Compare Passivhaus-certified prefab homes from verified European manufacturers — near-zero energy buildings with heating costs under €300/year.
The Passivhaus standard — originally developed at the Passivhaus Institut in Darmstadt, Germany — sets strict limits on heating demand (≤15 kWh/m²/yr), primary energy demand (≤120 kWh/m²/yr), and air-tightness (n50 ≤ 0.6 ACH). Meeting these standards is far easier in a factory than on a traditional construction site — which is why prefab manufacturers dominate the Passivhaus certified new-build market in Europe. A certified Passivhaus home typically costs 5–15% more than a standard new build but delivers heating bills under €300/year and eliminates damp and air quality problems.
Not all manufacturers advertising 'passive house performance' are formally certified — there is an important distinction between PHI-certified (Passivhaus Institut certified) and 'built to Passivhaus standards' (self-declared). Certified homes are independently verified. Use the filter to show only manufacturers with verified Passivhaus certification.
Passivhaus (German for 'passive house') is a voluntary building energy standard developed by the Passivhaus Institut in Darmstadt. Key requirements: annual heating demand ≤15 kWh/m²/yr, total primary energy demand ≤120 kWh/m²/yr, and a blower-door air-tightness test result of n50 ≤ 0.6 ACH. A certified Passivhaus home stays comfortable year-round using only a small heat recovery ventilation system — no conventional heating system required in mild climates.
Typically 5–15% more than a standard new build of equivalent floor area, depending on the base specification. German and Austrian timber-frame manufacturers often include Passivhaus certification as standard in their higher-tier packages. The payback period on the extra upfront cost varies by climate — in Northern Europe (Sweden, Finland, Germany), heating savings typically pay back the premium in 10–15 years.
A certified Passivhaus home of 130 m² in Central Europe (Spain, France, Germany) should have annual heating costs of €150–€400 depending on energy prices and climate. This compares to €1,500–€3,000+ for a standard new build and €3,000–€6,000 for an older unrenovated house. The figure varies with local gas/electricity prices and the occupants' behaviour.
Yes — in most European countries, Passivhaus certification qualifies for enhanced energy efficiency grants. In Germany: KfW 40 NH (Nachhaltigkeitsstandard) grants up to €150,000. In France: bonus bâtiment durable under RE2020 enhanced targets. In Spain: IDAE energy efficiency subsidies. Check current grant programmes in your country before finalising your specification — grant conditions change frequently.
PHI introduced Plus and Premium tiers in 2015. Passivhaus Classic meets the original heating/energy/airtightness criteria. Passivhaus Plus adds renewable energy generation requirements (≥60 kWh/m²/yr). Passivhaus Premium requires ≥120 kWh/m²/yr of on-site renewable generation — effectively a net-zero or positive-energy building. Most prefab manufacturers offering Passivhaus aim for Classic certification; Plus and Premium require significant PV solar or other on-site generation.