Flanders revises the allowances and missions of the energy houses

The Flemish Government has revised the accreditation conditions, basic tasks, and allowances for energy houses via a decree of September 18, 2026, published in the Belgian Official Gazette No. 236 of October 16, 2026 (p. 55825-55826) under reference C − 2026/007590. The text amends the Energy Decree of November 19, 2010, and increases the budget allocated to basic tasks from 15 to 20 million euros. The basic allowance is set at 3 euros per private household, plus a bonus of 1 euro for municipalities that contribute substantially to the service.

A support scheme realigned with the 2025 European decision

The decree incorporates into the Energy Decree a definition from Commission (EU) Decision 2025/2630 of December 16, 2025, regarding public service compensation paid to undertakings entrusted with services of general economic interest, which repeals Decision 2012/21/EU. The reference to the former framework is replaced within the subsidy regime for energy houses, and Article 11.1.6, paragraph 5, now allows for compatibility with Decision 2012/21/EU “or with Decision (EU) 2025/2630”.

The mechanism is based on the Energy Decree of May 8, 2009. The Council of State issued its opinion No. 79.816/1/V on August 31, 2026, and the Flemish Minister in charge of budgetary policy gave their approval on July 8, 2026.

Three euros per household, one euro bonus

The new Article 7.9.3/1, § 2, paragraph 2, sets the amounts as follows:

• 3 euros per private household in the municipalities within the energy house’s area of operation;
• 1 euro of additional allowance per private household in municipalities providing a substantial contribution to the energy house’s services;
• 40,000 euros for energy houses covering one to five municipalities, increased by 8,000 euros per additional city or municipality.

The number of households taken into account is frozen: until December 31, 2031, it is equated to the number of private households established in the municipality as of January 1, 2026. The amounts remain indexed according to the existing rule until December 31, 2026, and are then indexed annually starting January 1, 2028, based on the health index of December 2026.

Municipalities and housing-energy desks called upon to contribute

The 1-euro bonus is subject to a municipal commitment, consisting of two phases:

• from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2027, the municipality must prepare, together with the energy house, an easily accessible housing and energy desk by January 1, 2028, at the latest, materialized by an agreement concluded by September 30, 2027, at the latest;
• from January 1, 2028, to December 31, 2031, the municipality must commit via agreement, before the start of the activity year, to contribute to the services of the energy house, with the contribution amounting to at least 1 euro per private household or the equivalent in personnel.

The VEKA determines this equivalent based on municipal salary scales. The bonus is not granted when the energy house compensates the municipality for the execution of basic tasks; it must serve to execute complementary missions regarding collective renovations, according to a framework provided by the VEKA.

Minimum area of operation and redefined basic tasks

Approval now requires an area of operation covering one or more municipalities totaling at least 35,000 private households. The basic tasks are reformulated: stimulating interest in energy saving and renovation via website, publications, and information sessions; providing tailored advice to individuals; preparing and executing renovation works, including through a collective approach; supervising the municipal housing and energy desk and cooperating with the authors of the energy scans designated by the municipality. In the event of an increase or decrease in allowances, an addendum updating target values and intermediate objectives must be concluded with the minister, failing which the VEKA applies a proportional adjustment for a maximum of three months.

The decree was signed in Brussels on September 18, 2026, by the Minister-President M. DIEPENDAELE and the Flemish Minister for Housing, Energy and Climate, Tourism and Youth, M. DEPRAETERE. Article 1, Article 2, 1°, Article 3, 2°, and Articles 4 to 7 enter into force on January 1, 2027; Article 3, 1° and 3°, only on January 1, 2028.

For readers, the stake is twofold: energy houses have an expanded budget of 5 million euros, but the payment of the bonus now depends on a written commitment from the municipalities and the establishment of an integrated housing-energy desk. Households undergoing renovation, particularly those using a collective approach, are the primary beneficiaries of this reorientation.

Source: Belgian Official Gazette no. 236 of October 16, 2026, decree of the Flemish Government of September 18, 2026, C − 2026/007590, p. 55825-55826.