---
title: "Nearly zero-energy building"
description: "Nearly zero-energy building (EPBD IV): very high energy performance, no worse than the 2023 cost-optimal level, largely covered by renewable energy."
canonical: "https://gencompl.ai/glossary/nearly-zero-energy-building"
language: "en-US"
type: "Glossary term"
published: "2026-10-14T18:26:10.361Z"
modified: "2026-10-14T19:17:36.882Z"
---

# Nearly zero-energy building

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.

Also known as: bijna energieneutraal gebouw (BENG)

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

Defined in: [EPBD IV](https://gencompl.ai/regulations/epbd) (32024L1275)

[Home](https://gencompl.ai/) › [Glossary](https://gencompl.ai/glossary) › Nearly zero-energy building

> 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

- [EPBD IV (32024L1275)](https://gencompl.ai/regulations/epbd), Article 2, point (3)

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.

> **What we could not establish**
>
> The definition leaves "a very significant extent" unquantified, so the share of renewable energy is set nationally. This entry fixes the term. It does not decide whether the term catches your institution; counsel decides that.

## 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.

## Sources

- [Directive (EU) 2024/1275 on the energy performance of buildings (recast)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1275/oj/eng) (EUR-Lex · 8 May 2024)
- [Besluit van 21 april 2026 tot wijziging van het Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (eerste tranche EPBD IV), Stb. 2026, 103](https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stb-2026-103.html) (Officiële bekendmakingen · 7 May 2026)

## Related content

### Regulation

- [Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD IV)](https://gencompl.ai/regulations/epbd): 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.