Time is Running for the Implementation of the Revised EPBD
The deadline for implementing the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is approaching. By 29 May 2026, EU Member States must transpose the directive into national law.
A central element of this process is the preparation and submission of National Building Renovation Plans (NBRPs), which will set out how each country intends to improve the energy performance of its building stock.
So far, eight Member States and the Walloon Region have submitted their plans. Most countries have yet to do so.
With the support of its National Partners, Renovate Europe is reaching out directly to the ministers responsible for NBRPs in Member States that have not yet submitted their plans. The message is clear: a strong and timely National Building Renovation Plan is not only a legal obligation, but also a significant economic opportunity.
Well-designed renovation strategies can:
- Support economic growth
- Create local employment
- Strengthen social stability
- Increase the availability of quality housing
- Improve investor confidence
Building renovation remains one of the most effective ways to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits simultaneously.
As the deadline approaches, coordinated action from both European and national decision-makers will be essential to translate EU legislation into ambitious, practical and country-specific national plans.
Subject: Accelerating the submission of your draft National Building Renovation Plan
Dear Minister,
The buildings sector is a major part of the European economy. It represents almost 10% of EU GDP and directly employs around 25 million people. Renovation activity creates local jobs that cannot be relocated. It is estimated that every €1 million invested in building renovation supports between 15 and 18 jobs across the value chain, including SMEs and manufacturers.
The Renovate Europe Campaign is an EU-wide political communications campaign that is calling for the rate of ambitious energy renovation of buildings in the EU to be increased to 3% per year by 2030. It is supported by fifty partners from multiple stakeholder groups, including 18 national partners. The Renovate Europe Campaign closely follows the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)i and, as you know, the recast EPBD states that draft National Building Renovation Plans (NBRP’s) were to be submitted by the 31st of December 2025, with final plans due by the 31st of December 2026ii.
We recognise the complexity of preparing a comprehensive NBRP and believe that taking time to prepare the NBRP in consultation with the construction sector, financial institutions, local authorities, and civil society will help ensure ambition, acceptability and practical deliveryiii. These plans will serve as the national roadmap to guide investment, reforms and support measures in the buildings sector.
We note that your draft NBRP has not yet been submitted and we write to encourage your Ministry to prioritise its finalisation and submission at the earliest opportunity.
In the current context of housing pressures and challenges on global competitiveness, a clear and timely NBRP can support economic growth, job creation and social stability at national level and will strengthen investor confidence, support local employment, increase housing supply, and help your country capture the full economic and social benefits of renovation. Implementation of your NBRP, which could be greatly helped by local and regional authorities and their one-stops shops, will significantly help to reduce the energy and carbon footprint of your building stock.
The Renovate Europe Campaign and its partners remain available to provide technical input, share best practices from other Member States, or support stakeholder dialogue. We stand ready to assist your services in bringing this important work to completion.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Joyce
Director of the Renovate Europe Campaign
i The Renovate Europe Campaign has prepared an EPBD Implementation Tracker that is being populated with information from our national partners on how member states are progressing with the implementation of the EPBD. The document is internal and informs our actions around the implementation topic.
ii The Renovate Europe Campaign is engaged with several other organisations in scoping out a Study of the draft NBRP’s that have, and will be, submitted to the EU Commission. It is expected that a significant selection of countries will be covered by the Study and results of our analysis will be made public in stages throughout 2026.
iii Through our involvement in the EU-funded EPBD.wise Project, we have developed expertise on how best to prepare and implement several key elements of the EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings, including NBRP’s.
