Q&A on Energy Perfomance Certification

Reviewed by Raúl Ferrão on December 8, 2023

In Portugal, the energy certificate became mandatory by law in December 2013 for all properties, whether for sale or rent, whether new or old.

The document must be presented when signing the purchase and sale contract, financial lease, or lease, certifying information about the energy class to which the property belongs. Even prior to signing the contract, it is mandatory to have the energy performance certificate before you list your real estate in a real estate agency.

Buildings that undergo interventions exceeding 25% of their value are also required to have a valid energy performance certificate.

What is the Energy Performance Certificate?

Since December 2013, every building constructed, sold, or leased to a new tenant in Portugal must have an Energy Performance Certificate, and the result of this energy classification must be displayed in any property sale or lease advertisement.

This certificate, generally valid for ten years, is a document that describes the building's efficiency in terms of primary energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions.

Properties are categorized with letters (A+, A, B, B-, C, D, E, and F) according to the certification result, with the A+ grade (the highest rating) given to properties that potentially consume less energy, while the F grade (the minimum rating) is assigned to properties that consume much more energy. Similarly, they are categorized with a letter (from A+ to F equally) in terms of CO2 emissions associated with this energy consumption. The ultimate goal of this regulation is to promote buildings with high energy efficiency.

What is the purpose of an energy certificate?

The aim is to raise awareness among future buyers and tenants and promote the demand for energy-efficient properties.

By reporting the energy behavior of a building, i.e., its energy demand and consumption based on its facilities and structural elements, it is intended that individuals understand that buildings with a higher energy rating will consume less energy, leading to lower monthly energy bills.

Does the energy certificate have to be carried out by a specific company?

The energy rating of a building can be done by any competent technician chosen by the building owner.

Keep in mind that only Qualified Experts (PQ) accredited by ADENE can carry out the energy assessment of properties and issue energy certificates. Qualified Experts (PQ) are architects or engineers with professional experience of 5 years or more, specifically trained and evaluated by ADENE.

What is the validity of the energy performance certificate?

The validity period of energy certificates is 10 years for residential and small commercial and service buildings and 6 years for large commercial and service buildings, for SCE certificates issued until April 30, 2015.

Owners can voluntarily update them before the end of the specified period if they believe there are variations in the building that may modify the energy efficiency certificate.

How to obtain an energy performance certificate?

If you need to obtain an energy certificate for your property, you can call us to the number 00351 962 196 699. At Neves & Ferrão, we have already carried out energy certification for more than 10,000 properties.

We can guarantee the delivery of energy certificates within 6 working days. If you wish, and for an additional urgency fee, we can deliver the energy certificate within 24 hours.

Moreover, our prices are attractive, and energy performance certification is carried out by qualified experts integrated into our team, the only professionals qualified to conduct this job.