This Directive will revoke and replace the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2010/31/EU. The Directive is required to be transposed in all EU Member States by 29 May 2026.

Minimum energy performance targets will be applied, alongside targets on zero-emissions buildings and requirements on renovations. EU Member States will be required to ensure new buildings are designed to optimise solar energy generation potential. Solar energy installations will be required on certain new buildings by the dates set.

Directive (EU) 2024/1275 will revoke and replace the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2010/31/EU on 30 May 2026.

Most of the Directive is required to be transposed to national law in all EU Member States by 29 May 2026. A duty to remove regulatory non-economic barriers to renovation will apply from 1 January 2025.

What will change?

Directive (EU) 2024/1275 will expand upon existing energy performance requirements on buildings. The measures are intended to align with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions reduction commitments and the wider EU green deal package.

Minimum energy performance targets must be set to achieve cost-optimal energy performance levels and, as applicable, nearly-zero energy and zero-emissions building requirements.

New measures required are described below.

New buildings

New residential and non-residential buildings must be zero-emissions buildings by the dates set:

• 1 January 2028: new buildings owned by public bodies.
• 1 January 2030: all new buildings.

Life cycle global warming potentials of buildings must be communicated in energy performance certificates (EPCs) by 1 January 2028 (for new buildings with a useful floor area above 1,000m2) and by 1 January 2030 (for all new buildings).

Member States must implement roadmaps applying limit values on total cumulative life-cycle global warming potential for all new buildings from 2030. These roadmaps must be in place by 1 January 2027.

Existing buildings

Where ‘major renovations’ are undertaken, the energy performance of the building or each renovated part must be upgraded to meet minimum energy performance requirements on new buildings, so far as is technically, functionally and economically feasible.

Major renovations are defined as those with a:

• total cost of the renovation more than 25% of the building value, excluding land value; or
• more than 25% of the surface of the building envelope is renovated.

The Member State may elect to apply either of the definitions above.

Renovation targets are set for the worst performing non-residential buildings: 16% of non-residential buildings by 2030, rising to 26% from 2033. The average primary energy use of all residential building stock must also reduce by the thresholds stated. Measures taken by Member States must ensure at least 55% of the decrease of primary energy use across building stock is through renovation of the worst-performing buildings.

National Building Renovation plans must set out actions to renovate residential and non-residential building stock by 2050, with the objective of transforming existing buildings into zero-emission buildings. Average primary energy use milestones will apply for 2030 and 2035, with national targets required for 2030, 2040 and 2050.

National Building Renovation Plans must include measures with the objective of phasing out fossil fuel boilers by 2040.

Solar Energy

All new buildings must be designed to optimise solar energy generation potential.

Suitable solar energy installations, if technically suitable and economically and functionally feasible, are required on buildings by the dates set. For example: this will apply to all new public and non-residential buildings with a useful floor area above 250m2 by 31 December 2026 and all new residential buildings and roofed car parks by 31 December 2029.

Renovation

A system of building renovation passports is due to be introduced by 29 May 2026, reflecting the principles in Annex VIII: tailored roadmaps for mandatory or voluntary ‘deep renovation’ of existing buildings that prioritises energy efficiency.

Deep renovations focus on redevelopment to nearly zero-energy buildings (before 1 January 2030) or zero-energy buildings (from 1 January 2030).

Digital tools should be provided for preparing and updating renovation passports by each Member State.

Technical Building Systems and Smart Readiness

Requirements are required to be applied on the energy-use optimisation of technical buildings systems. Minimum standards will apply on these systems in new or renovated buildings. These systems include building monitoring, automation and control. 

By the dates set, the European Commission is required to report on and introduce a smart readiness indicator for buildings.

Building owners, tenants and managers must have access to their building systems’ data. This may be made available to third parties by consent.

Sustainable Mobility

A minimum number of recharging points and bicycle parking spaces will need to be supplied for new or majorly renovated residential and non-residential buildings. 

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