Germany scraps controversial heating law to allow more oil and gas systems
German leaders have agreed to scrap strict heating rules to give households more choice. New plans allow oil and gas systems that use climate-friendly fuels.
Germany 
DE's coalition parties have agreed to remove key parts of the 2023 heating law, allowing homeowners to continue installing oil and gas heating systems. This decision, announced today on February 25, 2026, replaces the previous requirement that most new systems use at least 65% renewable energy with staged minimum shares of climate-friendly fuels, such as biomethane. The move fundamentally alters regulatory obligations for building emissions across the country.
DE's coalition parties have agreed to remove key parts of the 2023 heating law, allowing homeowners to continue installing oil and gas heating systems. This decision, announced today on February 25, 2026, replaces the previous requirement that most new systems use at least 65% renewable energy with staged minimum shares of climate-friendly fuels, such as biomethane. The move fundamentally alters regulatory obligations for building emissions across the country.The decision follows the coalition agreement and weeks of intra-coalition wrangling among the coalition parties, including the Greens, the Social Democrats (SPD), and the FDP, as well as Merz's conservatives. Prominent political figures such as Robert Habeck and Friedrich Merz were central to the negotiations. This policy shift reflects the ongoing debate over how to manage the national transition to cleaner energy sources while addressing the concerns of various political factions.
