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No gas for a new home, so plan its heating around a heat pump or heat network

Since 2025 a new home, or a home demolished and rebuilt, can't be connected to the gas grid. Heating must come from a heat pump, a heat network, biomass with a heat pump, or direct electric heating.

Flanders · Subject to change

Sources checked on · next check by . Check the source before you act.

HeatingLevel 5 · Deep renovationCost: €2,500–25,000Weeks or months

For building permits applied for since 1 January 2025, a new home in Flanders can't get a gas connection. The ban covers homes and other buildings alike, and a home that is demolished and rebuilt counts as new build.

Under the EPB rules for new homes, the heating can then only come from a heat pump, a heat network, a biomass boiler together with a heat pump, or direct electric heating. It must also work at a low temperature: the heat emitters are designed for a flow temperature of at most 45 °C.

Looking further ahead, the Flemish government approved in principle a draft decree in July 2026 under which all new buildings would have to be emission-free from 2030, and public buildings from 2028. It is not law yet: the draft has gone to advisory councils first.

Details

ImpactIndirect · This saves no energy by itself: it is a rule, a service, a contract, or a health or safety item. How we rate impact
Estimated savingNot quantified; the rule decides which heating systems a new home can use. (confidence: low)
Who actsYou (owner)
Needs landlord's agreementNo
TypeRules explained

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Sources

  1. Aansluiting voor elektriciteit of aardgas (in Dutch) · Vlaamse overheid (vlaanderen.be) (official source) · checked on
    Backs: a gas connection is banned for new build and rebuild permit applications since 1 January 2025
    Where: section 'Aardgas'
  2. Geen aardgasaansluitingen meer bij nieuwbouw en nieuwe grote projecten (in Dutch) · Vlaamse overheid (vlaanderen.be) (official source) · checked on
    Backs: the ban covers homes and other buildings; demolish-and-rebuild counts as new build
    Where: sections 'Geen aardgasaansluiting meer bij nieuwbouw en heropbouw' and 'Veelgestelde vragen'
  3. EPB-eisen bij bouwaanvraag/melding vanaf 2025 (EPB-pedia) (in Dutch) · Vlaams Energie- en Klimaatagentschap (EPB-pedia) (official source) · checked on
    Backs: heating only by heat pump, heat network, biomass boiler with a heat pump, or direct electric heating; design flow temperature of at most 45 °C
    Where: section 'Wijzigingen t.o.v. de voorgaande periode'
  4. Omzetting Europese Richtlijn over de energieprestatie van gebouwen - voorontwerp van decreet (Ministerraad 17 juli 2026) (in Dutch) · Vlaamse Regering (official source) · checked on
    Backs: draft decree approved in principle; emission-free new build from 2030, from 2028 for public buildings; sent to advisory councils

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