FM newsroom – CRE, sustainability. From February 2026, a new chapter begins for the commercial property market. The launch of the BREEAM Version 7 certification system is set to reshape how newly built commercial properties are assessed in Hungary — and who thrives in the process. Sustainability is no longer a marketing badge. It has become a decisive factor in asset value, rental income and access to finance.
The Green Premium Is Real
Buildings with recognised green certification are already commanding higher rents, stronger liquidity and lower financing costs. Meanwhile, outdated, non-certified properties could lose between 15 and 30 per cent of their value.
As Zsombor Barta, founding partner of Greenbors Consulting, points out, the message for developers and owners is clear: without BREEAM V7 certification, significant financial advantages may slip away.
According to Economx, certified buildings are benefiting from what industry insiders call the “green premium” — higher rental fees driven by rising tenant demand for properties that meet ESG criteria. Banks are also favouring these assets, often offering cheaper loans or improved access to credit thanks to their stronger long-term risk profile.
Aligned With Europe’s Green Agenda
The new V7 standard replaces the previous V6 version and brings the scheme in line with the European Union Taxonomy framework. In practice, this makes it easier for projects to qualify for green financing and improves their standing with lenders.
Stricter energy efficiency requirements could also deliver operating cost savings of between 30 and 50 per cent, offering further incentive for developers to upgrade.
Projects already registered under V6 will not be forced to restart the process; they have five years to complete certification under the previous framework.
From Energy Use to Full Carbon Footprint
Perhaps the most significant shift lies in the scope of assessment. While V6 focused largely on operational energy consumption, V7 evaluates the building’s entire lifecycle carbon footprint.
That includes not only energy usage, but also the carbon impact of construction materials and how the building will be managed at the end of its life. The broader approach mirrors the evolving risk models used by investors and financial institutions, while also aligning with the EU’s updated building energy performance directive.
A Market Divided
With the introduction of the new standard, the property market is effectively splitting in two: future-proof, sustainable assets on one side, and rapidly depreciating “brown” properties on the other.
For developers and owners, the question is no longer whether certification is necessary — but whether they can afford to fall behind.