The course of the process
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| 13 May 2026 | Government draft adopted by the federal cabinet |
| 8 July 2026 | Adopted with amendments in the economics and energy committee |
| 10 July 2026 | Passed at second and third reading in the Bundestag; Bundesrat approval the same day |
| 28 July 2026 | Promulgated in the Federal Law Gazette |
| 29 July 2026 | First provisions entered into force |
The Bundestag vote was recorded: 322 members in favour, 272 against. The Bundesrat declined to convene the mediation committee.
The act enters into force in stages
This is the point that matters most in practice and the one most often abbreviated. It concerns which provision applies at which date.
| Stage | What applies |
|---|---|
| Since 29 July 2026 | the provisions on heat supply, in particular the removal of the previous renewable energy requirement |
| At later dates | individual provisions take effect from 1 January 2027 and later, according to the available information |
| Not yet in force | the provisions transposing the European buildings directive |
A checking question therefore arises on every project: which provision applies at the relevant date, and which applies only later. The allocation must be established case by case.
What replaces the renewable energy obligation
The core of the reform is a change of direction in heating regulation. Four elements make it up together.
| Element of the change | Content |
|---|---|
| The uniform requirement falls away | the obligation for newly installed heating systems to use a minimum share of renewables is repealed |
| Technology choice becomes free | heat pumps, district heating, hybrid solutions, biomass and further options stand side by side |
| A staged obligation takes its place | from 2029, progressively rising shares of climate-neutral fuels apply |
| Implementation of that quota is outstanding | the federal government must present a separate act for it by 1 December 2026 |
For advisory work the shift means the risk moves from the investment decision to running costs. Anyone installing a fossil heat generator today is choosing a system whose fuel costs will be subject to future quota requirements.
Further changes
Three points matter for design and asset management. They concern costs, building services and inspection duties.
| Point | Content |
|---|---|
| The allocation of carbon costs is recast | for new gas heating, further components join the emissions themselves |
| Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is recognised as a compliance option | a long-standing request from the sector |
| Inspection duties are extended | ventilation systems above a capacity threshold now fall within them |
The criticism of the process
A fair account of this act would be incomplete without noting the criticism that accompanied it. Three points recur in that criticism.
| Criticism | Content |
|---|---|
| The process was unusually short | only a few days were allowed for comments on the draft |
| The criticism came from several directions | those commenting included the Bundesrat and the national regulatory control council |
| The Bundestag simultaneously adopted a resolution | calling on the federal government to act at European level |
These points matter beyond politics. They suggest that further amendments are to be expected.
What follows for cost work
Three consequences are foreseeable.
| Consequence for cost work | What follows |
|---|---|
| Benchmarks from before the reform need checking | a benchmark presupposing a particular form of heat generation does not reflect the new position |
| Funding must be considered separately | funding continues and is being adjusted according to government statements |
| Running costs gain weight | where the investment decision becomes freer and fuel requirements bite in stages, risk shifts into operation |
Related articles
This article reflects the position of the legislation at the date of checking and serves professional orientation. It does not constitute legal advice and does not replace assessment of the individual case.