Changes to France's Energy Performance Diagnostic from 2027 Impact Algerian Property Owners

An official decree published in the French Journal officiel on August 26, 2026, modifies the energy performance diagnostic (DPE) for residential buildings in metropolitan France, effective January 1, 2027. The decree changes the coefficient applied to electricity consumption in DPE calculations from 1.9 to 1.7. This adjustment translates to a 10.5% decrease in the electrical component of energy consumption. As a result, approximately 300,000 residential properties currently classified as F or G will be reclassified without requiring additional renovations.

The updated coefficient reflects the conversion of electricity consumption into primary energy, which accounts for the energy required to produce and transport electricity. The new coefficient of 1.7 replaces the previous value of 1.9, which was introduced in January 2026. Prior to that, the coefficient was 2.3 until the end of 2025. The changes do not affect the coefficients for gas, oil, or wood consumption. Consequently, properties heated by gas will not benefit from the updated coefficient.

According to an impact study submitted to the Conseil supérieur de l'énergie, the number of "energy-efficient" properties in the primary residence sector is expected to decrease by around 10%, which corresponds to approximately 300,000 properties. Of these, nearly 200,000 are expected to move out of the F category, and around 100,000 out of the G category. In the private rental sector, the decline is anticipated to be 14%, affecting about 125,000 properties.

The French government has implemented a ban on renting properties classified as G since January 1, 2025, and those classified as F will face a similar ban starting January 1, 2028. Properties classified as E will be prohibited from being rented from January 1, 2034. However, properties that remain classified as G are still subject to renovation obligations.

Existing DPEs remain valid for ten years, and property owners are not required to obtain a new diagnostic report. However, property owners can obtain a free attestation document on the website of the Observatoire du diagnostic de performance énergétique et de l’audit énergétique, which reflects the updated classification. This attestation can be downloaded by anyone with the 13-character registration number printed on the first page of the diagnostic report.

The updated classification can be obtained remotely, allowing Algerian property owners to access the new classification without needing to hire a diagnostician to visit the property. This process can be completed by providing the required documentation and registration number. The attestation document does not extend the validity period of the original DPE and expires on the same date as the original report.

Properties occupied for less than four months per year are exempt from the diagnostic obligation. The updated regulations also apply to energy audits, which follow a similar procedure for obtaining an attestation document. Algerian property owners can take advantage of this process to update their property's classification and comply with the changing regulations in France.

Key points

• Approximately 300,000 residential properties in France will be reclassified without requiring additional renovations due to the updated energy performance diagnostic.