Energy Performance Certificate in Portugal explained

In Portugal, most homes are not prepared for excessively high or low temperatures, generating high energy consumption due to the use of heaters, air conditioning or fans. At a time when sustainability is a hot topic and when energy prices reach historic highs on a daily basis, it is important to know the level of energy efficiency of a house and how to improve it to save the environment and money on household bills. As well as this, you will need to apply for an Energy Performance Certificate in Portugal if you want to sell your property. This is our guide to the Energy Performance Certificate in Portugal.  

What is an energy certificate?

An energy certificate, also commonly known as an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is the document that evaluates the energy efficiency of a property on a scale from A+ (very efficient) to F (not efficient), issued in Portugal by qualified experts recognised by the Agency for Energy (ADENE).

How to get an energy performance certificate in Portugal

Since it is compulsory for both new and pre-owned buildings to have the EPC from the moment they are placed on the market for sale or rent. The process of getting one is simple, as explained by Casavo, the digital platform for the residential market. Here are 5 tips on how to obtain an energy performance certificate for your property in Portugal:

1. Contact a qualified surveyor: only those surveyors with a minimum experience of 5 years and recognised by the Agency for Energy (ADENE), the managing entity of the Energy Certification System for Buildings, are qualified to assess and determine the efficiency of a property and subsequently issue the document, so it is important to ensure that you consult the right expert.
2. Ask for a quote: the price of registering and issuing the energy certificate varies according to the size of the house and the use of the spaces (residential or commercial and services), to which must be added the surveyor's fees.
3. Schedule a visit: after you have decided which surveyor to appoint, the expert will have to visit the house to analyse and evaluate it. During this visit, they will try to gather as much information as possible in order to assess the energy efficiency of the house in order to grant you the correct certificate.
4. Gather the necessary information: before the visit, all the documentation on the property must be gathered, namely, a copy of the property's floor plan, the caderneta predial urbana, the certificate of registration of the property and the technical file, which must include the technical specifications of the house's materials and systems.
5. Consult the first draft of the report: it is important to ask to verify the initial version of the report and check the data in the document. Before it is officially issued, the expert can send a copy, without legal validity, so that the owner can confirm that everything is in accordance with the visit.

How much does an energy performance certificate cost?

The registration and issuing fees for the EPC in Portugal for a residential property vary from 28 euros (T0 and T1) to 65 euros (T6+) plus VAT. On top of this, you need to add the fees charged by the surveyor of your choice, and this price varies greatly depending on the technician and the property. Prices usually start around 100 euros for flats and apartments, while 250 euros is a rough starting price for houses and villas. Remember that paying this amount to begin with will mean you will avoid a hefty fine in the event of non-compliance. Fines for not having an energy performance certificate when selling your home in Portugal can reach up to almost 4,000 euros.