Brussels reforms the EPB: A new regulatory framework to anticipate — to protect and enhance the value of your real estate assets

The reform introduces clear performance-based obligations with fixed deadlines. These will apply to all property types, including co-owned buildings.

Non-compliance will be subject to significant fines, calculated based on the performance gap, with specific rules for co-ownerships.

Exemptions will only be granted in the case of proven technical, functional, or economic constraints (e.g. listed buildings, structural limitations, disproportional costs). 

The EPB reform also marks a decisive shift toward a fossil fuel–free real estate sector:

• From 2025, oil-fired boilers will be banned in new constructions

• By 2030, natural gas will also be prohibited in both new buildings and major renovations

This transition will require widespread adoption of heat pumps, high-performance electric systems, and locally produced or shared renewable energy sources.

By Julien Thirifays, Energy Expert at Pulse.

What lies ahead is necessary, but technically ambitious. Two major challenges are emerging.

First, retrofitting existing buildings in Brussels is complex, given the dense, often historic urban fabric. Improving insulation without altering building character, while managing permits and occupied sites, is not a small task.

Then there’s the heat pump issue. Installing them on rooftops comes with concerns around visual impact, noise, and permitting. And even if you solve those, there’s still the economic reality: they’re not profitable enough yet. Electricity remains heavily taxed, while gas stays relatively cheap.