Selling

Do You Need an Energy Label When Selling a House in the Netherlands?

Yes. When you sell a home in the Netherlands you must give the buyer a valid, registered energy label, at the latest at the transfer at the notary. The label class and the energy performance indicator must also be shown in a commercial advertisement.

Check first whether a valid label already exists for your address; labels last up to ten years. If there is no valid label, arrange one before the property goes on the market. If a valid existing label no longer reflects recent improvements, you may want to obtain a new one so those improvements are reflected.

The short answers

What do I need?: A valid energy label registered in EP-Online for the address you sell, handed to the buyer at the latest at transfer, with the label class and energy performance indicator in the listing.
What does it cost?: It depends on the property type, the usable floor area and the location. Enter your postcode and house number and you see the total price, including 21% VAT, before you commit to anything. See what an energy label costs.
When can the inspection take place?: After your request we contact you to agree a time that suits you, or whoever will let the assessor in. Tell us straight away if you need the label by a particular date.
What happens during the inspection?: A qualified assessor records the dimensions, insulation, glazing, heating, hot water, ventilation and any solar panels. For an average home this takes about one to two hours. See the inspection explained.
When will I receive the label?: After the visit the data is worked out, checked and registered. There is no fixed delivery time for every home; it depends on the planning and on the property. You receive the label digitally as soon as it is registered.
Is it officially registered?: Yes. The label is registered in EP-Online, the national register managed by RVO on behalf of the Dutch government. Only a registered label is valid.

Check the total price for your address

Including VAT, the property visit and registration in EP-Online. No obligation and no deposit.

What the rules require

A valid label at transfer. The buyer receives the valid, registered label at the latest at the official transfer.

The label class in the advertisement. When the home is offered commercially, on an estate agent's website, a housing platform, social media or in print, the valid label class must be stated; RVO also mentions the energy performance indicator. “Label requested” does not replace this.

Supervision. The Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT) supervises the obligation and can impose a fine if a required label is missing.

Since 29 May 2026 this also applies to protected monuments. Only buildings that meet a legal exception, such as a detached building of 50 m² or less, are exempt. See how the Dutch energy label works.

Timing: before the listing, not before the notary

Because the energy label information must be included when the home is advertised commercially, arrange the inspection before the listing is published. That also gives you time to find evidence of insulation or other improvements, which can lead to a better and more accurate label. There is no fixed delivery time, so tell us your listing date when you apply and we tell you whether it is feasible.

Is the existing label still usable?

Labels are valid for up to ten years and stay with the property. If the home was sold or let in the past decade, there may already be one. Check an existing label first. Look at the end date: a label that expires a few days before the transfer cannot be used for that transfer.

An existing label does not change after a renovation. If you have insulated, replaced the glazing or installed a heat pump or solar panels since, a new label usually shows the home more accurately. See a new label after renovation.

Selling from abroad

You do not need to be in the Netherlands. Your estate agent, a tenant, a family member or another contact person can give the assessor access, as long as this is agreed in advance. Everything else can be arranged in English by e-mail, WhatsApp or phone. See energy labels for expats and owners abroad.

What to prepare

Access to the loft, meter cupboard, crawl space and technical areas

Invoices and photographs of insulation, glazing and installations

Drawings of extensions, dormers or loft conversions

For an apartment: documents held by the owners' association (VvE)

See documents and evidence for a Dutch energy label.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell a house in the Netherlands without an energy label?

Only if a legal exception applies. Otherwise the buyer must receive a valid, registered label at the latest at transfer, and selling without a required label can lead to a fine from the ILT.

Who is responsible, me or my estate agent?

The owner. An estate agent can place the advertisement and arrange the inspection for you, but the owner remains responsible for having a valid label.

Does a better label increase the sale price?

A label gives buyers, lenders and valuers relevant information, but it is not a guarantee of a higher value. We never promise a label class in advance.

Is the label in English?

No. It is an official Dutch document. We explain the result in English.

Sources

Official Dutch sources, in Dutch. The facts on this page follow these sources, last reviewed in September 2026. Rules change; the official sources always prevail.

Ready to arrange your energy label?

Enter your postcode and house number and see the total price for your property, including VAT. No obligation, no deposit.

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