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Glossary termPublished inEPBD IV

Nearly zero-energy building

Also known as bijna energieneutraal gebouw (BENG)

What does "Nearly zero-energy building" mean under EPBD IV?

A building with a very high energy performance, as determined in accordance with Annex I, which is no worse than the 2023 cost-optimal level reported by Member States pursuant to Article 6(2) and where the nearly zero or very low amount of energy required is covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources, including energy from renewable sources produced on-site or energy from renewable sources produced nearby

Defined in / by

Last updated: 14 October 2026.

The standard until zero-emission takes over

The nearly zero-energy building is the standard that applies before the zero-emission building replaces it. Article 7(1) is explicit about the order: until the zero-emission requirement applies, Member States must ensure that all new buildings are at least nearly zero-energy buildings. The same switch appears in the definition of deep renovation, which transforms a building into a nearly zero-energy building before 1 January 2030 and into a zero-emission building from that date.

The definition has two parts. The building's energy performance may be no worse than the 2023 cost-optimal level that the Member State reported under Article 6(2). And the small amount of energy it does need must be covered "to a very significant extent" by renewable energy, produced on site or nearby.

The term also anchors the zero-emission threshold. Article 11(3) requires the maximum energy demand of a zero-emission building to be at least 10 % lower than the national nearly zero-energy threshold as it stood on 28 May 2024.

In the Netherlands, the nearly zero-energy standard is applied through the BENG requirements (bijna energieneutraal gebouw) of the Bbl. The explanatory note to Staatsblad 2026, 103 states that the zero-emission rules will replace the current BENG requirements from 2030.

Questions and answers

Is a nearly zero-energy building the same as a zero-emission building?

No. A nearly zero-energy building has very high energy performance largely covered by renewables. A zero-emission building must also cause no on-site fossil fuel emissions and meet a lower energy threshold, at least 10 % below the national nearly zero-energy threshold of 28 May 2024.

What is the Dutch name for a nearly zero-energy building?

The Bbl uses the BENG requirements, short for bijna energieneutraal gebouw. Staatsblad 2026, 103 states that these will be replaced by zero-emission requirements from 2030.

Regulations

  • Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD IV)

    EPBD IV is Directive (EU) 2024/1275, the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The Netherlands put its first tranche into force on 29 May 2026 (Stb. 2026, 103), with duties staged to 2033: recharging points in existing car parks from 1 January 2027, solar and lighting control from 1 January 2028. Energy label D by 2030 is still a proposal.

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    Solar installations on new public and non-residential buildings above 250 m² (Article 10(3)(a))