Catalonia faces a political clash on two fronts: immigration and home energy efficiency. On one side, Vox, a right-wing political party, is ramping up its rhetoric against what it calls ‘Islamization and mass immigration.’ On the other, new figures reveal that over 34,000 Catalan homes have benefited from government incentives designed to improve energy efficiency as part of the ‘social shield’ measures.
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Figures accessed by *Ara* newspaper, drawing from the Special Rehabilitation Bulletin, the Housing and Land Observatory, and the Tax Agency, reveal that 34,383 homes in Catalonia have benefited from building rehabilitation deductions between 2021 and 2024. Incorporated into the Personal Income Tax (IRPF), these deductions encourage homeowners to improve their properties’ energy efficiency.
Energy Efficiency Incentives
These incentives form part of Spain’s Recovery Plan, connected to European funds, with 6.82 billion euros significantly earmarked for housing. Tax breaks, detailed in guides published by the Tax Agency, apply to individual homes and residential buildings. They range from 20% to 60%, depending on the reduction in non-renewable energy consumption achieved.
The number of homes utilising these incentives has steadily increased, from just 378 in 2021 to 12,044 in 2024. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda anticipates this trend will continue, expecting further rises in 2026. This is due to current trends and the deductions’ complementary nature to other Recovery Plan rehabilitation aid programmes.
Specifically, a 20% deduction applies to primary residence improvements that reduce heating and cooling demand by 7%. A 40% deduction is available for primary residences or rental properties that cut energy consumption by 30% or improve their energy rating. Finally, a 60% deduction targets energy rehabilitation work on entire residential buildings demonstrating a 30% consumption reduction or achieving an A or B energy rating. The College of Architects of Catalonia (COAC) provides further details on extending these deductions for home and residential building energy improvements.
These mutually incompatible deductions require an energy certificate to demonstrate improvements, and a maximum deductible amount applies to the IRPF. Provisional data from the Tax Agency, accessed by *Ara*, shows 122,527 IRPF declarations across Spain included energy rehabilitation deductions in 2024, saving taxpayers 239.8 million euros. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda estimates Catalan households could save around 35.8 million euros if these tax incentives continue.
Given that 60% of Catalonia’s housing stock predates 1980, when insulation became mandatory, significant improvement potential exists. This aligns with the EU’s goal of decarbonising its building stock by 2050, as outlined in binding EU regulations that member states must transpose into national legislation.
Vox Ramps Up Anti-Immigration Rhetoric
Meanwhile, Joan Garriga, Vox spokesperson in the Catalan Parliament and President of Vox Barcelona, has called for action against what he terms the ‘Islamization and mass immigration’ affecting Catalonia. Speaking to the media after visiting Sant Cugat del Vallès, Rubí, and Terrassa (all near Barcelona), Garriga warned of a ‘profound and dangerous transformation’ occurring in the region, allegedly in collusion with the PSC (Socialists’ Party of Catalonia), Junts, and ERC (Republican Left of Catalonia).
Garriga claims these demographic changes threaten Catalan identity, culture, and women’s freedom. He specifically criticised the government’s alleged intention to ‘impose’ halal menus in schools, denouncing what he termed a ‘gastronomic sharia.’ He declared:
“From Vox, we will not allow a gastronomic sharia to be imposed in schools.”
Garriga also announced the party would introduce initiatives in all Catalan municipalities to ban this practice. Further details about Joan Garriga Doménech are available on the Parliament of Catalonia website.
He also accused Junts of being the ‘main culprits of Islamization,’ claiming they chose to align with the left instead of supporting Vox’s proposal in the Spanish Congress to ban the burka and niqab. The first announced protest in this campaign is scheduled for March 18 in Tarragona’s Bonavista neighbourhood, as reported by El Periódico.
The debate over immigration and integration is a recurring theme in Catalan politics, mirroring broader European tensions. With the rise of parties like Vox, this issue will likely remain a prominent feature of the political landscape. Catalonia’s religious makeup and the historical presence of Islam in Spain add further layers of complexity to the discussion.
As Catalonia grapples with these competing issues, the coming months will likely bring continued debate and political maneuvering as parties seek to shape the region’s future. For more information on the political party, visit the Vox España website.
