Energy Classes A-G for Apartments – A Revolution That Will Change the Real Estate Market from June 2026
From June 30, 2026, new rules for creating energy performance certificates for buildings come into effect. Instead of complicated and incomprehensible EP and EK indicators, a simple, clear system of energy classes will appear: from A+ (zero-emission buildings) to G (so-called “energy vampires”). This change will have a real impact on apartment prices, the ability to obtain a mortgage, and buyers’ purchasing decisions.
Why Previous Energy Certificates Didn’t Work
Energy performance certificates have been functioning in Poland for years, but for most owners and buyers, they were an abstract document. Indicators such as EP (primary energy) or EK (final energy) expressed in complicated units (kWh/m²/year) meant little to the average consumer. Few could assess whether a value of 120 kWh/m²/year was good or bad, and how it translated into real heating bills.
In practice, energy certificates were often treated as a formality – a document needed for transactions but not considered when making purchasing decisions. This is changing.
New Energy Class System – Like on a Refrigerator
From June 30, 2026, energy certificates will present building efficiency in the form of simple classes familiar to every consumer from labels on household appliances. The system includes the following categories:
Class A+ and A – zero or near-zero emission buildings. Lowest heating costs, often with own energy production (photovoltaics, heat pumps). This is the standard that all new buildings will have to meet from 2030.
Class B and C – buildings with high energy efficiency. Modern construction with good thermal insulation, energy-efficient windows, and an efficient heating system. Preferred by banks when granting mortgages.
Class D and E – buildings with medium efficiency. Typical construction from the 90s and 2000s, often after partial thermal modernization. Heating bills at an average level.
Class F and G – so-called “energy vampires.” Old construction without thermal modernization, with leaky windows and outdated heating systems. Highest operating costs that can be a significant burden on the household budget.
Impact on Apartment Prices and Purchasing Decisions
The introduction of clear energy classes is not a cosmetic documentation change – it’s a fundamental change in the way real estate is valued and perceived. Here are the specific consequences:
Green mortgages are becoming standard. Banks are increasingly promoting loans with better terms for properties with high energy efficiency. An apartment in class A or B may mean a lower margin, lower down payment, or additional bonuses. For the bank, such a property is a lower risk – the owner will have lower bills, making it easier to repay the loan.
Buyers are starting to calculate operating costs. A conscious buyer no longer looks only at the purchase price and administrative fees. They ask about projected heating costs, hot water preparation, and air conditioning. An apartment cheaper to buy but with energy class G may prove much more expensive to operate over 20-30 years.
Apartments in low classes are losing attractiveness. Properties with class F or G will require price justification or correction. Buyers will negotiate more aggressively, arguing the need for thermal modernization costs or higher bills.
What Does This Mean for Owners of Apartments in Old Buildings?
Owners of apartments in prefabricated blocks, townhouses, or older multi-family buildings must prepare for the new reality. The key question is: what will be the energy class of my apartment?
The good news is that many prefabricated blocks have undergone thermal modernization in recent years – wall insulation, window replacement, heating system modernization. Such buildings can achieve class C or even B, making them competitive on the market.
The situation looks worse for buildings without thermal modernization, with original windows from the 70s or 80s and outdated heating. Such properties will fall into classes F or G, which may mean more difficult negotiations when selling and a lower transaction price.
EPBD Directive – This Is Just the Beginning
Changes in energy certificates are part of a broader transformation resulting from the EU EPBD directive (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive). By May 2026, Poland must fully implement the revised directive into national law.
Key dates and requirements for the future:
By the end of 2026 – mandatory installation of solar panels on new public and non-residential buildings with an area exceeding 250 m².
By December 31, 2029 – mandatory installation of solar panels on all new residential buildings and covered parking areas adjacent to buildings.
From 2030 – all new residential buildings will have to meet the ZEB (Zero Emission Building) standard.
Practical Tips for Buyers and Sellers
For buyers: Always ask about the energy performance certificate and the building’s energy class. Request information about real heating costs – bills for the last heating season or estimates based on energy consumption. Compare not only purchase prices but the total cost of owning the apartment over the planned period of use.
For sellers: Prepare a current energy certificate. If your apartment is in a building that has undergone thermal modernization, emphasize this in the listing – it’s a competitive advantage. If the energy class is low, prepare for questions and negotiations – it’s better to have realistic price expectations than prolonged buyer searches.
The real estate market is entering a new era where energy efficiency is no longer an add-on but becomes the foundation of value. The sooner market participants adapt to this change, the better they will take advantage of the opportunities that arise.