

Arbitri municipal de plusvàlua

Former denomination of the capital gains tax on landed property.

Assessment

The value of a dwelling certified by a specialised assessment company, in accordance with the mortgage market law. This certificate not only indicates the real value of the property, it also serves as a reference for obtaining the necessary financing.

Authorisation

Document in which the owner authorises the tenant to carry out building work in the dwelling's interior.

Strategies and success stories from the sector will be shared at a conference that will bring together administrations, companies, and professionals on October 30.

Barcelona and the European Investment Bank (EIB) are promoting a debate on how innovation in construction can increase the supply of affordable and energy-efficient housing. The event, to be held on October 30, will bring together European and local institutional representatives, housing operators, and industry professionals. It will serve as a platform to share strategies, success stories, and practices that encourage the implementation of new technologies.

According to EIB data, only 24% of European construction companies implement some type of innovation — a deficit that highlights the need to strengthen collaboration between public and private actors. For this reason, the conference will also address how digitalization, industrialized construction, and new sustainable materials can boost productivity and reduce costs in the sector.

In addition, the event will feature a Mayors for Housing roundtable — the European alliance of mayors that brings together more than 15 cities to urge the European Union to take stronger action in response to the housing crisis.

The event will take place on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Meier Auditorium of the MACBA | Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona.

New boost for social housing in Barcelona

In this context, Barcelona is promoting 641 public rental housing units with €113 million in financing from the EIB. The Municipal Council Plenary has authorized the Municipal Institute of Housing and Renovation of Barcelona (IMHAB) to formalize a new loan that will enable the construction of nine public social rental housing developments, totaling 641 new units to be built between 2026 and 2030.

The loan, which covers 70% of the total cost, will be formalized in the coming weeks and will allow construction to begin progressively between 2026 and 2028, with completion expected before 2030.