When do you need an energy performance certificate in Hungary?

The energy performance certificate is a document that shows the energy efficiency of a building or apartment. It is relevant when a piece of real estate is sold or rented. It must be provided by the seller or the landlord to give the buyer or renter a better idea of what to expect in energy costs.

What exactly is an energy performance certificate?

The energy performance certificate is a document created by a provider specialized in reviewing the energy consumption and efficiency of a piece of property. In Hungarian, the energy performance certificate is called “energetikai tanúsítvány”. In English, it is sometimes also referred to as an

• Energy efficiency certificate
• Energy certificate
• Energetics certificate

The document contains information about the types of walls, doors and windows, insulation, heating and cooling, energy sources, and energy consumption (all supported by photos made on location). Based on this information, the house or apartment gets two “grades”, one on energy efficiency and one on CO₂ emission. The grades go from A+++ for best to I for worst results.

The document might also contain suggestions for improving the energy efficiency of the home, which you can use as a starting point when planning improvements.

When is the energy certificate relevant?

Getting an energy certificate might be relevant to you if you want to learn more about the energy consumption of your home. Based on that, you can identify “leaks” where heat or energy is seeping away, which will let you plan more relevant improvements.

Getting an energy certificate is also relevant when a piece of property is sold or rented. The seller or the landlord is required to provide accurate information about the home to the buyer or renter, and this includes information about energy efficiency. Practically, this means that the owner should contact a professional to get an evaluation before they want to sell or rent their property.

The evaluation costs around EUR 70-120, but prices vary based on the type, size, and location of the home, as well as by provider.

The energy performance certificate is valid for 5 years, so if you rent out real estate, you do not have to get a new certificate every time you get a new renter. However, if you have made major renovations which could have improved your grade, it might be worth getting a new evaluation so you have better prospects on the real estate market.

Getting an energy performance certificate is mandatory for:

• property sale
• property lease
• for new builds: to get an authorization of use
• when you apply for a subsidy to realize upgrades related to energy efficiency

Getting an energy performance certificate is not mandatory for:

• A house with a useful floor area below 50 m² (ca. 540 sqft)
• A holiday home (which is intended to be used for less than 4 months / year)
• Temporary buildings set up at a construction site (which is intended to stay there for less than 2 years)
• Buildings meant for religious purposes (churches or chapels)
• Agricultural buildings with low energy requirements
• Workshops or other buildings raised in industrial areas (additional conditions apply)

How to get an energy efficiency certificate?

To get an energy efficiency certificate, you will need to hire a specialist who can prepare it for you. It might be easiest to simply search the internet for “energetikai tanúsítvány” and the name of the city or town where you need it. You will be able to check the credentials of the specialist in the database of the Hungarian Chamber of Architects or the Hungarian Chamber of Engineers. Look for the mark “TÉ” among their qualifications.

You are free to ask for a price quote from various specialists. Once you have selected a provider, you can make an appointment when they will visit your home to take a look around and take photos of the relevant parts of your home (these will be included in the certificate). They might also ask you some questions. After the visit, the specialist will create their report based on what they saw and the information available in the land registry.

You can expect to receive the energy performance certificate in a few days. The certificate will have an ID number on it starting with HET, which will let you check its validity online. On the website of the National Building Registry, you can type in the address or the land registration number, and you will be shown whether the location has a valid energy performance certificate, together with the ID number of the certificate and the two grades the home received.

Finding a home in Hungary

If you are looking for a home in Hungary, make sure to ask the seller or the landlord for the energy performance certificate to get a better idea of what living in your new home will be like, and how much you should expect to pay for utilities. (If you are selling or leasing, make sure to acquire this document before you start advertising, because serious candidates will be asking for it.)

Helpers Hungary provides comprehensive services for foreigners interested in living and doing business in Hungary. While we are not a real estate agency, we also provide assistance when dealing with real estate, whether you are looking for a new home or a lucrative investment. Our team of 20+ professionals would be happy to help you too.

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