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Catalonia Launches Rural Statute With Housing Funds, Tax Breaks, and Technical Support

Rural mayors demand swift, well-funded execution to halt service losses causing depopulation.

Overview

  • At Món Sant Benet, President Salvador Illa convened roughly 300 mayors to begin the operational rollout of the Estatuto de Municipios Rurales.
  • Housing actions include €20 million per year to buy about 100 affordable homes and a €5 million annual rehabilitation program through 2029 that the Consell Executiu is set to approve next.
  • The Housing Agency will launch a Rural Housing Pool with comarca councils to mobilize vacant public buildings and private homes for affordable rentals.
  • Fiscal incentives feature a cut of the property transfer tax to 4%—3% in priority municipalities—plus a 75% notarial fee reduction and, from 2026, IRPF deductions up to 20% for relocation, purchase, rehabilitation and rent.
  • Administrative and service support includes a six-person Incasòl Rural unit, a regulatory study group and a planned Territory Law draft in early 2026, exploration of Infraestructures.cat as a contracting vehicle for towns, an extra €7.5 million for the Local Cooperation Fund, and a push from 7,500 km of public fiber reaching 684 municipalities toward full coverage this legislature.