Energy label mandatory for the sale and rental of monuments from May 29, 2026.

Monuments have long been exempt from the energy label requirement, but this is about to change. From May 29, 2026, an energy label will be mandatory for monuments when they are sold, rented, or when a contract is amended. This change stems from European regulations and applies to owners of national, provincial, and municipal monuments. This applies not only to residences, but also to non-residential buildings such as offices, practices, and mixed-use properties.

An energy label shows how energy efficient a building is. This was already mandatory for most buildings, but protected monuments were previously excluded from this regulation. With the new regulations, owners of national, provincial, and municipal monuments are now treated the same as other owners.

What will change as of May 29, 2026?

Since 2015, an energy label has been mandatory for virtually all buildings in the Netherlands. Protected monuments and religious buildings were exempt from this requirement. This exemption for monuments will largely expire on May 29, 2026.

From May 29, 2026, the following will apply to protected monuments:

• An energy label is mandatory when selling a property.
• An energy label is mandatory when renting out a property, including contract renewals or amendments.
• The obligation applies to national, provincial, and municipal monuments.
• Both monumental residential buildings and monumental non-residential buildings are subject to this obligation.
• The energy label must be drawn up by a certified energy performance advisor.
• The absence of a valid energy label may result in enforcement and fines.

The exemption for churches and other religious buildings remains in place. The exemption for buildings that are (partly) used for worship and religious activities remains valid, even if they are listed buildings. If these monuments are used for non-religious purposes, an energy label will be mandatory from May 29, 2026, for sales, rentals, and lease renewals or modifications.

Why this change?

The obligation stems from the European EPBD IV (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive), which aims to provide insight into the energy performance of all buildings in Europe, including monuments, and to improve it step by step towards 2050. The energy label is a mandatory information tool in this regard. It provides insight into current energy performance and possible improvement measures, with explicit attention to the monumental values and limitations that heritage entails.

Creating insight now pays off

Although the legal obligation will not take effect until May 29, 2026, owners of historic residential and commercial buildings would be wise to gain insight into the energy performance of their buildings now.

An energy label helps with:

• timely planning of maintenance and sustainability within monumental frameworks
• carefully preparing sales or rentals
• preventing time pressure as soon as the regulations come into force
• grant applications and financial justification

The energy label is valid for ten years and provides clarity and overview within a complex playing field of regulations and exceptions.

Check whether the historic building already has a valid energy label via EP-Online, the national database in which energy labels are registered. If there is no label yet, it must be drawn up by a certified energy advisor. Broersma Werken Wonen will be happy to put you in touch with trusted partners.

Grants and support for monument owners

Even after 2026, specific regulations will remain Available historic buildings, both residential and commercial. Since January 1, 2024, the ISDE subsidy (Investment Subsidy for Sustainable Energy and Energy Saving) has been more accessible to owners of historic buildings. In many cases, more flexible conditions Services and installations to insulation measures and sustainable Services and installations , in line with the heritage context.

More information about conditions and subsidy amounts can be found via the RVO.

Timely advice pays off

A monument requires a customized approach, including in terms of regulations. When selling or renting from 2026 onwards, the energy label will no longer be a non-binding formality, but a mandatory part of the process.

Do you have any questions?

Email us your question about the energy label and include the address, postal code, and whether or not the property already has a valid label. We are happy to help you and will put you in touch with specialized partners who can draw up the energy label for you.

At Broersma Werken Wonen, we assist owners of monumental residential and commercial properties with the energy label requirement. We advise not only on the requirement itself, but also on its impact on sales, rentals, and contract renewals. With our knowledge of monuments, regulations, and the Amsterdam market, we help you make timely and informed choices with an eye to the long term.