When purchasing a property in Italy, one of the documents which the Seller must provide before completion is the Attestato di Prestazione Energetica (APE), or Energy Performance Certificate. This certificate is mandatory for nearly all property sales and rentals in Italy and provides valuable information about the building’s energy efficiency. The APE is valid for 10 years, unless major renovation work is carried out that affects the property’s energy performance.
The APE is an official document prepared by a qualified technician (usually an architect, surveyor or engineer) that evaluates a property’s energy consumption and efficiency. The technician will conduct an inspection of the property and use official calculation methods to determine the energy rating. Similar to the energy labels you see on appliances, the certificate assigns the building a rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It details:
– The building’s energy class
– Annual energy consumption (kWh/m²)
– Recommendations for improving energy performance
– CO₂ emissions and environmental impact
For buyers, the APE can influence factors including the potential running (and heating) costs, the need for future renovation works to improve energy efficiency, and the potential resale value.
The EU has recently revised the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), officially Directive (EU) 2024/1275, which entered into force on 28 May 2024. The Directive is part of the “Fit for 55” package of legislative proposals presented by the European Commission in 2021 to revise and update EU laws, with the goal of achieving a reduction of at least 55% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, as part of the broader European Green Deal that aims for climate neutrality by 2050.
This Directive will need to be implemented in Italy by the introduction of legislation which is likely to be by May 2026. The new rules will impose strict new requirements which include:
– New buildings must meet zero or near-zero emission standards by certain dates (for public buildings the date will be earlier than for privately owned homes). The Directive requires that from 2030, all new buildings in the EU must be zero-emission, with no fossil-fuel heating.
– Existing buildings with the worst energy performance will need to be upgraded according to defined criteria. By 2033, at least 25% of the least efficient properties must be upgraded. Buildings undergoing sale, lease, or major renovation may be subject to stricter minimum performance requirements. This will pose a challenge for property owners in Italy where a very high percentage of buildings are older compared to other Member States.
– Better quality, transparency, and comparability of energy performance certificates across Member States. This includes common criteria for how certificates are calculated and standardized across Europe.
– From 1 January 2025, financial incentives for installing stand-alone fossil-fuel boilers will no longer be allowed. Incentives will instead need to support the adoption of heat pumps, solar panels and other renewable technologies.
– Member States must develop long-term plans to improve the existing building stock. Italy will need to adopt such plans and align national laws with EPBD obligations.
Buyers undertaking a property search in Italy are advised to study not only the current requirements in Italy, but also be aware of these new developments to ensure compliance and avoid the need for an unexpected costly renovation shortly after purchase.