Certification fees
The certification fees cover the cost of all work carried out by the DGNB throughout the entire certification process. In addition to our fee, costs arise for the DGNB Auditors, which may vary depending on the project and the services performed. The following chart uses an example project to explain how the certification costs are compiled.
Overview DGNB fees
In general, the certification fees include the handling of the entire certification process by the DGNB. These include a plausibility check (pre-certificate) and the first two rounds of the conformity check (certificate). If the auditor or client wants a further check of the documents, an extra fee of € 2,000 net will be charged by the DGNB for up to 10 criteria. For each additional criterion to be checked, € 500 net will be charged. The conformity check can only be carried out once all certification fees have been paid in advance.
In addition, the statutory sales tax is payable on all certification fees. The discount for DGNB members is granted if the client or the applicant of the project is a DGNB member or member of an international DGNB partner organization.
The fees are to be calculated according to the gross floor area (GFA). The GFA includes above ground and underground areas including all underground parking, technology and storage areas.
The registration for the pre-certificate and the certificate takes place together. After signing the certification agreement, 20% of the fees will be charged. Upon submission of the documents for the pre-certificate, a further 20% will be charged, the remaining fees will be invoiced regardless of the application for a pre-certificate on submission of the documents for the certificate.
Further information on the fee schedule can be found in the FAQ (in German)
If your project has already been pre-certified with an earlier market version or if you have general questions about an earlier version, we are happy to help you at system@dgnb.de.
Fee overview
New Construction and Renovation
- New Construction and Renovation Offices
- New Construction and Renovation Educational Buildings
- New Construction and Renovation Consumer Markets
- New Construction and Renovation Shopping Centres
- New Construction and Renovation Business Premises
- New Construction and Renovation Hotel Buildings
- New Construction and Renovation Residential Buildings
- Mixed use
- New Construction Healthcare Buildings
- New Construction Assembly Buildings
- New Construction Laboratory Buildings
- New Construction Sports Halls
| DGNB members | Non-members | ||
| Pre-Certificate and Certificate | Project size (GFA in m²) | ||
| up to 1.2501 | 3.200 € | 4.900 € | |
| > 1.250 - 2.500 | 4.450 € | 7.600 € | |
| > 2.500 - 5.000 | 6.150 € | 9.400 € | |
| > 5.000 - 7.500 | 7.800 € | 11.300 € | |
| > 7.500 - 10.000 | 9.350 € | 13.200 € | |
| > 10.000 - 12.500 | 10.900 € | 15.100 € | |
| > 12.500 - 15.000 |
12.450 € | 17.000 € | |
| > 15.000 - 17.500 | 14.000 € | 18.900 € | |
| > 17.500 - 20.000 |
15.500 € | 20.800 € | |
| > 20.000 - 25.000 |
18.150 € | 24.150 € | |
| > 25.000 - 30.000 | 20.750 € |
27.500 € | |
| > 30.000 - 40.000 | 26.000 € | 33.600 € | |
| > 40.000 - 50.000 | 31.250 € | 39.700 € | |
| > 50.000 - 60.000 | 36.500 € | 45.800 € | |
| > 60.000 - 70.000 | 41.750 € | 51.900 € | |
| > 70.000 - 80.000 | 47.000 € | 58.000 € | |
| > 80.000 - 90.000 | 52.250 € | 64.100 € | |
| > 90.000 - 100.000 | 57.250 € | 70.100 € | |
| > 100.000 - 110.000 | 62.000 € | 76.000 € | |
| > 110.000 - 120.000 | 66.750 € | 81.800 € | |
| > 120.000 - 130.0004 |
71.500 € | 87.500 € |
All listed fees are subject to the statutory rate of VAT. The membership discount is applied if the building owner or the applicant is a DGNB member or member of an international partner organisation of the DGNB.
The fees are to be calculated based on the gross floor area, GFA, as defined by DIN standard 277-1:2016-01. The GFA thereby includes the GFA aboveground and underground, including all areas designated for underground parking, technical installations and storage.
