The Ministry of Economic Affairs says it wants to reform the Building Energy Act (GEG) “promptly” and remains optimistic that it can meet the target date. “We have set a tight timeframe and are trying to keep it” a spokesperson told dtn news on Monday. “We see the interest, we also see the problem: we need to move fast”.
The challenge is that the proposed reform law must come into force by no later than 1 July 2026. If it does not, all German cities with more than 100,000 residents will still be bound by a rule that the federal coalition has pushed forward, requiring new heating systems to be at least 65 percent climate‑neutral. The SPD reportedly resists dropping this controversial provision-one that had sparked headlines as a “heating ban” under former Economy Minister Habeck.
The parliamentary process will take so long that experts now believe the July target is already tight.
The ministry said it would not comment on a possible decree that could be issued if the timetable cannot be kept. “We want a law made together with the Bundestag, through the parliamentary process” the spokesperson added, stressing that all parties would be involved.
