Real-time monitoring of Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2024 transposition, MEPS implementation and national renovation plan milestones across all EU member states.
The recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive entered into force on 28 May 2024. Member states have 24 months to transpose core provisions and 36 months for the most complex articles including MEPS and renovation passports.
Directive 2024/1275/EU published in the Official Journal. Replaces Directive 2010/31/EU as amended. Introduces Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), renovation passports, and mandatory solar energy provisions for new buildings.
All member states were required to submit revised National Building Renovation Plans (NBRPs) incorporating the EPBD 2024 framework, including indicative MEPS trajectories and financing roadmaps. As of Q1 2026, 18 of 27 member states have submitted compliant NBRPs; 9 remain overdue.
Member states must have transposed Articles 1-20 (general provisions, EPC requirements, inspection regimes, nearly zero-energy building definitions). No derogation available for EPC format standardisation. Early transposers: Netherlands, Denmark, Austria. Tracking indicates 12 member states on track for full compliance by this date.
Minimum Energy Performance Standards provisions (Article 9) may be transposed 36 months after entry into force. Member states must define national MEPS thresholds calibrated against their national EPC label distribution. The EPBD requires that MEPS trigger renovations on the worst-performing 15% of national stock by 2030 for non-residential buildings.
All non-residential buildings must meet MEPS thresholds — effectively equivalent to at least EPC class F or better under a harmonised EU scale. Exemptions apply for heritage buildings, temporary structures and buildings under 50 m². Member states may extend by up to 3 years for documented market failure conditions under Article 9(4).
Residential buildings must reach the equivalent of EPC class E or better. This applies at point of sale or major renovation triggering; existing tenanted stock is subject to voluntary national programmes until 2035. Member states with large shares of pre-1960 multi-family stock (PL, RO, HU, BG) have flagged significant social housing compliance challenges.
All residential buildings at point of sale or major renovation must meet MEPS equivalent to EPC class D or better. In parallel, all new buildings must be zero-emission buildings (ZEB) as defined by national plans. The ZEB standard is stricter than the previous NZEB (nearly zero-energy) requirement — it requires near-zero operational emissions, not merely near-zero primary energy consumption.
MEPS thresholds are set relative to national EPC label distributions, not against a single EU-wide energy consumption figure. The table below shows the EPBD 2024 minimum requirements and the typical primary energy intensity ranges member states are expected to use as calibration benchmarks, based on published Commission guidance.
| Building Category | 2030 Deadline | Minimum EPC Class | Indicative kWh/m2.yr | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-residential — offices | 2030 | F | <250 | Point of major renovation or sale; existing stock from 2030 |
| Non-residential — retail | 2030 | F | <220 | Point of major renovation or sale; existing stock from 2030 |
| Non-residential — healthcare | 2030 + possible extension | F | <300 | Exemption available for hospitals under critical infrastructure clause |
| Residential — all types | 2033 (Phase 1) | E | <180 | Point of sale / major renovation; not existing tenanted until 2035 |
| Residential — all types | 2035 (Phase 2) | D | <120 | At point of sale / major renovation; full market compliance |
| New residential | 2030 (new builds) | A | <30 (operational) | Zero-emission building standard from 2030 for new residential |
| New non-residential | 2028 (public) / 2030 (all) | A | <50 (operational) | Public buildings from 2028; all new non-residential from 2030 |
Primary energy intensities are indicative benchmarks from Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1699. Member states apply national correction factors for climate, altitude and building use. Actual national thresholds may diverge by up to 30% from these figures.
Status as of Q1 2026, based on published national legislation, official notifications to the Commission, and observatory national correspondent reports. Full database updated quarterly.
Bouwbesluit 2024 amendment pre-transposed most EPBD 2024 requirements via the existing building code framework. MEPS trajectory published December 2024. EPC registry (EP-Online) covers 97% of residential stock. National renovation passport pilot launched with 2,400 dwellings.
Bygningsreglementet BR24 adopted November 2024. Danish EPC system (Energimærke) already uses A2020 standard which meets or exceeds EPBD NZEB. Climate Plan 2030 commits to 60% primary energy reduction in building stock. MEPS alignment confirmed against existing Energimærke scale.
GEG (Gebäudeenergiegesetz) amendment process initiated Q3 2024. Draft law tabled February 2025, first reading complete. MEPS trajectory in consultation. Germany's EPC registry (Energieausweis) has significant coverage gaps in pre-1978 housing — estimated 28% of stock unregistered. Full compliance expected Q3 2026.
France's existing Loi Climat et Résilience (2021) already introduces MEPS-like measures for residential rentals (ban on G-rated lettings from 2025, F from 2028, E from 2034). EPBD 2024 transposition underway via ordinance procedure. DPE reform to align with EU harmonised scale planned for 2026.
Transposition bill delayed due to legislative calendar pressure. Building stock challenge is acute: 4.3 million dwellings rated F or G, representing 38% of residential stock — the highest share in the EU. Clean Heat Programme provides subsidy instruments but lacks mandatory MEPS link. NBRP submitted without compliant MEPS trajectory; under Commission review.
Italy faces significant pressure: 2.2 million F/G-class buildings, heavy reliance on Superbonus tax credit scheme now wound down, and political sensitivity around MEPS mandating renovations for older owner-occupied stock. Transposition delegated to government by Parliament in December 2024; decree law expected Q2 2026. EPC registry (APE) administered at regional level — data quality and coverage inconsistent.
Romania has the highest share of energy-poor households in the EU (42% spend more than 10% of income on energy bills). EPC registry covers less than 30% of residential stock. National Renovation Plan has not been updated since 2020. NBRP not submitted. Renovation rate of 0.3% p.a. is among the lowest in the EU. Commission infringement proceedings initiated January 2026.
OIB-Richtlinie 6 updated March 2025 to incorporate EPBD 2024 requirements. Austria's federal structure requires Länderkompetenz coordination — all 9 Bundesländer have adopted aligned regulations. Thermoprofit renovation passport scheme operational since 2022. EPC (Energieausweis) coverage estimated at 88% of residential stock.
The centrepiece of the recast. Requires member states to establish MEPS — binding minimum energy performance thresholds that existing buildings must reach at point of sale, rental or major renovation. Phased by building type and deadline (2030/2033/2035). Social housing exemption available under Article 9(6).
Mandatory system for issuing building renovation roadmaps — step-by-step documentation of the optimal decarbonisation pathway for each building, based on an energy audit. Must be integrated with national EPC systems by 2027. Enables staged renovation financing and links to building digital twin initiatives.
SRI assessment becomes mandatory for large non-residential buildings from 2027. Measures a building's capacity to adapt operations to smart grid signals, user needs and energy market prices. Three tiers: Class I (basic), Class II (intermediate), Class III (highly smart). Linked to EPC issuance for non-residential over 250 m².
New mandatory solar provisions: all new buildings must be solar-ready from 2024; new public buildings over 250 m² must have solar installations from 2026; new non-residential buildings over 500 m² from 2027; existing non-residential buildings undergoing major renovation over 500 m² from 2028. Technical exemptions for structural or shading constraints.
New — not in EPBD 2010. Requires member states to establish frameworks for calculating whole-life carbon emissions for new buildings over 2,000 m² from 2028. Methodology based on ISO 15978 and EN 15804. Transition to mandatory disclosure from 2030. Sets the stage for future embodied carbon limits.
Member states must ensure financing is available — including mortgage products, renovation loans, and on-bill financing — aligned with MEPS requirements. National contact points for renovation financing must be established. Obligation to earmark a share of EU structural funds (ERDF/ESF+) for building renovation from the 2021-2027 period.