* For buildings with a gross floor area, GFA, > 130,000 m² we will gladly make you an offer. Please contact us via tel. +49 (0)711 / 722 322 0 or via email at zertifizierung@dgnb.de
- New Construction and Renovation Logistics Buildings
- New Construction and Renovation Production Buildings
- New Construction Car Parks
| DGNB members | Non-members | ||
| Pre-Certificate and Certificate | Project size (GFA in m²) | ||
| up to 2.500 | 4.450 € | 7.600 € | |
| > 2.500 - 5.000 | 5.850 € | 9.150 € | |
| > 5.000 - 7.500 | 7.200 € | 10.700 € | |
| > 7.500 - 10.000 | 8.500 € | 12.150 € | |
| > 10.000 - 12.500 | 9.700 € | 13.600 € | |
| > 12.500 - 15.000 |
10.850 € | 15.050 € | |
| > 15.000 - 17.500 | 11.950 € | 16.500 € | |
| > 17.500 - 20.000 |
13.000 € | 17.900 € | |
| > 20.000 - 25.000 |
14.500 € | 19.700 € | |
| > 25.000 - 30.000 | 15.900 € | 21.300 € | |
| > 30.000 - 40.000 | 18.400 € | 24.000 € | |
| > 40.000 - 50.000 | 20.750 € | 26.700 € | |
| > 50.000 - 60.000 | 22.850 € | 29.300 € | |
| > 60.000 - 70.000 | 24.900 € | 31.900 € | |
| > 70.000 - 80.000 | 26.950 € | 34.500 € | |
| > 80.000 - 90.000 | 29.000 € | 37.100 € | |
| > 90.000 - 100.000 | 31.000 € | 39.700 € | |
| > 100.000 - 110.000 | 33.000 € | 42.200 € | |
| > 110.000 - 120.000 | 35.000 € | 44.700 € | |
| > 120.000 - 130.0002 |
37.000 € | 47.200 € |
All listed fees are subject to the statutory rate of VAT. The membership discount is applied if the building owner or the applicant is a DGNB member or member of an international partner organisation of the DGNB.
The fees are to be calculated based on the gross floor area, GFA, as defined by DIN standard 277-1:2016-01. The GFA thereby includes the GFA aboveground and underground, including all areas designated for underground parking, technical installations and storage.
* For buildings with a gross floor area, GFA, > 130,000 m² we will gladly make you an offer. Please contact us via tel. +49 (0)711 / 722 322 0 or via email at zertifizierung@dgnb.de
| DGNB members | Non-members | |||
| Number of full floors (excluding basement) |
≤ 2 | > 2 | ≤ 2 | > 2 |
|
Pre-Certificate and Certificate |
950 € |
1.450 € | 1.450 € |
1.950 € |
All fees are subject to the statutory rate of VAT. The membership discount is applied if the building owner or the applicant is a DGNB member or member of an international partner organisation of the DGNB.
Fee overview as PDF (including fees for the Volume Certification)
The certification fees are eligible for the KfW Program 431 Energy Efficient Construction and Renovation – Subsidy Building Support.
Interiors
- Interiors
| DGNB members | Non-members | ||
| Certificate | Project size/area to be certified in m² | ||
| up to 2.500 | 2.000 € | 3.000 € | |
| > 2.500 - 5.000 | 3.000 € | 4.500 € | |
| > 5.000 - 10.000 | 4.000 € | 6.000 € | |
| > 10.000 - 20.000 |
6.000 € | 8.000 € | |
| > 20.000 - 30.000 | 8.000 € | 10.000 € | |
| > 30.000 - 40.000 |
10.000 € | 12.500 € | |
| > 40.000 - 50.000 * | 12.000 € | 15.000 € |
All fees are subject to the statutory rate of VAT. The membership discount is applied if the client or applicant is a DGNB member or member of an international partner organisation of the DGNB.
The fees are to be calculated on the basis of the area to be certified. Evidence must be produced for this purpose.
