2026 ADENE Fees: Energy Certificate Costs in Portugal

ADENE fees are the registration value of the energy certificate in the SCE Portal. For residential buildings, reference values range from €28 to €65 + VAT; for commerce and services, from €135 to €950 + VAT.

In Portugal, the energy certificate is an essential document for owners, investors, and buyers who intend to sell, lease, buy, or rehabilitate a property. In addition to indicating the energy class, the certificate can help identify opportunities to improve comfort, reduce consumption, and increase the asset’s value.

The so-called ADENE fees correspond, in a practical sense, to the registration values of the energy certificate in the SCE Portal. These values should not be confused with the total price of the service, as the final cost also includes the Qualified Expert’s fees and the applicable VAT.

Ordinance No. 138-H/2021 regulates, among other aspects, ADENE’s powers as the managing entity of the SCE and the values due for registering energy certificates in the SCE Portal.

What are ADENE fees?

ADENE fees are the amounts paid for the registration of the energy certificate in the SCE Portal — Building Energy Certification System.

In practice, when requesting an energy certificate, there are normally three cost components:

Therefore, when asking “how much does an energy certificate cost?”, it is important to understand whether the answer refers only to the registration fee or to the final price of the service.

Table of ADENE fees for energy certificates

The values below correspond to the registration values provided for in Annex III of Ordinance No. 138-H/2021, plus VAT at the legal rate in force.

The same Ordinance provides that registration values may be updated annually, based on the evolution of the consumer price index, following a notice from the director-general of DGEG and publication on the respective website. For this reason, the applicable value must always be confirmed on the SCE Portal at the time of issuance.

Are ADENE fees and the price of the energy certificate the same thing?

No. The ADENE fee is only a part of the cost.

The final price of an energy certificate depends on the registration fee, but also on the Qualified Expert’s fees, the complexity of the property, the available documentation, the need for a visit, and the type of building.

The Qualified Expert must identify and evaluate opportunities and recommendations for improving energy performance in the issued certificate, and may support the owner in implementing these measures.

When is an energy certificate mandatory?

As a rule, an energy certificate is required in situations such as sale, lease, new construction, and certain interventions in existing buildings, unless exempt under applicable legislation.

In the case of a building sale, the official SCE FAQ indicates that it cannot be carried out without an energy certificate when the property is not exempt; the certificate number must be included in the documentary supports of the deeds.

In sale or rental advertisements, the property’s energy class must also be indicated, unless the building is exempt from energy certification.

For foreign owners or investors unfamiliar with the Portuguese system, this point is particularly relevant: the energy certificate should not be treated merely as a final sale document. It can influence the purchase analysis, rehabilitation strategy, intervention cost, and the perceived value of the property.

When can there be an exemption or reduction of the ADENE fee?

It is important to distinguish between three different situations:

According to Ordinance No. 138-H/2021, certificate updates during their respective validity period are exempt from registration fees, provided there is no extension of the validity period, along with certain re-issuances for large commercial and service buildings or services subject to PDEE, when the minimum energy performance level is met.

The same Ordinance also provides for a 50% reduction for energy certificates issued following a pre-certificate, as well as for residential buildings intended for social housing belonging to public administration entities or private social solidarity institutions.

The specific application must be confirmed on a case-by-case basis, as it depends on the property, the process, and the legislation in force at the time of the request.

How to obtain an energy certificate in Portugal?

The SCE Portal summarizes the process in five steps: choose an expert, gather documentation, facilitate the property visit, follow the process, and evaluate the certificate.

In practice, the process can be organized as follows:

What documents may be required?

Required documentation may vary by property, but it is standard to prepare:

When documentation is incomplete or outdated, the process may require additional verifications. For old properties, those partially rehabilitated, or those with undocumented changes, this phase should be handled with special care.

What can the energy certificate reveal before buying or rehabilitating?

For an owner, the energy certificate fulfills an administrative obligation. For an attentive investor or buyer, it can also be a technical analysis tool.

