Policy support drives 11% growth in heat pump uptake across Europe in 2025

Heat pump sales rise across most European markets

 

Preliminary figures from the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) ^[1] show that heat pump sales grew by 11% in 2025 across 16 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK). Around 2.63 million residential heat pumps were sold during the year, up from 2.38 million in 2024, bringing the total number installed in Europe to around 28 million units.

 

Figure 1. Annual heat pump sales (in millions of units) in 16 European countries ^[1].

 

The increase was widespread: 12 of the 16 countries analysed recorded higher sales than the previous year. According to the association, government policies have played a central role in sustaining the market. In several countries, stable subsidy schemes and adjustments to energy taxation have improved the competitiveness of heat pumps compared with fossil-fuel boilers.

 

Examples include Belgium, where new restrictions on fossil-fuel heating combined with reduced VAT for heat pumps in new buildings helped raise sales by 7% to around 111,000 units. In the United Kingdom, continued policy support, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Warm Homes Plan, contributed to a 27% increase, bringing sales to about 125,000 units (see our dedicated news). In Germany, heat pumps accounted for nearly half of all heating systems sold, reflecting growing consumer confidence and the technology’s role in improving energy security.

 

Policy stability is key to further market expansion

 

Despite overall growth, the heat pump market remains uneven across Europe. In terms of installations per household, the leading markets are Norway, Finland and Sweden, each with more than 30 heat pumps sold per 1,000 households.

 

By contrast, markets such as Poland and the United Kingdom still record fewer than five units per 1,000 households, indicating substantial potential for further growth.

 

Figure 2. Heat pump sales per 1,000 households in 2025 ^[1].

 

Paul Kenny, director general of EHPA, commented that stable and consistent policies will be essential to sustain this generally increasing sales trend. Measures such as reducing taxes on electricity, maintaining long-term incentives and encouraging electrification of heating could help accelerate the transition away from fossil-fuel boilers while strengthening Europe’s domestic heat pump manufacturing sector.

 

For further information, visit the European Heat Pump Association webpage.

 

 

Source

[1] European Heat Pump Association. Heat pump sales testify to government action. 2 March 2026. https://ehpa.org/news-and-resources/press-releases/heat-pump-sales-testify-to-government-action/

Images credits: European Heat Pump Association