Housing Purchase Assistance in Catalonia
Accessing home ownership remains one of the main challenges for young people in Catalonia. Aware of this, the Institut Català de Finances (ICF) has reissued one of the main housing purchase aids in Catalonia: the "Préstec ICF Habitatge Emancipació" programme.
Approved by Resolution TER/2245/2025, of 13 June, it is intended to facilitate access to the real estate market by financing the initial amount of the purchase.
ICF Habitatge Emancipació Loan: how to access your first home in Catalonia with public assistance
What does the Préstec ICF Habitatge Emancipació consist of?
The ICF Habitatge Emancipació 2025 Loan is assistance for the purchase of housing in Catalonia in the form of a complementary loan that allows financing up to 20% of the purchase price of a main residence, with a maximum amount of €24,000.
It is not a grant, but a personal loan, with a fixed interest rate and very favourable conditions. Its main objective is to help young people overcome the initial barrier of the down payment, which is generally not covered by the bank mortgage.
Requirements to access the loan
To access these grants for the purchase of a first home in Catalonia for young people, it is necessary to meet a series of requirements that we will see below.
Applicant profile
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Be registered as a resident in Catalonia.
- Not have been the owner of another property.
- The property must be intended as a habitual and permanent residence.
The gross annual income of all members of the future household unit (including minors and persons who do not apply for the loan) must not exceed the Catalonia Sufficiency Income Indicator (IRSC) multiplied by 6.5, bearing in mind that the IPREM as of 1 January 2025 is €778.49 per month, equivalent to €9,341.92 per year.
In the case of joint acquisition, all co-holders must meet the above requirements.
What conditions must the housing meet?
The property acquired with the Préstec ICF Habitatge Emancipació must meet a series of essential requirements:
- It must be located within the territory of Catalonia.
- It must have a valid certificate of occupancy at the time of application.
- It cannot be a dwelling classified as protected housing (HPO).
- It can be either a new or second-hand dwelling.
Additionally, it will be necessary to provide the cadastral reference of the property at the time of submitting the application to the ICF.
Learn about the functionality of the certificate of occupancy here:
Financial conditions of the ICF youth loan
- Amount. The loan amount may cover up to 20% of the purchase or appraisal value of the property (whichever is lower), with an absolute maximum of €50,000.
- Term. The loan has a duration of up to 35 years, including a grace period of 30 years. This means that it will not be necessary to repay it until the bank mortgage has been fully paid off. Once finished, the borrower has up to 5 years to repay the loan in monthly instalments.
- Interest rate. Fixed interest of 0% throughout the life of the loan.
- Fees. No fees are applied for opening, early repayment or cancellation.
How do you apply for the Préstec ICF Habitatge Emancipació to obtain the housing purchase aid in Catalonia?
Step by step to process it correctly
- Obtain the mortgage pre-approval from a banking institution
- Gather the documentation:
- DNI/NIE
- Deposit agreement
- Income tax return
- Certificate of registration
- Access the online form on the ICF website
- Submit the application with a digital certificate
- If approved, formalise the loan before a Notary
The call will remain open from June 2025 until funds are exhausted.
Obtain related information about this documentation:
Main advantages of the Préstec ICF Habitatge Emancipació
- Allows purchasing without the need for large initial savings.
- Complements the bank mortgage.
- 0% interest rate.
- No commissions or hidden fees.
- Digital and simple processing.
- Notarial formalisation guaranteeing legal security.
Notarial recommendations: how to avoid mistakes when formalising the purchase
At JLA Notarios we recommend seeking professional advice before signing any document. These are some key points to check:
- Deposit agreement: it must foresee the existence of the ICF loan and make the sale subject to its granting.
- Registry status of the property: free of charges, seizures or urban planning restrictions.
- Coordination with the bank and with the ICF to avoid duplications or overlaps between the loan and the mortgage.
- Drafting of the personal loan in accordance with the requirements of the Institut Català de Finances.
Are there other aids for young people buying a home in Catalonia?
Yes. The ICF loan can be complemented with other regional or state measures:
Reduction of the ITP (Property Transfer Tax)
- Young people under 35 years old.
- Main residence with a price below €300,000.
- Reduced ITP at 5% instead of 10%.
You can read more about it in this post:
Young rental voucher
- Direct subsidy for tenants under 36 years old with a legal contract.
- Compatible with purchase aid in cases of changing residence.
Municipal promotions of public housing
- Councils such as Barcelona, Girona or Tarragona offer flats for sale or rent for young people.
Frequently asked questions about assistance for the purchase of a first home in Catalonia
It is a personal loan promoted by the Institut Català de Finances that allows young people up to 35 years old to finance up to 20% of the purchase price of their first main residence in Catalonia. Unlike a grant, it must be repaid within a maximum period of 10 years, but with very favourable conditions: fixed interest rate of 2.5%, with no opening or cancellation fees.
Yes. This loan is designed to complement the bank mortgage. It does not replace the mortgage, but covers the amount that the bank normally does not finance: the deposit. Therefore, it is required to prove the pre-approval of the mortgage as a prerequisite to access this public aid.
Yes, provided that both buyers meet the requirements: be between 18 and 35 years old, reside in Catalonia, have not owned another property, and do not exceed the income threshold. In that case, both will be co-holders of the loan and must sign it before a Notary.
No. The loan principal is not paid directly to the applicant, but is specifically allocated to the payment of the property deposit. This use must be reflected in the public deed of the loan, signed before a Notary along with the sale contract.
The notarial intervention is essential to guarantee legal security. The Notary reviews the deposit contract, checks the registration status of the property, coordinates with the bank and the ICF, and authorises the loan deed. Their role protects the buyer and ensures the legality of the process.
Conclusion: a great opportunity for young people who want to become independent
In a context of difficulty accessing housing, the Préstec ICF Habitatge Emancipació represents an effective and realistic tool to facilitate access to property in Catalonia.
At JLA Notarios, as a notary for home purchase and mortgage deeds we accompany you through all stages of the process: document review, prior advice, coordination with the bank and the ICF, and secure and surprise-free notarial formalisation.
If you are thinking of buying your first home, do not hesitate to contact our Notary in Barcelona so that we can help you take this step with the utmost legal security.
