REA construction Madrid 2026: what contractors and subcontractors must do

Key data

Construction companies and subcontractors working in Madrid cannot afford to have their REA registration expired or inactive. The Resolution of April 29, 2026 from the General Technical Secretariat extends the agreement between the Ministry and the Community of Madrid for the operation of this register, guaranteeing its administrative continuity without changes in substantive conditions.

The message for companies in the sector is clear: the system remains active, obligations do not change, and any company without current registration is automatically excluded from subcontracting chains in works.

What does this regulation establish?

The General Technical Secretariat publishes an extension amendment to the existing agreement between the Ministry and the Community of Madrid for the operation of the Register of Accredited Companies (REA) in the construction sector.

The REA is the mandatory register that certifies that a construction company or subcontractor meets the requirements regarding occupational risk prevention and training. Without current registration in this register, a company cannot participate as a subcontractor in construction works.

This amendment has a technical-administrative character: it does not modify the substantive conditions of the original agreement nor alter the registration requirements. Its only effect is to guarantee the continuity of the system, avoiding any administrative gap that could affect companies in the sector.

Economic and operational impact

This resolution does not generate new direct costs for companies. However, the economic impact of not complying with the obligation to register in the REA can be significant:

• Exclusion from works as a subcontractor: a company without current registration cannot be hired in subcontracting chains. This means direct loss of contracts and revenue.
• Administrative sanctions: non-compliance with the registration obligation can result in sanctions. Specific amounts are not specified in this resolution, but derive from construction subcontracting regulations.
• Reputational risk: lack of accreditation can generate distrust among clients and main contractors, affecting the company's ability to compete in tenders and bids.

The extension of the agreement ensures that the accreditation system does not suffer interruptions, which also protects companies already registered: their accreditation remains valid and recognized without the need for additional procedures derived from this resolution.

Who does it affect?

• Construction companies operating in the Community of Madrid and participating in subcontracting chains.
• Subcontractors in the construction sector with activity in Madrid, regardless of size.
• Main contractors who must verify the accreditation of their subcontractors before hiring them.
• Compliance and occupational safety managers in construction companies managing the validity of registrations in mandatory registers.
• Advisors and management firms serving construction sector companies in Madrid.

Practical example

An electrical installation company based in Madrid regularly works as a subcontractor on residential building projects. It has its REA registration active, but has not reviewed the expiration date for months.

With the agreement extension published on May 11, 2026, the REA remains operational without changes. This means the company must verify that its registration is still current: if it has expired, it cannot be hired as a subcontractor on any work in Madrid until it renews its accreditation. The main contractor that hires it without current registration also incurs liability.

The concrete action: check the validity date of the REA registration and, if it is about to expire or has already expired, initiate the renewal process with the Community of Madrid without delay.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify the status of REA registration: check if the registration is current, when it expires, and if it requires immediate renewal. Contact the Community of Madrid to confirm the status.
2. Initiate renewal if registration is about to expire: do not wait until the last moment. Administrative procedures may have resolution periods that should be anticipated.
3. Review the accreditation of your own subcontractors: if the company acts as a main contractor, it must verify that all its subcontractors in Madrid have current REA before hiring them.
4. Update internal occupational safety and training procedures: the REA certifies compliance in occupational risk prevention and training. Ensuring that internal documentation is up to date facilitates renewal and prevents problems in inspections.
5. Inform the purchasing and contracts team: those responsible for hiring subcontractors must take REA verification into account as a mandatory step in the supplier qualification process.

Official source

BOE-A-2026-10206 - Resolution of April 29, 2026