Energy Label C Mandatory in 2026: What Does This Mean for Your Home?

From 2026, the government will impose stricter requirements on energy labels. What does this mean for sellers, buyers, and landlords — and how can you improve your label at low cost?

# Energy Label C Mandatory in 2026: What Does This Mean for Your Home? In 2026, the energy label will play a more significant role than ever. A minimum label C has long been required for office buildings, and for homes, the label is also becoming an increasingly weighty factor in the sales price. ## What's Changing? - **Office buildings**: minimum label C has been mandatory since 2023. A building without a sufficient label = no longer rentable as an office. - **Rental homes**: from 2026, stricter points valuation — label E/F/G leads to point deduction and lower maximum rent. - **Owner-occupied homes**: no mandatory minimum label yet, but banks are increasingly scrutinizing sustainability risks when providing mortgages. ## Impact on Sales Price Research by CBS and DNB shows that homes with label A/B yield on average **5 to 10% more** than comparable homes with label E/F/G. For a house priced at €475,000, that quickly amounts to a difference of €25,000 - €47,000. ## Quickly Improve Your Label | Measure | Indicative Costs | Label Jump | |---|---|---| | Cavity wall insulation | €1,000 - €2,000 | 1 level | | Floor insulation | €1,500 - €3,000 | 1 level | | HR++ glass | €4,000 - €8,000 | 1-2 levels | | Solar panels (8 panels) | €4,500 - €6,000 | 1-2 levels | | Heat pump (hybrid) | €6,000 - €9,000 | 2 levels | Many measures are eligible for the ISDE subsidy or a green mortgage with interest rate discount. ## Selling with a Poor Label? It's possible, but be realistic about the price. Buyers factor in sustainability costs. A fair asking price and transparency about improvement potential work better than an overly high asking price. [Request a free valuation](/waardebepaling) — we always include the energy label in our pricing advice.