The Berlin-based consultancy M3E has presented a white paper on the foreseeable implications of the EPBD amendment (Directive (EU) 2024/1275) for the German Act on Building Electromobility Infrastructure (GEIG). This practical guide, available free of charge, explains the current legal framework as well as the impending tightening of regulations and outlines which investments will be required for building owners and operators in the future. The analysis covers everything from the European legal basis to national requirements and specific corporate issues.
The revision of the GEIG serves to transpose the amended EU Building Directive into national law. The EU implementation deadline expired on 28 May 2026. The German government presented the draft bill on 5 May 2026, and the Federal Cabinet approved the bill on 13 May 2026. The first reading in the German Bundestag took place on 11 June 2026. According to the will of the German government, the new regulations are to come into force before 1 July 2026. The amendment foresees a reduction in thresholds and an expansion of obligations. For new residential buildings, the requirements will apply from more than three parking spaces, and for non-residential buildings from more than five parking spaces.
A significant new feature is the obligation to pre-cable at least half of the parking spaces. In addition, requirements for smart and partially bidirectional charging are being introduced. For office buildings, at least one charging point per two parking spaces is foreseen. Furthermore, existing non-residential buildings with more than 20 parking spaces will be subject to their own regulations from 1 January 2027. Dr. Christian Milan, founder and managing director of M3E GmbH, notes that the GEIG amendment transposes a foreseeable development into valid law and significantly brings forward the time for action for owners, real estate companies and project developers. The reduction in thresholds and the initial obligation for pre-cabling require early consideration in construction and renovation planning to avoid costly retrofitting.
In addition to legal aspects, the white paper also addresses the economic dimension. It identifies civil engineering, electrical installation and grid connection as the largest cost factors, which also hold the greatest potential for savings. According to M3E's assessment, total investments can be reduced by 20 to 40 per cent through load management instead of grid expansion, bundling of multiple locations, preparatory installations during renovations, and standardisation. The guide also compares various operating models, including self-operation, CPO models or tenant electricity, and classifies their suitability for different portfolio sizes.
The guide also provides information on relevant funding programmes at federal, state and municipal levels. The federal programme 'Charging in Multi-Party Buildings' plays a central role, with a total volume of EUR 500 million to support the expansion of private charging infrastructure in existing buildings, for which applications have been possible since 15 April 2026. In addition, low-interest KfW investment loans as well as various state and municipal programmes are available. The white paper also outlines the consequences of non-compliance with the regulations. The GEIG provides for fines of up to EUR 10,000. Non-fulfilment of obligations cannot be compensated by a payment, as the obligation to implement remains. In extreme cases, the authority can order the implementation of measures and impose the costs on the responsible party.
Dennis Nonnenkamp, Head of Consulting at M3E GmbH, states that most enquiries currently concern not the 'whether', but the 'how and when' of implementation. The guide summarises the relevant information, from checklists to cost considerations and current funding programmes, in one place to enable companies to make well-founded decisions. The white paper 'Expected Impact of the EPBD Amendment (2024/1275) on the German Act on Building Electromobility Infrastructure (GEIG)' is being published in its first version and will be continuously adapted to further legislation.
