Italy has not provided a satisfactory response to requests to ban incentives for “stand-alone” boilers. into methane from January 2025. It was this dispute that led to the sending of a letter in which Brussels effectively opened the first step of a possible infringement procedure, this time related to the implementation Building energy performance guidelines (Epbd), Eco-Friendly Home Instructions.
Violation
Prohibition incentives for boilers are the first obligation in the timeline, linked to the EPBD. In fact, Italy had taken timely steps to provide tax breaks, which have since been banned starting January 2025both ecobonuses and renovation bonuses remain valid only for integrated boilers on hybrid devices (therefore, connected to the heat pump and different from “stand-alone” ones). A notification has also been sent to Brussels regarding this.
However, the contribution of Thermal Account 2.0 remains alive, still actively waiting to be replaced by a new one Thermal account 3.0which will come into force at the end of this year: this instrument still provides incentives related to condensing boilers for PAs. In addition, there are no incentive framework regulations that provide a definite map regarding the cancellation of all incentives for boilers. It is from these elements that Brussels’ protests against Italy will emerge. The Commission considers that in this context, it is still unclear whether tax reduction is the only incentive available or there are other incentives.
Letters of non-compliance with the EPBD have also been notified, along with Italy to Estonia and Hungary. These countries now have two months to respond. If their explanation is not satisfactory, the infringement procedure will proceed. Meanwhile, the implementation of the Environmentally Friendly Homes directive will also run smoothly.
Italian obligations
In fact, by the end of 2025, Italy must send its plans to Brussels national restructuring planwhere he will explain how he plans to achieve the goals set by the EU. The Commission must then make observations on the draft, to arrive at a definitive plan by the end of 2026. However, currently, the plan has not been sent to Brussels. In addition, the transposition of the directive must be completed by 29 May 2026. The transposition, for now, is not planned in accordance with European law this year.
