Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of 29 September 2026, from the General Technical Secretariat, publishing the Addendum for the extension of the Agreement with the Autonomous Community of Cantabria for the operation by electronic means of the Register of Accredited Companies in the construction sector |
|---|---|
| Publication | 10 October 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified (conditional on registration in the REOICO within 5 business days) |
| Affected parties | Construction sector companies and subcontractors operating in Cantabria |
| Category | Regulatory Changes |
| Period | 2026–2030 (4-year extension) |
| Legal framework | Law 32/2006 and Royal Decree 1109/2007 |
| Original agreement | Signed in November 2022 |
| Registration deadline in REOICO | 5 business days from the signing of the addendum |
Construction companies and subcontractors working in Cantabria can breathe easy: there are no changes to their obligations. The Resolution of 29 September 2026 from the General Technical Secretariat publishes the addendum that extends for four additional years the agreement signed in November 2022 between the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy and the Autonomous Community of Cantabria. This agreement regulates the electronic management of the Register of Accredited Companies (REA) in the construction sector.
The key for any affected company is this: the addendum does not modify any condition or commitment of the original agreement. The framework for collaboration between both administrations remains exactly the same. The only thing that changes is that the system will continue to operate for four more years.
What does this regulation establish?
The Register of Accredited Companies (REA) is a mandatory register for all companies acting as subcontractors in construction works, as established in Law 32/2006, of 18 October, regulating subcontracting in the construction sector, and its development regulation, Royal Decree 1109/2007, of 24 August.
The agreement signed in November 2022 allowed the management of this register in Cantabria to be carried out entirely by electronic means, in collaboration between the Ministry of Labor and the regional government. The addendum published on 10 October 2026 simply extends that collaboration agreement for four more years, without altering any of its conditions.
A relevant technical detail: the effectiveness of the extension is conditional on its registration in the State Register of Bodies and Cooperation Instruments (REOICO) within a maximum period of five business days from the signing of the addendum. This is an administrative requirement between the two administrations, with no direct impact on companies.
Economic and operational impact
For companies in the sector, the direct economic impact of this extension is null: no new fees are introduced, accreditation requirements are not modified, and no new documentary obligations are established.
The real impact is operational and positive in nature: the continuity of the electronic management system for the REA in Cantabria ensures that registration, renewal, and register consultation procedures will continue to be agile and accessible by telematic means for at least four more years. This avoids the uncertainty that would have been generated by a possible interruption of the agreement or a return to in-person procedures.
What does have a cost for companies is non-compliance with registration: operating as a subcontractor in construction works without being registered in the REA constitutes an infraction under Law 32/2006. However, the sanctioning regime is not subject to modification by this addendum.
Who does it affect?
- Construction companies acting as subcontractors in construction works in Cantabria.
- Construction sector subcontractors with activity in the territory of the Autonomous Community of Cantabria.
- Main contractor companies that must verify that their subcontractors are correctly registered in the REA before hiring them.
- Managers and compliance officers of construction companies with presence in Cantabria.
- Labor and legal advisors who manage REA compliance for their construction sector clients in this autonomous community.
It does not affect construction companies that operate exclusively outside Cantabria, nor other sectors of activity other than construction.
Practical example
An electrical installation company based in Santander that regularly works as a subcontractor in building works in Cantabria must be registered in the REA. Thanks to this agreement and its extension, it can manage its registration and any data updates entirely by electronic means, without the need for travel or in-person procedures.
If this company had doubts about whether the electronic system would continue to operate after the expiration of the original 2022 agreement, the addendum published on 10 October 2026 clears up that uncertainty: the system will continue to operate under the same conditions until approximately 2030. It does not need to perform any additional procedures as a direct consequence of this extension.
On the other hand, if this same company were not registered in the REA and wanted to start acting as a subcontractor, it must process its registration in the register through the enabled electronic system, complying with the requirements established in Law 32/2006 and RD 1109/2007.
What should companies do now?
- Verify registration status in the REA: Check that the company is correctly registered in the Register of Accredited Companies and that the data is up to date. The extension does not exempt from keeping the register current.
- Confirm that subcontractors are registered: If you are a main contractor company, ensure that all your subcontractors in Cantabria have their current and correct registration in the REA before starting any work.
- Continue using the electronic channel: Procedures related to the REA in Cantabria continue to be carried out by electronic means, under the same conditions as before. There are no changes in the procedure.
- Do not perform any additional procedures due to this extension: The addendum does not generate any new obligations for companies. If you were already complying, you continue to comply. If you were not complying, this extension does not regularize you: you must process your registration.
- Consult with your labor advisor if you have doubts about the accreditation requirements required by Law 32/2006 and RD 1109/2007, especially if your company has recently changed its activity or corporate structure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Register of Accredited Companies (REA) in construction?
The REA is a mandatory register, regulated by Law 32/2006 and Royal Decree 1109/2007, in which all companies acting as subcontractors in construction works must be registered. Its objective is to ensure that these companies meet the requirements of solvency, training, and prevention of occupational hazards required by the subcontracting regulations in the sector.
How long is the extension of the agreement between the Ministry of Labor and Cantabria?
The addendum published on 10 October 2026 extends the agreement for four additional years. The original agreement was signed in November 2022, so the extension extends its validity until approximately 2030.
Do the requirements for registration in the REA in Cantabria change with this extension?
No. The addendum does not modify any of the conditions or commitments of the original agreement. The accreditation and registration requirements that have been in place continue to be exactly the same. Companies do not need to perform any additional procedures as a direct consequence of this extension.
When does the agreement extension come into force?
The effectiveness of the extension is conditional on its registration in the State Register of Bodies and Cooperation Instruments (REOICO) within a maximum period of five business days from the signing of the addendum. The date of entry into force is not expressly specified in the resolution published on 10 October 2026.
What happens if a subcontractor company in Cantabria is not registered in the REA?
Operating as a subcontractor in construction works without being registered in the REA constitutes an infraction under Law 32/2006. This extension does not modify the sanctioning regime. Companies that are not registered must process their registration through the electronic system enabled by the agreement between the Ministry of Labor and the Autonomous Community of Cantabria.
Official source
View complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is merely informative in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-21149
