EU Buildings Law (EPBD): What Changes in 2025–2026
What Changes in 2025–2026
From 2025, EU countries should stop subsidising the installation of new stand-alone fossil-fuel boilers. Hybrid systems with renewables can still qualify under national schemes. In 2026, national laws will roll out the new EPBD obligations, and new buildings (permits after 29 May 2026) must be designed “solar-ready” to make future PV or solar-thermal installs easy and cost-effective.
- 1 Jan 2025: End of public incentives for new stand-alone fossil-fuel boilers.
- By 29 May 2026: EPBD transposed into national law; watch for local guidance and grant rules.
- Permits after 29 May 2026: New buildings optimised for solar (orientation, roof/facade design, structural load).
Key Milestones After 2026
- From 2027: Solar installation obligations kick in for new non-residential/public buildings (where suitable/feasible); thresholds apply and expand over time.
- From 2028: Zero-Emission standard for new public buildings.
- From 2030: Zero-Emission standard for all new buildings; solar required on new residential where suitable/feasible.
- Phased public sector solar: largest existing public buildings first (then smaller), plus triggers for existing non-residential buildings during major renovations or roof/system works.
“Suitable and feasible” and exact square-metre thresholds are set by each country; some buildings can be exempted (e.g., heritage, technical limits). Always check national rules before planning works.
- Boilers: No public financial incentives for new stand-alone fossil-fuel boilers from 1 Jan 2025.
- Solar readiness: New buildings with permits after 29 May 2026 must be designed to optimise solar potential.
- Solar installs (high level): Phased requirements by building type; new residential from 1 Jan 2030 where suitable/feasible.
- Zero-Emission new buildings: Public from 2028; all new from 2030.
- Transposition: Countries must put the EPBD into national law by 29 May 2026.
What It Means for Homeowners & Tenants
- Boiler replacement: You don’t have to rip out an existing gas boiler, but subsidies for new stand-alone fossil units stop. Consider lifetime cost: heat pump + PV vs. a like-for-like boiler.
- Going solar: For new homes (permits from 2030), plan roof pitch/orientation early; for existing homes, check grants and payback.
- Paperwork: Keep invoices, installation docs and energy certificates—these increasingly matter for sales and rentals.
What It Means for Builders, Landlords & HOAs
- Design stage: Prove solar-ready (structure, orientation, reserved roof space, cable routes).
- Tendering: Specify timelines for parts, inverters, roof works; lock in grid-connection steps early.
- Renovations: For large non-res/public assets, plan for solar at the next roof or major-works permit to avoid re-doing scaffolds.
Myths vs Facts
- “Gas boilers are banned.” False. The change is about ending subsidies for new stand-alone fossil boilers from 2025, not confiscating existing ones.
- “Every roof must have solar now.” No. Obligations start by building type/size and only where suitable and feasible.
- “Zero-Emission means off-grid.” No. It means very high efficiency and no on-site fossil-fuel emissions for new builds.
- Do I have to remove my existing gas boiler? No. The rule targets new subsidies for stand-alone fossil boilers.
- When does solar apply to my new home? For permits from 1 Jan 2030, if the site/building is suitable and feasible.
- What about small businesses? New non-residential buildings face earlier solar obligations, with size thresholds and national criteria.
- What exactly is “solar-ready”? Design choices (structure/orientation/roof layout, conduits) that make later PV/solar-thermal easy.
- What’s the 2026 deadline? By 29 May 2026, EU countries must transpose EPBD into national law—watch national guidance.
Final Thoughts
The EPBD isn’t a boiler grab or a one-size-fits-all solar order. It’s a shift toward efficient, solar-ready buildings with clear dates. If countries match the rules with practical guidance and grants, owners can save money—and avoid chaos.