Renovation obligation in Belgium (Flanders): EPC after renovation

What does the Flemish renovation obligation require now?

The renovation obligation in Belgium is not one national rule: each region has its own. This is how it works in Flanders:

• Who: new owners of a home with label E or F, including in the case of a right of superficies or a long lease (erfpacht).
• Goal: at least label D.
• Deadline: a fixed period after the notarial deed, depending on the date of the deed. Check your deadline on the renovation obligation page of vlaanderen.be. The situation on the date of the deed counts.

The rules for the period after 2028 are not final yet: government sources contradict each other on this and changes have been announced. That is why we do not name any labels or years for later. Check vlaanderen.be for the current status.

For non-residential buildings, a separate obligation has applied since 2022: on transfer, the new owner must carry out minimum measures within five years.

When should I have a new EPC made?

An EPC is not mandatory for a renovation, unless you sell or rent out. Still, a new certificate after the works is the only proof of the new label. It makes sense:

• when the works are finished and you want to know whether you reach label D or better;
• before you sell or rent out the home, because the old EPC still shows the old label;
• before the renovation, as a baseline: the EPC contains recommendations and their expected effect.

The old EPC stays valid for 10 years, but a more recent certificate with a better label can make the difference when selling or renting out.

Which renovations have the most impact?

1. Roof insulation: often the fastest and most cost-effective measure.
2. Wall insulation: cavity wall insulation if possible, otherwise insulation on the outside or inside.
3. Heating: replacing an old boiler with a condensing boiler or a heat pump.
4. Glazing: replacing single or old double glazing with high-efficiency glass.
5. Floor insulation: often forgotten, but it counts.

See also 10 tips to improve your EPC score.

Financial support in 2026

Status 14 October 2026, source vlaanderen.be:

• Mijn VerbouwPremie: reformed since 1 March 2026. Owner-occupiers in income categories 1 and 2 now only receive a premium for a heat pump; for categories 3 and 4 nothing changes.
• Mijn VerbouwLening: a loan of €4,000 to €60,000 for energy renovations, with an interest rate that depends on the income category (zero percent in category 4).
• Reduced VAT rate: 6% VAT on renovation of homes that are at least 10 years old.

The EPC label premium no longer exists for new applications; those could be submitted up to and including 30 June 2026.

The EPC as a starting point

The EPC gives not only your current label, but also concrete recommendations and their expected effect on the score. That shows you which measure delivers the most. Order an EPC, see the prices or read what an EPC is. We work in Tervuren, Overijse and Leuven, among others.