What is the Scottish Passivhaus equivalent?
It is a planned change to the energy standards in Scotland's building regulations, intended to bring new buildings, including new homes, close to the performance of a Passivhaus. It is not Passivhaus certification: you will not need a certified Passivhaus to get a Building Warrant. Instead, Section 6 (Energy) of the Building Standards, and related standards on ventilation and overheating, will be rewritten around the principles Passivhaus uses.
The commitment followed Alex Rowley MSP's proposed Domestic Building Environmental Standards (Scotland) Bill. In January 2023 the Scottish Government agreed to introduce the standard through regulations instead, and it has been developing the detail with an Energy Standards Review working group since.
Not in force yet. The Stage 2 consultation closed on 16 October 2026. The Scottish Government now expects the new requirements to take effect in autumn 2029, with guidance published in autumn 2027. Today's homes are built to the current energy standards.
How is it different from Passivhaus?
Passivhaus is a voluntary, international standard, originally from Germany, with fixed performance targets and independent certification. A certified Passivhaus is designed in the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP), built with very high levels of insulation and airtightness, minimal thermal bridging and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and tested before it is certified.
The Scottish equivalent borrows the same five themes, set out in the proposed compliance handbook: airtight construction, high-performance insulation, thermal-bridge-free design, ventilation and optimised energy use. But it would work through the normal Building Warrant process, with targets set in the Technical Handbook and checked by the council's Building Standards team, not by a Passivhaus certifier.
| Passivhaus (certified) | Scottish equivalent (proposed) | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Voluntary | Mandatory once in force |
| Checked by | An accredited Passivhaus certifier | Building Standards, through the Building Warrant |
| Design tool | PHPP | Home Energy Model with a Scottish wrapper, or a modified PHPP |
| Main measures | Space heating demand, airtightness and primary energy targets | A delivered energy rate and a space heat demand rate |
| Certificate | Passivhaus certificate | Building Warrant and Completion Certificate, as now |
What does the Stage 2 consultation propose?
The Stage 2 consultation ran from 24 July to 16 October 2026 and covered new homes and new non-domestic buildings. For homes, the main proposals were:
- New compliance measures. A delivered energy rate and a space heat demand rate would replace the current SAP-based "notional dwelling" approach. Targets would be set in a table by location, house type, orientation and heating system.
- Fabric-first heating demand. The space heat demand target would depend on insulation, thermal bridging and airtightness, not on the heating system.
- An airtightness limit. A new maximum design air permeability, consulted on at 5 m³/(h·m²) at 50Pa.
- New calculation tools. The Home Energy Model with a Scottish wrapper for homes, and a modified PHPP as an approved alternative.
- Ventilation. Any compliant ventilation system could be used, with views sought on guidance for MVHR.
- Overheating. PHPP proposed as an additional way to assess overheating risk.
The consultation set out three options for the level of the standard: keeping the current 2023 requirements, a "Good Practice" option and a "Best Practice" option that adds stronger fabric performance and MVHR. It also asked whether the standard should be introduced in full, in phases, or as a voluntary standard first. No final decision has been published.
When will it come into force?
Later than first planned. After the Stage 1 consultation, the Scottish Government indicated the new standards would apply from 31 March 2028. In the Stage 2 consultation it moved that to autumn 2029, with guidance and approved calculation methods for standard 6.1 to be published in autumn 2027. Like earlier changes, the new standards are expected to apply to Building Warrant applications made after the date they come into force, but the transitional arrangements have not been confirmed.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Scottish Government commits to a Passivhaus equivalent | January 2023 |
| Stage 2 consultation | 24 July to 16 October 2026 |
| Guidance and calculation methods published (planned) | Autumn 2027 |
| New requirements take effect (expected) | Autumn 2029 |
What does it mean for a self-build now?
If you are applying for a Building Warrant before the new standard takes effect, your home has to meet the energy standards in force when you apply. Even so, there are good reasons to design towards the new standard now:
- Running costs. A well-insulated, airtight house needs much less heat, which suits a heat pump. See do new homes need a heat pump?
- Future value. A home that already meets the next standard will compare well when energy performance matters to buyers and lenders.
- Getting it right once. Insulation levels, airtightness and ventilation are hard to improve after the house is built.
The cheapest gains come at concept design: a compact form, sensible orientation and glazing, and simple junctions cost little and do the most. See designing for the Scottish climate and sustainable self-build.
Does it apply to extensions and conversions?
The Stage 2 proposals are for new buildings: new homes and new non-domestic buildings. Extensions and conversions are covered by other parts of the energy standards, which are not the subject of this consultation. That may change as the detail develops, so check the position when you apply for a warrant.
What is MVHR, and will I need it?
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) supplies fresh air to living rooms and bedrooms and extracts stale air from kitchens and bathrooms, passing the outgoing air through a heat exchanger to warm the incoming air. It suits very airtight homes, and it is a standard part of a certified Passivhaus. The Stage 2 proposals would allow any compliant ventilation system, but the "Best Practice" option assumes MVHR. Plan space for the unit and duct runs early, because they are hard to add later.
Does Passivhaus-level performance cost more?
Usually a little, mainly for better windows, more insulation, airtightness detailing and MVHR. The Passivhaus Trust's 2018 research put the extra cost of certified Passivhaus homes at around 4% to 8%, and says it falls with experience and good early design. Against that, the heating system can be smaller and running costs lower. Your cost plan should price the fabric and ventilation explicitly, rather than as an allowance.
What should you ask for in design and construction?
- An energy model early in the design, not just at warrant stage.
- A target for airtightness, with a test before plastering as well as at completion.
- Details for the key junctions, such as wall to floor, wall to roof and around windows, to limit thermal bridging.
- A ventilation strategy designed with the airtightness, with MVHR where it suits.
- An overheating check for rooms with large areas of glass.
- A builder with airtight construction experience, or a clear plan to train the site team.
How we help
ED Design is an architectural design studio in Stirling. We design new homes with the energy assessor from the concept stage, and can design to Passivhaus principles, or to certification with a Passivhaus designer, if you want to go further than the current regulations. See our self-build homes service.
Sources: Scottish Government: The Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard, Stage 2 consultation; Scottish Government: Stage 2 consultation and BRIA documents; Scottish Government: Energy Standards Review working group; Elmhurst Energy: revised timeline in the Stage 2 consultation; Passivhaus Trust: Scottish equivalent to Passivhaus FAQs. Last reviewed November 2026.
Questions
Is Passivhaus mandatory in Scotland?
No. Scotland is introducing a "Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard" through the building regulations, expected to take effect in autumn 2029. It will not require Passivhaus certification.
When does the Scottish Passivhaus equivalent come in?
The Scottish Government expects the new requirements to take effect in autumn 2029, with guidance published in autumn 2027. The Stage 2 consultation closed on 16 October 2026.
Will my self-build need to meet it?
Only if your Building Warrant application is made after the new standard comes into force, subject to transitional arrangements that are still to be confirmed. Until then, the current energy standards apply.
Is it worth building to Passivhaus standards now?
Often, yes. Better insulation, airtightness and ventilation are hard to add later, and lower heating demand suits a heat pump. Expect a modest extra build cost.
General guidance for Scotland, not legal, tax, financial or planning advice for your project. Rules change, so check current official guidance and take advice specific to your site before acting.
