The Buildings Modernisation Act (Gebäudemodernisierungsgesetz, GModG) is the German law governing the energy-related requirements for buildings. It was passed in 2026 and replaces the previous Buildings Energy Act (GEG). It transposes the EU Buildings Directive EPBD (Directive 2024/1275) into national law and has been in force since 29 July 2026. Further provisions take effect on 1 January 2027, 2028, and 2030. In terms of content, it shifts the emphasis from rigid requirements towards technology-neutral heating choices and continues the requirements for building automation.
What is the GModG?
The GModG is the successor to the GEG and provides the new framework for energy-related building modernisation in Germany. It shifts the focus from rigid requirements towards greater freedom of choice in heating technology, while at the same time adopting key objectives from the European Buildings Directive. The law has been in force since 29 July 2026, although individual obligations take effect at different points in time. This needs to be taken into account when assessing specific requirements.
What changes with the GModG compared to the GEG?
The main changes at a glance:
- The blanket requirement for a fixed minimum share of renewable energy in new heating systems is dropped.
- In its place comes a technology-neutral heating choice, accompanied by a phased requirement for climate-neutral fuels.
- The transposition of the EU Buildings Directive moves more firmly into focus, including requirements for building automation.
- Further provisions take effect on 1 January 2027 (solar energy obligation, minimum energy standards for certain non-residential buildings, energy performance certificates, life-cycle assessment for new builds), on 1 January 2028 (zero-emission standard for new public non-residential buildings), and on 1 January 2030 (general zero-emission standard).
What does the GModG mean for non-residential buildings?
For operators of non-residential buildings, the continuation of automation requirements is the central point: buildings with larger heating or air conditioning systems are to be equipped with building automation and control systems. The EU Buildings Directive also sets out that the capacity threshold will be lowered in the coming years, bringing more buildings into scope. Building automation is therefore gaining further legal significance for the energy-related control of non-residential buildings. From 1 January 2027, minimum energy standards for certain non-residential buildings will also apply, together with a solar energy obligation that will be extended in stages to new builds and certain existing non-residential buildings. As individual provisions take effect at different points in time, the specific thresholds and deadlines should be checked against the current text of the law before any decision is taken.
When does the GModG take effect?
The GModG was promulgated in the Federal Law Gazette on 28 July 2026. The main new provisions have applied since 29 July 2026, including the removal of the previous 65 percent renewable energy requirement for new heating systems, the lifting of certain operating bans on oil and gas boilers, new rules on replacing and installing heating systems, and the adjustment of CO₂ cost allocation between landlords and tenants.
Further stages follow:
On 1 January 2027, provisions transposing the EU Buildings Directive take effect. These include, among other things, minimum energy standards for certain non-residential buildings, solar energy obligations, new requirements for energy performance certificates, mandatory life-cycle assessment for new builds, and amendments to the Buildings Electromobility Infrastructure Act.
On 1 January 2028, provisions on the zero-emission standard apply to new public non-residential buildings.
On 1 January 2030, the general definition and further specification of the zero-emission building follow.
Transitional provisions determine what applies to existing buildings and what applies to new builds. For operators, this means that the deadlines and thresholds relevant to them must be checked against the current text of the law and the associated ordinances before any investment decision. This check should be documented so that evidence can be provided to authorities at a later date.
What role does the EU Buildings Directive play for the GModG?
The GModG transposes the revised EU Buildings Directive EPBD, Directive 2024/1275, into German law. This directive sets the framework that member states must fill in at national level and includes, among other things, requirements for building automation in larger non-residential buildings. It also maps out a path towards lowering the capacity threshold above which a building must be fitted with automation and control technology in the coming years. This means more buildings will gradually be brought into scope. In practical terms, this means that the regulatory importance of building automation continues to grow, regardless of how the national detail provisions turn out in each case. Operators who invest in automation and control technology early are therefore largely on the safe side irrespective of the exact timing of individual deadlines, because the direction of regulation is clear and the number of buildings captured will increase rather than decrease in the future.
Related terms
Sources and further information
- Betterspace: Regulatorik, ESG und Resilienz für Betreiber
- Bundesregierung: Neues Gebäudemodernisierungsgesetz
- Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz/Bundesgesetzblatt: Gesetz zur Änderung des Gebäudeenergiegesetzes, zur Änderung des Gebäude-Elektromobilitätsinfrastruktur-Gesetzes und zur Änderung weiterer Vorschriften im Wärmebereich