During green space certification, the green space can be rated in one of five categories.
| Certification category | Score | Sufficient for the occupancy permit or technical handover? |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent “A” | >400 | yes |
| Good “B” | 301–400 | yes |
| Adequate “C” | 201–300 | yes |
| To be improved “D” | 101–200 | no |
| Inadequate “E” | <100 | no |
What is the minimum level required for certification?
A Green Space Certificate with at least a medium rating, i.e. Adequate “C”, is required for the occupancy permit of the building on the plot or, in the case of a landscape architecture work, for its technical handover.
When must the existence of the Green Space Certificate be checked?
The existence of the Green Space Certificate is checked during the occupancy permit procedure; it must achieve at least a medium rating for the occupancy permit to be issued.
What are the mandatory criteria without which the plot cannot receive a medium rating?
For the completed certificate to receive at least a medium rating, it must comply with the
– all of the above must be met.
If the investment is subject to the green space certification obligation (see: Who is obliged to have the certificate prepared?) and the certification is not carried out on the plot or plots concerned, or a certificate with at least a medium rating cannot be issued based on the condition and quality of the green spaces, the investment cannot obtain an occupancy permit, and the technical handover of the landscape architecture work cannot take place.
The Green Space Certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of issue, provided that neither the building nor its surroundings are rebuilt. If a building is converted or a new one is built on the plot, this always involves changes to the surroundings as well, so a new Green Space Certificate must be prepared.
During the period of validity, the owner must keep the Green Space Certificate and, in the event of a change of ownership, hand it over to the new owner.
If no conversion takes place on the plot, it is not mandatory to prepare a new certificate after the 5-year validity has expired, until a building is converted or a new one is built on the plot.
Legal background: Green space certification is regulated by Government Decree 282/2024. (IX. 30.) on urban green infrastructure, the Green Space Certificate and the green trademark. The decree is available at this link.
