Energy in 2026: What will change for your home and your wallet?

Hardly have we made our New Year’s resolutions when the Flemish energy market is already making headlines again. Since 1 January 2026, a number of major changes have come into force. From a thorough overhaul of renovation subsidies to the end of tax exemptions for electric cars — we have summarised the key facts for you.

The common thread this year? The government is clearly pushing us away from natural gas and fuel oil and towards electric heat pumps. But this shift also comes with a reduction in benefits.

1. “My Renovation Grant”: Last chance for higher-income households

The biggest change will take effect on 1 March 2026. The Flemish government is fundamentally reforming access to renovation grants.

Deadline: Until 28 February 2026, the highest income groups can still apply for subsidies for basic renovation works such as insulation, new windows or exterior wall insulation.

From 1 March: The highest-income households (the wealthiest 30% of the Flemish population) will be completely excluded from these projects. Support will then be reserved exclusively for low- and middle-income households.

Exception for heat pumps: Planning to install a heat pump? Support remains available to everyone until the end of 2027. Note: For the highest-income households, the subsidy has been reduced this year to €1,500 (for air-to-water heat pumps).

2. The end of the EPC label grant

Are you planning to renovate an energy-inefficient home (energy class E or F) within the next five years? The popular EPC label grant will be discontinued permanently on 1 July 2026. Only those who complete their renovation before that date and apply for the grant (and who already had a first energy certificate before 2025) will still be eligible. For new projects, this scheme is now definitively closed.

3. The “tax shift”: cheaper electricity, more expensive gas

To make heat pumps financially more attractive than gas boilers, the tax burden has been shifted:

Reduced VAT on heat pumps: The reduced VAT rate of 6% on heat pumps is now permanent, even for homes that are less than 10 years old.

Excise duty reform: Federal energy legislation has lowered excise duties on electricity while increasing them on fossil fuels (natural gas and fuel oil). This increases the annual savings of a heat pump and shortens its payback period.

4. Electric cars lose their zero-tax status

Do you drive an electric car? Then the full tax exemption has expired. For every electric car registered from 1 January 2026 onwards, the following taxes now apply:

• Registration tax (BIV): A flat fee of €61.50.

• Annual road tax: A minimum amount starting at around €90.

Although this is still significantly less than for petrol or diesel cars, tax-free driving for electric vehicles is now officially a thing of the past.

5. Mandatory energy certificate for large buildings (> 500 m²)

A major new obligation applies to businesses and commercial property owners: from 1 January 2026, every large non-residential building (such as office buildings or commercial properties with a floor area of more than 500 m²) must have a valid energy performance certificate. Previously, this was only required when selling or renting; it is now mandatory for the building itself.