Key data
| Regulation | Royal Decree 563/2026, of July 8, approving the Bylaws of the Institute of Sworn Auditors of Spain |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | July 10, 2026 |
| Entry into force | July 30, 2026 (20 days after publication) |
| Replaces | ICJCE Bylaws in force since 1982 |
| Reference standard | Law 22/2015, on Audit of Accounts |
| Affected parties | Auditors of accounts, audit firms and ICJCE members |
| Category | Business Regulation |
| Public supervision | ICAC (Institute of Accounting and Audit of Accounts) |
Auditors of accounts and audit firms registered in the Institute of Sworn Auditors of Spain (ICJCE) operate from July 30, 2026 under a completely new statutory framework. Royal Decree 563/2026, of July 8, ends the 1982 bylaws—in force for more than four decades—and replaces them with a text adapted to the Law 22/2015 on Audit of Accounts.
This is not a minor adjustment. The new text redesigns the Institute's internal governance, establishes a proportional electoral system, precisely defines the technical functions of the ICJCE and creates a disciplinary regime structured in three levels. For any professional or firm operating under the Institute's umbrella, understanding these changes is not optional.
What does this regulation establish?
Royal Decree 563/2026 redefines the ICJCE as a Public Law Corporation representative of auditors and audit firms. This legal configuration grants it internal regulatory capacity and representative capacity before public administrations.
The most relevant changes are articulated in four blocks:
1. Technical functions of the Institute
The ICJCE is enabled to develop and elaborate:
- Technical audit standards
- Professional ethics standards
- Internal quality control standards
2. New governance structure
The Institute is organized around two governing bodies, under principles of democracy and corporate participation:
| Body | Nature |
|---|---|
| General Assembly | Supreme body of representation of members |
| Board of Directors | Body of government and ordinary management |
3. Electoral system and economic regime
A proportional electoral system is established for the election of governing bodies. The Institute will also have its own economic regime, differentiated from the public budget.
4. Internal disciplinary regime
A system of infractions is created structured in three levels:
| Infraction level | Type |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Minor infractions |
| Level 2 | Serious infractions |
| Level 3 | Very serious infractions |
The regulation does not detail in the published text the specific amounts of sanctions associated with each level. For the exact details of the consequences for infraction, the full text of the Royal Decree in the BOE must be consulted.
Comparison: before and after
| Aspect | 1982 Bylaws | Royal Decree 563/2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Legal reference framework | Regulations prior to Law 22/2015 | Adapted to Law 22/2015 on Audit of Accounts |
| Governing bodies | Previous structure not detailed in the new text | General Assembly + Board of Directors |
| Electoral system | Not specified in the new bylaws | Proportional system |
| Disciplinary regime | No three-level structure defined | Minor, serious and very serious infractions |
| Normative functions | Not updated to current standards | Technical standards, ethics and internal quality control |
| Public supervision | ICAC | ICAC (no changes) |
Economic and operational impact
The direct impact of this Royal Decree is not fiscal in nature for audited companies, but rather organizational and compliance for the auditors and audit firms that are members of the ICJCE.
The most relevant operational effects are:
- Adaptation to new technical standards: the ICJCE will be able to update audit, ethics and quality control standards. Firms will need to incorporate these changes into their internal procedures.
- Electoral participation: the new proportional system means that members will have to know and exercise their voting rights in the election of governing bodies.
- Exposure to the disciplinary regime: the formalization of infractions in three levels (minor, serious and very serious) introduces greater legal certainty, but also greater exposure to formalized sanctions if the Institute's internal rules are not complied with.
- Own economic regime: the Institute will manage its resources autonomously, which may affect the fees or contributions of members, although the text does not specify specific amounts.
Who does it affect?
- Auditors of accounts registered in the ICJCE
- Audit firms that are members of the Institute
- ICJCE governing bodies (General Assembly and Board of Directors, in the process of adaptation)
- Audited companies indirectly, to the extent that the technical standards developed by the Institute affect the applicable audit procedures
- ICAC, which maintains public supervision of audit activity independently of the new bylaws