Brussels,

Directive on Energy performance of buildings (EPBD)
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To increase the energy performance of buildings, the EU has established a legislative framework with two EU Directives. One is dealing with Energy Efficiency in Europe, one more specific on Energy performace of the Buildings. The EU goal is to help member States to achieve an energy efficient and decarbonised building stock by 2050, to encourage investments and help consumers and businesses make more informed choices to save energy and money.

In 2024, the EU adopted a new Directive 2024/1275 on Energy performace of the Buildings,

Key Differences:

• Focus on Decarbonization: Directive 2024/1275 places a much stronger emphasis on decarbonization, reflecting the EU’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This is an evolution from the 2010 directive, which primarily focused on improving energy efficiency without as strong a focus on carbon reduction.
  
• Renovation Requirements: The newer directive introduces more stringent requirements for the renovation of existing buildings, particularly those with poor energy performance, whereas the 2010 directive mainly focused on new buildings and major renovations.
  
• Integration of Technology: Directive 2024/1275 places more importance on the integration of renewable energy sources and the use of smart technologies in buildings, which is a significant advancement from the provisions of the 2010 directive.
• Alignment with European Green Deal: The 2024 directive aligns closely with the broader goals of the European Green Deal, aiming to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy, while the 2010 directive was more about setting a foundation for energy efficiency improvements.

The Two Directives

 

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ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF BUILDING DIRECTIVE

THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK

Directive 2010/31/EU

Energy Performance of Buildings

• Amended by Directive 2018/844/EU, on the energy performance of buildings

  • PARTIAL REPEALED ART.2 IN 2023 BY:

    Directive (EU) 2023/1791, on energy efficiency
    (and amending Regulation (EU) 2023/955 (recast))

    • CONSOLIDATED TEXT (1 January 2021)
• Repealed by Directive (EU) 2024/1275, from 30 May 2026

Directive 2012/27/EU

Energy Efficiency

• ART. 4 AMENDED IN 2018 BY:

  Directive 2018/844/EU

  on the energy performance of buildings

  • REPEALED FROM 25/10/2025 BY:

    Directive (EU) 2023/1791, on energy efficiency
    (and amending Regulation (EU) 2023/955 (recast))

    Directive 2012/27/EU, as amended by the acts listed in Part A of Annex XVI is repealed with effect from 12 October 2025,

    • Directive (EU) 2023/1791

The two Directives: 

1. Directive 2024/1275 on the energy performance of buildings (EPBD)
2. Directive 2012/27/EU on energy ​efficiency (Replaced by a recast Directive in 2023).
   

Together, the two directives promote policies for:
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• increasing the energy efficient and decarbonised building stock by 2050
• creating a stable environment for investment decisions
• enabling consumers and businesses to make more informed choices to save energy and money

Directive 2024/1275

The EPBD Directive:

1. aims to improve the energy performance of buildings in the EU
2. sets out minimum requirements and a common framework for calculating energy performance.
3. replaces Directive 2010/31/EU

The EPBD covers a broad range of policies and supportive measures that will help national EU governments boost energy performance of buildings and improve the existing building stock.

Objective:

• Directive (EU) 2024/1275 is a more recent directive that builds on and updates earlier legislation, including Directive 2010/31/EU.
• It aims to further enhance the energy efficiency of buildings, aligning with the EU’s updated climate and energy targets, particularly those outlined in the European Green Deal.
• The directive introduces stricter energy performance standards, focusing on decarbonization and the integration of renewable energy sources in buildings.

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• It addresses the need to renovate existing buildings to higher energy efficiency standards, aiming for a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
• There is also a focus on digitalization and the use of smart technologies to manage energy use more effectively.
  

Key Provisions:

• Enhanced energy performance standards for both new and existing buildings.
• More stringent renovation requirements, particularly for the worst-performing buildings.
• Greater emphasis on renewable energy integration and reducing carbon emissions.
• Encouragement of smart energy systems and digital tools for energy management.
• Continuation and expansion of the NZEB concept with stricter criteria.
  

Energy performance of buildings standards

The Commission has established a set of standards and accompanying technical reports to support the EPBD called the energy performance of buildings standards (EPB standards). These are managed by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN). 

​EU Buildings Factsheets
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The factsheets presents the most important features, including indicators and recommendations, in relation to implementation of EU buildings legislation. They also present key statistics, analysis and policy context. The country-specific factsheets also provide a national policy context. 

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The new rules

1. Emissions

​Currently, buildings account for over one third of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. Under the new rules, by 2030 all new buildings should be zero-emission buildings, and by 2050 the EU’s building stock should be transformed into zero-emission building stock.
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2. Energy performance

For non-residential buildings, the revised directive introduces minimum energy performance standards ensuring that such buildings do not exceed the specified maximum amount of primary or final energy that they can use per m2 annually. According to the new rules, in 2030 all non-residential buildings will be above the 16% worst performing buildings and by 2033 above the 26% worst performing buildings in terms of energy performance. This will lead to a gradual phase-out of the worst performing non-residential buildings. Member states can choose to exempt specific buildings from the rules, such as historical buildings, places of worship or buildings owned by the armed forces.
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3. Energy use of residential buildings

Member states will also make sure that the average primary energy use of residential buildings will be reduced by 16% in 2030 and by 20-22% in 2035. At least 55% of the energy reduction will be achieved through renovation of the 43% worst performing residential buildings.
In their renovation efforts, member states will put in place technical assistance and financial support measures, with a focus on vulnerable households.

4. Use of fossil fuels in buildings

In order to decarbonise the building sector, national building renovation plans will include a roadmap with a view to phase out fossil fuel boilers by 2040.
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5. Solar energy and sustainable mobility

​The new rules will ensure the deployment of suitable solar energy installations in new buildings, public buildings and existing non-residential ones under renovation that requires a permit.
They will also provide for sustainable mobility infrastructure, including recharging points for electric cars in or next to buildings, pre-cabling or ducting to accommodate future infrastructure and parking spaces for bicycles.

Why buildings are important for reducing energy consumption?

​Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of EU energy consumption and 36% of the greenhouse gas emissions.
Buildings are therefore the single largest energy consumer in Europe.
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At present, about 35% of the EU's buildings are over 50 years old and almost 75% of the building stock is energy inefficient. At the same time, only about 1% of the building stock is renovated each year.

Renovation of existing buildings can lead to significant energy savings, as it could reduce the EU’s total energy consumption by 5-6% and lower CO2 emissions by about 5%.

Investments in energy efficiency stimulates the economy, especially the construction industry, which generates about 9% of Europe’s GDP and directly accounts for 18 million direct jobs. SMEs in particular, benefit from a boosted renovation market, as they contribute more than 70% of the value-added in EU’s building sector.

Directive 2012/27/EU

Objective:

• The 2010 directive is focused on improving the energy performance of buildings within the EU.
• It aims to reduce energy consumption in buildings, which account for a significant portion of the EU's total energy use and CO2 emissions.
• The directive requires Member States to set minimum energy performance requirements for new buildings and for major renovations of existing buildings.
• It introduces the concept of "nearly zero-energy buildings" (NZEB), which should be the standard for all new buildings by 2021 (public buildings by 2019).
• The directive also mandates energy performance certificates (EPCs) for buildings when they are constructed, sold, or rented out.

Key Provisions:

• Minimum energy performance requirements.
• Energy performance certificates.
• Inspections of heating and air conditioning systems.
• Promotion of NZEBs.