The 1 January 2027 deadline is approaching: existing non-residential buildings with a larger car park must be ready for EV charging. Here is a clear summary of who is affected and what exactly you must do.
Who the obligation applies to
The Czech building act (No. 283/2021 Sb.) and its implementing decree No. 146/2024 Sb. require buildings with parking to be prepared for e-mobility. After the seventh amendment of the act (effective 1 August 2025), the most important date is 1 January 2027, which also applies to existing buildings. The obligation covers three groups of buildings, each with different rules.
| Building type | Threshold | Obligation | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| New/renovated non-residential | more than 10 spaces | at least 1 charging point + ducting for every 5th space | at construction/renovation |
| New residential | more than 10 spaces | ducting for every space | at construction |
| Existing non-residential (heated/cooled) | more than 20 spaces | at least 1 charging point per 10 spaces, or ducting for at least 50 % of spaces | by 1 Jan 2027 |
The key point: existing non-residential buildings by 1 Jan 2027
What surprises most owners is the obligation for existing non-residential buildings. If you own a non-residential building with more than 20 parking spaces that uses energy for heating or cooling, by 1 January 2027 (where technically feasible) you must provide either:
- at least 1 charging point per 10 parking spaces, or
- cable preparation (ducting) for at least 50 % of the parking spaces.
This typically covers office buildings, shopping centres, parking houses, production and logistics premises, hotels and similar sites with a larger car park.
New and renovated non-residential buildings
New and significantly renovated non-residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces must have at least 1 charging point and ducting for every fifth space. The goal is that charging points can later be added easily and cheaply without demolition.
New residential buildings
New residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces need not install a charging point right away, but must prepare ducting for every parking space. Residents can then add a wallbox later without costly construction work. Practical tips for charging in apartment buildings are in our article on charging in an apartment building and HOA.
How to find out if it applies to you
Go through three simple questions:
- Is the building non-residential? The 1 Jan 2027 obligation targets non-residential buildings (offices, shops, production, hotels). Apartment buildings have a milder regime (ducting in new builds).
- Does it have more than 20 parking spaces? For existing non-residential buildings the threshold is 20 spaces; for new buildings it is 10.
- Is energy used in it for heating or cooling? The obligation applies to buildings that condition their indoor environment.
If you answered yes three times, the obligation most likely applies to you and you should address it well before the end of 2026.
Exemptions and penalties
- Cost exemption: you need not comply if the cost of charging and cabling infrastructure would exceed 7 % of the total renovation cost of the building.
- Technical feasibility: for existing buildings the obligation applies only where technically feasible.
- Penalty: non-compliance under § 167 of the building act is an offence with a fine of up to CZK 400,000.
What comes next: the EU EPBD directive
The Czech rules stem from the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Its newer version (EPBD IV, 2024/1275) is even stricter on charging infrastructure at buildings, so expect tightening rather than loosening in the future. Whoever prepares a building with a reserve avoids repeated works.
How to meet the obligation smartly
The obligation need not be just a cost. Treated as an opportunity, it gives tenants, employees and visitors a service and future-proofs the building:
- Do not do just the minimum. When you run cabling anyway, prepare more spaces than the law requires. Later expansion is then cheap.
- Choose stations with power management. Dynamic management (Load Balance) shares the available power between cars and saves you a connection upgrade.
- Consider a public paid mode. If the car park is publicly accessible, you can offer charging as a paid service via the nabij.to portal and also meet the AFIR rules.
- Go straight to the manufacturer. We supply the stations, advise on the design, and certified partners handle installation and inspection.
Is the 2027 deadline approaching for you?
We will advise exactly what your building must meet, design a solution and connect you with a certified partner for installation. Get in touch in time for peace of mind.
Často kladené otázky
Who must build a charging station under the building act?
The obligation falls on owners of new and existing non-residential buildings and builders of new residential buildings with parking above the legal threshold. Most importantly, existing non-residential buildings with more than 20 spaces (heated or cooled) must have a solution by 1 January 2027.
What exactly must an existing non-residential building meet by 1 Jan 2027?
For a building with more than 20 parking spaces you must provide at least 1 charging point per 10 spaces, or cable preparation for at least 50 % of spaces, where technically feasible. Under conditions set by the regulation, compliance can be deferred to 1 January 2029.
How many charging points must a new building have?
A new or renovated non-residential building with more than 10 spaces needs at least 1 charging point and ducting for every fifth space. A new residential building with more than 10 spaces needs ducting for every parking space.
What is the penalty for non-compliance?
Non-compliance under § 167 of the building act is an offence with a fine of up to CZK 400,000. There is a cost exemption, however, if the cost would exceed 7 % of the total renovation cost.
Does the obligation also apply to apartment buildings?
For new apartment buildings with more than 10 spaces, ducting for every space must be prepared; the charging point itself need not be installed. The 1 Jan 2027 obligation for existing buildings targets non-residential ones.