This Week in Construction & Housing — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission approves Malta's Social Climate Plan; Belgium receives payments under NextGenerationEU; new CBAM corrections adopted; anti-dumping duty extended on ferro-silicon; EU housing initiative registered.
July 26, 2026 to August 01, 2026
Commission approves Malta's Social Climate Plan; Belgium receives payments under NextGenerationEU; new CBAM corrections adopted; anti-dumping duty extended on ferro-silicon; EU housing initiative registered.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission endorses Malta's €60 million Social Climate Plan for vulnerable households and micro-enterprises
On 28 July 2026, the European Commission endorsed Malta's Social Climate Plan, mobilising €60.6 million in support of vulnerable households and micro-enterprises until 2032. The plan allocates €45.4 million from the EU under the Social Climate Fund (2026–2032), targeting energy-efficiency upgrades for homes and apartments in public social housing, as well as installation of renewable energy systems such as heat pump water heaters and photovoltaic panels with battery storage. More than 30,000 vulnerable users will benefit from expanded community transport options, and micro-enterprises in transport sectors will gain improved access to affordable electric mobility and charging infrastructure. The programme aims to tackle energy poverty and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,500 tonnes CO₂ equivalent. Eight Member States have formally submitted Social Climate Plans, including Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Greece, Croatia, and Slovenia. Malta may request its first payment once implementation starts and results are achieved.
Commission disburses €1.86 billion to Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, and Slovenia under NextGenerationEU
On 30 July 2026, the Commission released €1.86 billion to Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, and Slovenia under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), tied to the fulfilment of milestones in national recovery plans. Belgium received €567 million for sustainable mobility, biodiversity, energy efficiency in housing, and social inclusion measures. Bulgaria received €896 million for anti-corruption and renewable energy systems in households; Denmark €359 million, completing its final payment for clean transport, housing energy efficiency, and sustainable agriculture; Slovenia €41 million for e-health, healthcare modernisation, and upgraded municipal buildings. Denmark is the first Member State to receive 100% of its RRF allocation, with all disbursements made before the end-2026 deadline.
Commission greenlights Belgium's fifth NextGenerationEU payment request for €225 million
The European Commission, on 26 July 2026, positively assessed Belgium's fifth payment request for €225 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The request covers reforms and investments in clean and digital transition, mobility, housing renovation, and vehicle tax reform in Wallonia. Measures include the deployment of low-emission buses, reforming vehicle circulation tax for various household categories and carbon-neutral vehicles, and energy efficiency renovation of housing. The Economic and Financial Committee has four weeks to deliver its opinion. Belgium has achieved 73% of allocated funds and fulfilled 67.6% of milestones and targets from its national recovery plan.
Commission launches consultation on amendments to regional State aid guidelines
On 27 July 2026, the European Commission initiated a public consultation on proposed amendments to the Guidelines on regional State aid, aiming to update criteria for regional development and cohesion support. The revisions reflect the latest socio-economic data for identifying eligible areas for regional aid between 2028 and 2034, with attention to EU eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, as noted in the Eastern regions communication. Current regional aid maps expire end of 2027; the amended guidelines are scheduled for adoption at end 2026. Stakeholders are invited to submit feedback by 30 September 2026.
Commission publishes new guidance for State aid enabling social support and investment
On 26 July 2026, the Commission released guidance on how EU State aid rules permit Member States to support social objectives and investments. The document consolidates instruments that enable public authorities to grant aid for public services—including social and affordable housing, energy efficiency for households, employment for disadvantaged workers, and SME financing—as part of the Clean Industrial Deal framework. The guidance clarifies the types of aid permissible under EU competition rules and will be updated in line with regulatory changes, such as future revisions to the General Block Exemption Regulation.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
CBAM corrections: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1740 amends default emission values
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1740 of 20 July 2026, published in the Official Journal on 31 July 2026 (CELEX: 32026R1740), corrects Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2621 regarding Annexes I and IV for the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The regulation updates production route indicators, clarifies default values for specific CN and TARIC codes—including white and grey clinker and hydraulic cement—and aligns reporting units. Corrections enter into effect retroactively from 1 January 2026 and harmonise with amendments made by Regulation (EU) 2025/2083.
Definitive anti-dumping duty imposed on ferro-silicon imports from Russia and China
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1794, dated 27 July 2026 and published 28 July 2026 (CELEX: 32026R1794), extends definitive anti-dumping duties on ferro-silicon imports from the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China following expiry review under Regulation (EU) 2016/1036. Duties range from 15.6% to 31.2% for China and 17.8% to 22.7% for Russia, covering CN codes 7202 21 00, 7202 29 10, and 7202 29 90. The review period found substantial spare capacity and likelihood of recurrence of dumping if measures were lifted. The regulation remains binding across all Member States.
Commission amends reporting obligations for integrated national energy and climate plans
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1807 of 24 July 2026 (CELEX: 32026R1807), published 27 July 2026, amends Regulation (EU) 2022/2299, updating templates and requirements for Member States’ integrated national energy and climate progress reports. Changes reflect new sectoral directives—including Directive (EU) 2023/1791 (energy efficiency), Directive (EU) 2024/1275 (buildings), and Directive (EU) 2024/1788 (gas markets)—and streamline energy subsidy reporting. Transitional provisions apply for reports due by 15 March 2027 covering years 2024 and 2025.
Commission registers European citizens’ initiative ‘Right to Housing! Now and Forever’
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1863 of 17 July 2026, published 27 July 2026 (CELEX: 32026D1863), registers the European citizens’ initiative ‘Right to Housing! Now and Forever’ under Regulation (EU) 2019/788. The initiative proposes measures including regulating short-term rentals, converting vacant buildings, creating incentives for renovation, reforming fiscal rules, establishing an EU housing fund, and setting affordability standards. The Commission determined that the proposal falls within its powers to submit legal acts for Treaties implementation. Registration does not constitute endorsement of the substance.
What We're Reading This Week
- Italy plots nuclear comeback four decades after Chernobyl: Italy moves to revive nuclear energy, signaling a major policy shift after decades of reliance on alternative power sources.
