ES · Expiry & renewal tracking
REA registration: renew before it is cancelled
Contractors and subcontractors on construction sites in Spain must be registered in the REA register; registration is valid for three years and renewable for equal periods (Articles 3.1 and 6.1 of Royal Decree 1109/2007). Renewal is requested within the six months before expiry; otherwise it is cancelled automatically.
Companies that want to be hired as contractors or subcontractors for work on a construction site in Spain must be registered in the Register of Accredited Companies (Registro de Empresas Acreditadas, REA) (Article 3.1 of Royal Decree 1109/2007). Registration is single and valid throughout Spain (Article 6.1); the register belongs to the labour authority of the autonomous community where the company has its registered office (Article 6.1 of Law 32/2006).
Registration is valid for three years and renewable for equal periods. Renewal must be requested within the six months before expiry; if the validity period ends without a timely request, the registration is cancelled automatically (Article 6.1). Filing the request in time extends the registration's validity unless it is refused (Article 8.1.a).
At a glance
| Who needs it | Contractors and subcontractors on construction sites (Article 3.1) |
|---|---|
| Validity | Three years, renewable for equal periods (Article 6.1) |
| Renewal | Within the six months before expiry (Article 6.1) |
| No renewal | Automatic cancellation when validity ends (Article 6.1) |
| Changes to details | Report them within the following month (Article 3.2) |
| Competent register | The labour authority of the autonomous community of the registered office (Law 32/2006, Article 6.1) |
Who is responsible?
Each company applies for its own registration and renewal. Contractors and subcontractors must also check that the companies they subcontract meet the accreditation and registration duties (Article 7.1 of Law 32/2006). If the hiring company obtains the subcontractor's registration certificate, requested within the month before the contract starts, that duty is deemed fulfilled (Article 6.3 and 6.4 of Royal Decree 1109/2007).
If the deadline passes
Without a timely renewal request the registration is cancelled automatically (Article 6.1). Failing to meet the accreditation and registration duties makes the subcontractor and the contractor jointly liable for certain employment and social-security obligations (Article 7.2 of Law 32/2006).
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add your company and each subcontractor, and record the date their REA registration expires.
- Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before and on the day, all within the six-month renewal window.
- A subcontractor can upload its registration certificate through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign a responsible person to each registration; if the date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is REA registration valid?
- Three years, renewable for equal periods (Article 6.1 of Royal Decree 1109/2007).
- When must renewal be requested?
- Within the six months before the validity expires (Article 6.1).
- What if I requested renewal in time but have had no answer?
- Filing in time extends the registration's validity, unless a refusal is issued, until the date it is notified (Article 8.1.a).
Sources
- Real Decreto 1109/2007, que desarrolla la Ley 32/2006 reguladora de la subcontratación en el Sector de la Construcción (BOE, texto consolidado)
- Ley 32/2006, reguladora de la subcontratación en el Sector de la Construcción (BOE, texto consolidado)
Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for construction contractor register (REA) (Spain)
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Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each construction contractor register (REA) (Spain) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
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Give each construction contractor register (REA) (Spain) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.