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REA Registration

Congratulations! If you’ve reached this page, it probably means your company has been chosen to carry out construction or assembly work in Spain.

Please note that the construction industry in Spain is governed by numerous legal and administrative requirements.

Many foreign companies learn about these requirements too late, which can delay the start of their projects.

Perhaps you’ve just received a list of unknown documents to upload to a contractor’s platform — and now you have more questions than answers.

Don’t worry — we’ll handle it for you.

What are the obligations of a foreign entrepreneur carrying out construction work in Spain?

Entry in the REA

Registro de Empresas Acreditadas en el Sector de Construcción (REA) is a registry of companies operating in the construction industry. Obtaining REA certification confirms that the company meets all legal and safety requirements to operate in the sector. It also certifies that the company’s occupational health and safety documentation complies with Spanish regulations and workplace standards.
If your company will:
  • carry out construction or assembly work,
  • post employees to Spain, or
  • act as a subcontractor on a construction project in Spain,
you must obtain REA certification in advance.

Opening a work centre

Notifying the opening of a work centre is a mandatory administrative procedure required of the main contractor. This notification allows the regional Labour Office to gather information about the type of activities performed, the companies involved, and their employees. It is later used to verify that the worksite complies with labour and health and safety requirements.

If your company will be:

  • the main contractor on a construction project, or
  • posting employees to Spain,

you must submit the Comunicación de Apertura de Centro de Trabajo before work begins.

Subcontractor register

The subcontractor register (Libro de Subcontratación) is a logbook where the main contractor records all subcontractors working under their supervision on the construction site. It must be approved by the regional Labour Office and kept on-site for inspection at any time.
If your company is:
  • the main contractor on a construction project, and
  • outsourcing part of the work to subcontractors,
you must obtain the Libro de Subcontratación in advance.

Notification of the posting of workers

Please refer to our section on Posting of Workers for detailed information on the notification process, legal requirements, and appointment of a local representative.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the REA Register?
The Registro de Empresas Acreditadas en el Sector de la Construcción (REA) — or Register of Accredited Companies in the Construction Sector — was created in 2008 by the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Economy. Its main purpose is to verify that companies, both Spanish and foreign, have the necessary infrastructure, training, and resources to perform construction activities directly and safely.
What activities are included in the construction industry?
Registration in the REA is mandatory for all companies and self-employed professionals who operate as contractors or subcontractors within the Spanish construction sector.


This includes activities such as:

  • Excavation and earthworks
  • Construction, renovation, and repair
  • Assembly and disassembly of prefabricated elements
  • Installation and equipment works
  • Maintenance, cleaning, painting, and sanitation
  • Transformation, dismantling, and demolition of structures

How long is the entry in the REA Register valid for?
The REA registration certificate is valid for three years from the date of issue. If your company continues to carry out work in Spain after that period, the registration must be renewed.

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