Key facts
- The EU has initiated infringement procedures against all member states for failing to transpose the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
- The deadline for transposing the directive was May 29, 2026.
- Approximately 25% of EU citizens live in greener buildings compared to six years ago.
- The Netherlands leads in building energy efficiency improvements with 60.5%, while Italy lags at 3%.
- Eight member states have submitted draft National Building Renovation Plans.
- The final deadline for submitting these plans is December 31, 2026.
The European Union has initiated infringement procedures against all its member states for failing to fully implement the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), also known as the Green Homes Directive, by the May 29, 2026 deadline. This directive aims to put the bloc on a trajectory towards net-zero emissions by mid-century through mandatory building modernization, as buildings are Europe's largest energy consumers.
Despite the infringement procedure, progress is being made, with approximately one in four EU citizens now living in greener buildings compared to six years ago. However, the pace of renovation varies significantly across member states. The Netherlands leads with 60.5% of buildings becoming more energy-efficient, followed by Denmark (34%), France (33%), and Slovenia (33%). In contrast, Italy is at the bottom with only 3% of buildings classified as more efficient, with Malta (8%) and Greece (9.5%) also lagging.
Improving building energy efficiency involves measures like better roof and window insulation. The EU also plans to phase out incentives for fossil fuel boilers in favor of heat pumps and solar panels. However, these plans face criticism due to the high cost of implementation, with Italian minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin highlighting the financial burden on citizens. Germany's former housing minister, Klara Geywitz, also voiced concerns about forcing property renovations or sales.
Eight member states—Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, Lithuania, Romania, Slovenia, and Spain—have submitted draft National Building Renovation Plans (NBRPs) to the European Commission. These plans outline renovation roadmaps, targets for 2030, 2040, and 2050, and policies to achieve them. The Commission noted that while previous strategies provided general direction, NBRPs offer a more consistent assessment due to a common EU-level template. The final versions of these plans are due by December 31, 2026.