The European Commission has called on Cyprus and 25 other EU member states to incorporate strengthened energy-efficiency rules into national law, after failing to meet the transposition deadline for the Energy Efficiency Directive (EU) 2023/1791.
The Commission announced on Friday that it has opened infringement proceedings by sending formal letters to all member states except the Czech Republic. The Directive, adopted in 2023, had to be transposed by 11 October 2025. Letters were therefore issued to Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden, in addition to Cyprus.
The updated rules set a binding EU-wide target to cut final energy consumption by 11.7% by 2030 compared with 2020 projections. Member states must also ensure the public sector leads by example: reducing its own final energy use by 1.9% annually (against 2021 levels) and renovating at least 3% of public buildings each year.
The Directive also promotes the creation of national “one-stop shops” to provide free advice, guidance and practical support for energy-efficiency measures and renovations, with a focus on vulnerable households and those living in the least efficient buildings. It further strengthens the role of energy-efficiency services, including energy service companies and innovative financing tools.
Member states now have two months to respond, complete the transposition process and notify the Commission. If the replies are deemed insufficient, the Commission may issue a reasoned opinion as the next step in the infringement procedure.