Oil or gas boiler: what is still allowed in 2026 in Brussels and Flanders

In short: nobody has to rip out a boiler that works. But in Brussels, no oil boiler may be installed during works since 1 June 2025, and gas will be excluded from heavy renovations with a permit from 2030. In Flanders, oil is excluded from new builds and major energy renovations, and can no longer replace an old boiler where natural gas is available. Situation as of 3 November 2026.

In Brussels

• Oil: since 1 June 2025, no new oil boilers, with or without a planning permit.
• Gas, renovation "treated as new build" (at least 75% of the walls and the technical installations redone): gas boilers banned since 1 January 2025.
• Gas, heavy renovation (at least 50% of the walls and the technical installations): gas boilers banned for permit applications filed from 1 January 2030.
• Simple replacement of a gas boiler, without heavy renovation: still possible today, with an EPB acceptance of the heating.

In Flanders

• Oil: banned in new builds and during a major energy renovation. An old oil boiler can no longer be replaced with a new oil boiler if natural gas is available in the street.
• Gas: a gas condensing boiler remains allowed in existing homes.
• Grant: Mijn VerbouwPremie for a heat pump remains open to all incomes, whereas it has been dropped for most other works for higher incomes since March 2026.

For a specific case (no gas in the street, apartment building…), your heating engineer checks which rule applies at your address.

My oil boiler has broken down: what now?

1. Have it repaired if possible: that is allowed.
2. If it must be replaced, compare the options: gas condensing boiler (if gas is available), air-to-water heat pump or a hybrid system.
3. Plan for the tank: an oil tank taken out of service must be emptied, cleaned and neutralised or removed according to your region's rules.

Gas condensing boiler or heat pump?

• Gas condensing boiler: lower investment, quick installation (often 2 to 4 days), but this option is increasingly restricted.
• Heat pump: higher investment, but no fossil fuel and a grant in Flanders. It works best in a well-insulated house, with low-temperature radiators or underfloor heating.

Our advice: if you plan to insulate the roof and replace the windows, do it before or together with the heating. A better-insulated house needs a smaller, and therefore cheaper, heat pump. For the order of works, see our article on renovation timelines.

Frequently asked questions

Must I remove my oil boiler before a certain date? No, not in Brussels and not in Flanders today. The bans cover installing new boilers, not using old ones.

Does the heating count for the energy certificate? Yes. Replacing an old boiler improves the rating, which helps reach class E in Brussels by 2033 or label D in Flanders after a purchase. See our article on EPB in Brussels.

Your heating in your renovation

CULA coordinates replacing the heating with your other works (insulation, bathroom, electrics), in Brussels and the surrounding area. Free quote within 48 hours: request your quote.

Sources: Brussels Environment, EPB requirements for works (consulted on 3 November 2026); industry information on the Flemish boiler rules (Luminus, Febupro, 2026). These rules change: check with your region before deciding.