TL;DR
Guide to energy performance certificates (EPC) across Europe. How to read an Energieausweis, DPE, APE, or EPC rating and what it means for your rental costs.
Every rental listing in Europe should include an energy performance certificate (EPC), but most tenants have no idea how to read one or why it matters. The certificate rates how energy-efficient a building is, directly affecting your heating and electricity costs. A property rated G can cost three to four times more to heat than one rated A or B. This guide explains what the certificate means in each country, what the ratings translate to in real costs, and what rights you have as a tenant.
What Is an Energy Performance Certificate?
The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD, Directive 2010/31/EU, revised 2024) requires all member states to implement energy certification for buildings. The certificate rates a property on a scale (typically A to G, where A is most efficient) based on its insulation, heating system, windows, and overall energy consumption. Landlords must provide the certificate before signing a lease and include the rating in rental advertisements. The certificate is valid for 10 years in most countries.
For renters, the EPC is the single best predictor of your utility costs. A poorly rated property in a cold climate can add EUR 100-200/month to your bills compared to a well-insulated one.
Country-by-Country Guide
Germany: Energieausweis
Germany uses two types of Energieausweis: the Verbrauchsausweis (based on actual energy consumption over 3 years) and the Bedarfsausweis (based on the building's physical characteristics). The Bedarfsausweis is mandatory for buildings with fewer than 5 units built before 1977 that have not been retrofitted. The certificate shows a colour-coded scale from green (0 kWh/m2/year) to red (250+ kWh/m2/year) and must be shown to prospective tenants on first viewing. Landlords who fail to provide it face fines up to EUR 15,000. Since the 2024 GEG (Gebaudeenergiegesetz), new heating systems must run on at least 65% renewable energy.
What to look for: anything above 150 kWh/m2/year means high heating costs. Below 75 is good. Below 50 is excellent.
France: DPE (Diagnostic de Performance Energetique)
France reformed its DPE in 2021, making it legally binding rather than informational. Properties are rated A to G on two scales: energy consumption (kWh/m2/year) and greenhouse gas emissions (kg CO2/m2/year). The worst rating of the two determines the overall class. Since 1 January 2023, properties rated G+ (energy consumption above 450 kWh/m2/year) cannot be rented out. From 2025, all G-rated properties are banned from new leases. F-rated properties follow in 2028, and E-rated in 2034. This means the DPE directly determines whether a property can legally be rented. The DPE must appear in every rental listing with the specific rating prominently displayed.
What to look for: avoid F and G properties entirely. D is acceptable. C or better means reasonable energy costs.
Spain: Certificado de Eficiencia Energetica
Spain requires an energy certificate for all rental properties, registered with the regional autonomous community. The certificate uses an A to G scale and is valid for 10 years. Enforcement varies by region: Catalonia and the Basque Country enforce more strictly than other areas. The certificate must be included in rental advertisements and provided to tenants before signing. Buildings constructed after 2007 generally have better ratings due to the CTE (Codigo Tecnico de la Edificacion) building standards.
What to look for: older Spanish buildings (pre-2007) without renovation typically rate E to G. Post-2007 construction is usually C or better.
Italy: APE (Attestato di Prestazione Energetica)
Italy's APE rates buildings from A4 (best) to G on a scale that includes four A subcategories (A1, A2, A3, A4). The certificate must be attached to the rental contract and registered with the regional cadastre. Failure to include the APE in a rental contract can result in fines of EUR 3,000 to 18,000. Italy's building stock is among the oldest in Europe, with many residential buildings dating from before 1970, so G and F ratings are common. Renovation incentives (Superbonus 110%, now reduced to 65-70%) have improved some buildings significantly.
What to look for: Italian heating costs vary enormously by climate zone. A G-rated apartment in Milan costs far more to heat than one in Sicily. Always factor in the climate zone alongside the rating.
Netherlands: Energielabel
The Dutch energielabel rates properties from A++++ to G. For rental properties in the regulated sector, the energy label directly affects the maximum permitted rent through the WWS (Woningwaarderingsstelsel) points system. A better energy label means more points, which means a higher maximum rent, but also lower utility costs. Since 2023, landlords of poorly rated properties face additional obligations. The energy label must be registered with RVO (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland) and is valid for 10 years.
What to look for: in the regulated sector, the label affects your maximum rent. In the free market, focus on labels C or better for reasonable heating costs.
United Kingdom: EPC
UK EPCs rate properties from A to G with a numerical score (1-100). Since April 2020, landlords in England and Wales cannot rent properties with an EPC rating below E (the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, MEES). Scotland has separate, stricter standards. The EPC includes specific recommendations for improving the property's rating. Landlords must provide the EPC to tenants before signing. The UK government has proposed raising the minimum to C by 2028 for new tenancies, though implementation timelines have shifted.
What to look for: an E-rated property is the legal minimum. D or C is decent. A or B is excellent and will mean low energy bills.
Portugal: Certificado Energetico
Portugal's system rates from A+ to F. The ADENE (Agencia para a Energia) oversees certification. The certificate is mandatory for all rental contracts and must be provided before signing. Portuguese buildings, especially older construction in Lisbon and Porto, often rate poorly (D to F) due to single-glazed windows and lack of central heating. However, Portugal's mild climate means the impact on heating costs is less severe than in Northern Europe. Cooling costs in summer can be significant for poorly insulated properties.
How the Rating Affects Your Costs
As a rough guide for a 70 m2 apartment in a Central European climate: an A-rated property might cost EUR 30-50/month to heat. A C-rated property costs EUR 60-100/month. An E-rated property costs EUR 120-180/month. A G-rated property can cost EUR 200-300+/month. These figures vary significantly by climate, energy prices, and heating system. Use our rental cost calculator to estimate total move-in costs including utilities for any European country.
Your Rights as a Tenant
In all EU member states, landlords must provide the energy certificate before you sign a lease and include the rating in rental advertisements. If the landlord cannot produce a valid certificate, this is a red flag. In France, an invalid or missing DPE can be grounds for rent reduction. In Germany, failure to provide the Energieausweis carries fines. In the UK, a missing EPC means the landlord cannot serve a valid Section 21 notice. Always ask for the certificate during viewings and factor the energy rating into your total cost comparison when evaluating rental options.
Find Energy-Efficient Rentals
Agencies that list energy ratings alongside their properties help you make informed decisions. Browse our directory to find agencies that prioritise transparency.