The SCE Portal notes that the certificate can help identify measures to improve comfort and reduce energy costs, serve as a guide for rehabilitation, support access to financing, enable tax benefits in some cases, and contribute to property valuation.

When purchasing for rehabilitation, this analysis should be done before the final decision whenever possible. The energy certificate does not replace an architectural or structural assessment, but it can reveal weaknesses that influence the project, budget, and valuation strategy.

How MJARC approaches energy certification in design

At MJARC, energy certification is understood as part of a global reading of the building, rather than just a documentary requirement. The energy class is important, but it must be analyzed alongside comfort, spatial quality, constructive coherence, and passive performance.

In rehabilitation, new construction, or real estate valuation projects, energy analysis should inform decisions such as solar orientation, window design, shading, insulation, ventilation, material choice, and technical system integration. When considered early on, it allows for more consistent solutions and avoids haphazard interventions at the end of the process.

Common mistakes when requesting an energy certificate

A common mistake is confusing the ADENE fee with the final price of the energy certificate. The registration fee is only part of the cost, to which Qualified Expert fees and applicable VAT are added.

It is also common to request the certificate too late, close to the sale, rental, or deed, which can cause delays. Another issue is starting the process without gathering the necessary documentation or ignoring the certificate’s recommendations, missing the chance to improve performance and property value.

For investors, the most significant mistake is leaving energy assessment until after the purchase. For old properties or those intended for rehabilitation, this information should be cross-referenced early on with urbanistic, structural, and architectural analysis.

Energy certification and rehabilitation

In rehabilitation, energy performance depends on more than just replacing equipment. Many fundamental decisions are architectural: solar orientation, openings, insulation, ventilation, shading, materiality, and context.

Before starting work, it is important to understand if the building envelope has thermal losses, if there are comfort issues, if technical systems are adequate, and if the planned intervention changes the legal framework under the SCE.

For properties intended for sale, lease, tourist accommodation, hospitality, or multi-family housing, this analysis can directly influence asset attractiveness and market perception of value.

Frequently asked questions about ADENE fees and energy certificates

Are ADENE fees the total price of the energy certificate?

No. ADENE fees correspond to the registration value of the energy certificate in the SCE Portal. The final price also includes Qualified Expert fees and applicable VAT.

Who sets the value of ADENE fees?

Registration values are defined in the legal framework of the Building Energy Certification System. Ordinance No. 138-H/2021 sets the registration values and respective update mechanisms.

Does the value change depending on the property?

Yes. For residential buildings, the value varies by typology. For commercial and service buildings, it varies by useful floor area.

Do I need an energy certificate to sell a property?

Generally, yes, unless covered by exceptions in applicable legislation. The official SCE FAQ states that a building sale cannot be completed without an energy certificate if the property is not exempt.

Must the energy class appear in real estate advertisements?

Yes, the energy class must be indicated in sale or rental ads unless the building is exempt from energy certification requirements.

Does the energy certificate help in rehabilitation?

Yes. The certificate can identify improvement measures, support investment decisions, and serve as a starting point for a comfort and efficiency strategy. However, it should be cross-referenced with architectural and structural assessments.

Does energy certification replace an architectural project?

No. Energy certification evaluates building energy performance. An architectural project integrates this into a broader solution, considering program, context, construction, use, comfort, materiality, and architectural value.

Do you need an energy certificate or are you planning a rehabilitation?

If you intend to sell, lease, buy, or rehabilitate a property, energy certification must be analyzed rigorously. Beyond meeting a documentary requirement, it can help identify building weaknesses and guide design decisions.

MJARC can assist in technical analysis, the coordination between energy certification and architectural design, and the definition of solutions to improve comfort, performance, and patrimonial value.

Contact us to evaluate your property’s framework before proceeding with a sale, lease, purchase, or rehabilitation.

Official sources consulted

Note:
The information presented in this article is for informational purposes only and does not waive the need to consult current legislation, nor does it replace reading the applicable legal diplomas or seeking advice from duly qualified professionals. Contact MJARC Architects for advice from qualified experts.