What is an EPC Certificate (PEB/EPB)? Complete Guide 2026
The EPC Certificate (Energy Performance of Buildings — called PEB in French and EPB in Dutch) is an official and mandatory document that classifies your property from A (very low consumption) to G (very high consumption). It is required for every sale or rental in Brussels. Prices from €125 at AL Energy, certified EPC assessor.
What does EPC mean?
EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate. In Brussels this is officially known as EPB (Energieprestatie van Gebouwen in Dutch) or PEB (Performance Énergétique des Bâtiments in French) — the official energy certificate for a property in Belgium. It evaluates the energy consumption of the building (heating, hot water, ventilation) and assigns a class from A (very low consumption) to G (very high consumption), similar to the energy label on a home appliance. The EPC has been mandatory for every sale or rental in Brussels since 2011.
The term EPC/EPB refers both to the regulation (the energy standards for buildings) and to the EPC Certificate (the official document that classifies your property). Each Belgian region has its own EPC legislation, but the principle is the same: evaluate and improve the energy efficiency of the building stock.
Heating, hot water, ventilation, cooling
The building's capacity to limit consumption
Houses, apartments, studios, buildings, offices
Why does the EPC exist?
The EPC system stems from the European Directive 2002/91/EC on the energy performance of buildings, transposed into Belgian law. In the Brussels-Capital Region, the Ordinance of 2 May 2013 (BWLKE/COBRACE) governs EPC certification (source: Brussels Environment). Its purpose is twofold:
- Inform buyers and tenants about the energy consumption of the property
- Encourage owners to renovate and thereby reduce CO₂ emissions from the building stock
In Brussels, buildings are responsible for approximately 70% of CO₂ emissions. The Region aims for climate neutrality by 2050, with intermediate milestones in 2033 (max. 275 kWh/m²/year) and 2045 (max. 150 kWh/m²/year).
Need an EPC Certificate in Brussels?
What is the EPC Certificate?
The EPC Certificate is the energy identity card of your property. It classifies your property from A (efficient) to G (energy-intensive). Mandatory for every sale or rental in Brussels.
Registered with Brussels Environment with a unique number and QR code. Only a certified assessor may issue it.
Your certificate remains valid for 10 years. After works, a new EPC certificate reflects your improvements.
Class A to G, consumption in kWh/m²/year, details on insulation, heating and ventilation, plus improvement recommendations.
The EPC evaluates the building, not your habits. Your actual consumption may differ from the score.
EPC scale: energy classes from A to G
7 classes from A (≤ 45 kWh/m²/year) to G (> 345 kWh/m²/year). Most Brussels properties fall between D and F.
| Class | Consumption (kWh/m²/year) | Performance | Building type |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | ≤ 45 | Very low consumption | New build or thoroughly renovated |
| B | 46 – 95 | Good performance | High-quality renovation or recent build |
| C | 96 – 150 | Decent | Renovated with insulation and good heating |
| D | 151 – 210 | Average | Standard building, partially renovated |
| E | 211 – 275 | Poor | Old building with little or no insulation |
| F | 276 – 345 | Very energy-intensive | Urgent renovation recommended |
| G | > 345 | Energy guzzler | Very old building with no insulation |
Did you know?
A property with class A-B sells on average 5 to 15% more than a property with class E-F-G. The EPC Certificate has become a decisive criterion for buyers and tenants in Brussels.
EPC: Brussels, Wallonia and Flanders
Each Belgian region has its own EPC legislation. Here are the main differences:
| Brussels-Capital Region | Wallonia | Flanders | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authority | Brussels Environment | SPW Énergie | VEKA (Flemish Energy and Climate Agency) |
| Certificate name | EPB Certificate (EPC) | PEB Certificate (EPC) | EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) |
| Scale | A to G (kWh/m²/year) | A++ to G (kWh/m²/year) | A+ to F (kWh/m²/year) + label |
| Mandatory | Sale + rental (since 2011) | Sale + rental (since 2010) | Sale + rental (since 2008) |
| Validity | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years (5 years for old format) |
| Average price | € 125 to € 305 | € 150 to € 400 | € 200 to € 400 |
Important
An EPC Certificate from Wallonia is not valid in Brussels and vice versa. Each region has its own certified assessors and its own register. AL Energy operates exclusively in the Brussels-Capital Region (19 municipalities).
Is the EPC mandatory in Brussels?
Yes, mandatory since 2011 for every sale or rental in Brussels. Must be stated in the listing. Without an EPC: fines of €50 to €62,500.
EPC class mandatory in the listing. Original certificate for the notary. Without a certificate = transaction blocked.
EPC class in the listing + copy to the tenant + EPC number in the rental contract. Mandatory since 2019.
Not presented: €200–€1,000. Expired: €300–€3,000. 2033 targets not met: up to €26,562.
Listed monuments, buildings scheduled for demolition (2 years), dwellings < 18 m².
How does the EPC certification process work?
From first contact to certificate in hand: 48 to 72 hours.
How can I improve my EPC score?
A poor EPC score affects the value of your property. Below are the priority works, ranked by budget.
Roof insulation (€15–20/m², gain of 1–2 classes), draught-proofing, thermostatic radiator valves. Best cost-to-benefit ratio.
Double glazing, wall insulation, condensing boiler, ventilation. Gain: 2 to 3 EPC classes.
External insulation, heat pump, solar panels, triple glazing. Goal: EPC class A or B.
Check Brussels Environment for current support measures.
Good to know
Roof insulation offers the best cost-to-benefit ratio for improving your EPC: from €15/m² you gain 1 to 2 energy classes. It is the first investment our assessors recommend.
How much does an EPC Certificate cost in Brussels?
The price of an EPC Certificate in Brussels ranges from €125 to €400 incl. VAT depending on the type of property, the floor area and the assessor chosen. At AL Energy our prices are fixed and transparent:
| Property type | AL Energy price | Average market price |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / Room | € 125 | € 150 – 200 |
| Apartment < 100 m² | € 165 | € 180 – 250 |
| Apartment 100–150 m² | € 195 | € 220 – 280 |
| Apartment 150–200 m² | € 225 | € 260 – 320 |
| House < 200 m² | € 245 | € 280 – 350 |
| House 300–400 m² | € 325 | € 370 – 450 |
| Duplex / Triplex | from € 225 | € 250 – 350 |
| Building (2 units) | € 305 | € 350 – 500 |
Our prices include the site visit, the full analysis, the official certificate and registration with Brussels Environment. No hidden costs, no travel surcharge across all 19 Brussels municipalities.
Frequently asked questions about the EPC
What does EPC mean?
What is the EPC of a house?
What is a good EPC score?
Is an EPC mandatory for rental?
How much does an EPC Certificate cost in Brussels?
How long is an EPC Certificate valid?
How quickly will I receive my EPC Certificate?
Does the EPC affect the sale price?
Can I improve my EPC after the visit?
Need an EPC Certificate in Brussels?
From €125, appointment within 48 hours. Certified assessors accredited by Brussels Environment.