New Year, New Rules: Your 2026 Real Estate Update

The holidays are over, the Christmas decorations have been put away, and our schedules are back on track. January always feels a bit like a fresh start. New plans, fresh energy… and in the real estate sector? New rules of the game. From the EPC for non-residential buildings to stricter housing quality standards in Brussels, from changes to the My Renovation Grant to new conditions for registration fees. There’s a lot in the pipeline. What exactly is changing? What do you need to know right now? And above all, how do you stay one step ahead? Time to look ahead. 

Please keep in mind that a number of measures are still going through the legislative process and therefore have yet to be formally approved. 

What exactly is changing?

My Renovation Rebate: Less Is More?

Starting in 2026, the "My Renovation Grant" will be significantly reduced. The two highest income brackets will no longer be eligible, non-residential buildings will lose the subsidy entirely, and the EPC label subsidy and the demolition and reconstruction subsidy will also be abolished. The good news is that subsidies for heat pumps will remain in place, ensuring that sustainable investments continue to be supported. 

Registration fees: now available at a huge discount

Anyone purchasing a home in 2026 will only be eligible for the preferential rate of 2% if the purchase is made by natural persons and in full ownership. Joint purchases or bare ownership are no longer eligible. There is also a residency requirement: you must register at the purchased address within three years and remain registered there for at least one year. Previously, buyers could sometimes save up to 37,600 euros through loopholes, but that will be a thing of the past starting in 2026.

EPC number for every large non-residential building

Not only large buildings, but all non-residential buildings—both large and small—must have an EPC NR starting in 2026. But what exactly is that? The EPC NR (Energy Performance Certificate for Non-Residential Buildings) shows how energy-efficient an office, store, or other non-residential building is, with a rating ranging from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). This requirement applies even if the property is not being sold or rented. Energy remains king.

Brussels is tightening housing standards

Landlords in Brussels, take note: the bar is being raised. Starting in 2026, stricter rules will be in place to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, ensuring tenants can live more safely. In addition, the minimum floor area requirements for rental properties will be increased, and every home must now be equipped with a bathtub or shower. The message is clear: quality comes first.