For many property owners, May 2026 will be a key date, as new EU regulations for energy performance certificates will then come into effect. Anyone wishing to sell or rent a property from this point onward will often need a newly issued energy performance certificate that meets the updated standard. Failure to provide a valid certificate is considered an administrative offense and can result in a fine of up to €10,000. (fr: 23.01.26)
When the new energy performance certificate becomes required
An energy performance certificate is generally valid for ten years. This means that a certificate issued recently is still legally valid – even if it uses the old scale. However, the intended use is crucial: As soon as the owner wants to sell, rent, or undertake major renovations from May 2026 onwards, the certificate must be issued according to the new EU regulations.
Private owners often underestimate the lead time, as appointments for the energy performance certificate are not always available at short notice. Therefore, the energy performance certificate should be part of the early planning stages when marketing a property. This helps avoid delays in the process and legal risks.
What additional obligations are included in the document?
The new energy performance certificate is intended not only to show an energy rating but also to contain concrete recommendations for energy efficiency measures. These include suggestions such as replacing the heating system, insulating the facade, or replacing windows, and these recommendations must be clearly documented in the certificate. This makes the document a more valuable basis for decision-making, as potential buyers or tenants can more quickly identify energy weaknesses.
Furthermore, the obligation to provide the certificate is expanding, as it will no longer be required only for sales and new rentals. It can also be requested for lease renewals and major renovations, significantly increasing the number of relevant situations. Owners should therefore keep their own contract and modernization plans in mind to ensure that no formal gaps arise.
New Scale A to G: What’s Changing in the Classification
With the EU directive, the logic behind the classes is changing, while the color coding remains essentially the same. Class A will henceforth be exclusively reserved for zero-emission buildings, thus clearly defining the top performers. Class G is intended to represent the 15 percent of German buildings with the worst energy performance, while classes B to F will encompass the remaining buildings in roughly equal proportions.
Green continues to represent a very good energy performance, while red indicates a poor performance. However, the specific classification depends not only on the building itself but also on national regulations. The threshold values are set by the EU member states, which is why details of the classification may vary depending on their implementation.
What property owners should check now
Anyone who already has an energy performance certificate should first check the issue date, as this determines the remaining validity period. However, those preparing to sell or rent their property from May 2026 onwards often need a certificate according to the new standard, and this should be clarified before marketing begins. Documentation can also be crucial for major renovations, as additional obligations come into play.
The potential penalties are also relevant, as missing documents have consequences. Without a valid energy performance certificate, property owners commit an administrative offense when selling or renting, and the responsible authority can impose a fine of up to €10,000. Commissioning the certificate early reduces the risk and keeps the process manageable.
Political background remains separate from the certificate
Political debates in the building sector are ongoing, often creating additional uncertainty. In December 2025, the Merz government announced significant changes to the heating law. For property owners, however, the obligation to have the correct energy performance certificate takes precedence, as missing documents can slow down transactions or increase costs.