* for interiors with an area to be certified > 50,000 m2 we gladly prepare a proposal. Please contact us via tel. +49 (0)711 / 722 322 0 or via email at zertifizierung@dgnb.de
Buildings in Use and Existing Buildings
- Buildings In Use and „Climate Positive" award
| Registration fees | ||
| DGNB member |
Non-member | |
| 1st certification |
1.000 € |
2.500 € |
| Recertification | - | - |
The total fee consists of registration and certification fees. The certificate is valid for three years from date of issue. A recertification is possible annually by submitting the consumption data. Every three years, all relevant criteria must be submitted. The fee for recertification annually is indicated in the table of certification fees. If a building is recertificated after one year, the DGNB will charge the single, after two years the double and in the third year the triple fee. For an annual update, the Climate Positive award is free.
| Certification fees | |||
| Project size (GFA in m²) |
DGNB member | Non-member | |
| < 500 | 1st certification | - | - |
| Recertification per year | 175 € | 175 € | |
| 500 - 5.000 | 1st certification | 1.500 € | 1.500 € |
| Recertification per year | 375 € | 375 € | |
| 5.000 - 20.000 | 1st certification | 2.500 € | 3.000 € |
| Recertification per year | 625 € | 750 € | |
| 20.000 - 50.000 | 1st certification | 4.000 € | 5.000 € |
| Recertification per year | 1.000 € | 1.250 € | |
| 50.000 - 100.000 | 1st certification | 7.500 € | 9.000 € |
| Recertification per year | 1.875 € |
2.250 € | |
| > 100.000 | 1st certification | price on request |
price on request |
| Recertification per year | price on request | price on request |
All costs listed exclude value-added tax. The discount for members applies if the project applicant is a DGNB member or member of an international Partner organization of the DGNB. The fees are to be calculated according to the gross floor area (GFA). The GFA includes above ground and underground areas including all underground parking, technology and storage areas.
A 20% discount on the certification fees is granted, if the project is the first DGNB Buildings In Use certification in the country.
Fee overview as PDF (including fees for portfolio certification)
- Existing Building, Offices
| Market version | ||
| DGNB members | Non-members | |
| Pre-Certification (Valid 18 months) |
5.000 € |
6.000 € |
| Certification | ||
| with Pre-Certificate valid 3 years | 4.000 € |
5.000 € |
| without Pre-Certificate valid 3 years | 7.000 € |
9.000 € |
| Re-Certification for a further 3 years | ||
| without structural modifications | 3.000 € | 4.000 € |
| with structural modifications | 5.500 € | 7.500 € |
All fees are subject to the statutory rate of VAT. The membership discount is applied if the building owner or the applicant is a DGNB member or member of an international partner organisation of the DGNB.
Districts
In general, the certification fees cover the entire certification process carried out by the DGNB, including the first two rounds of conformity assessments for the respective (pre-)certificate. If the auditor or building owner/principal insists on further documentation reviews, the DGNB will charge an additional fee of € 2,000 for up to 10 critera. For each additional criterion, the DGNB will charge an additional fee € 500. The conformity assessment will be conducted once all certification fees have been paid.
| Certification fees | |||
| Project size (Gross development area in hectar) |
DGNB Members | DGNB Non-Members | |
| ≤ 10 | Pre-certificate, development certificate or certificate* (for each certificate) |
9.800 € | 12.800 € |
| Package price discount** | - 20 % | - 20 % | |
| > 10 - 30 | Pre-certificate, development certificate or certificate* (for each certificate) |
14.600 € | 17.600 € |
| Package price discount** | - 20 % | - 20 % | |
| > 30 - 100 | Pre-certificate, development certificate or certificate* (for each certificate) |
19.500 € | 22.500 € |
| Package price discount** | - 20 % | - 20 % | |
| > 100 - 200*** | Pre-certificate, development certificate or certificate* (for each certificate) |
25.500 € | 28.500 € |
| Package price discount** | - 20 % |
- 20 % |
All of the costs listed exclude value-added tax. The discount for members applies if the applicant is a DGNB member or member of an international partner organization of the DGNB.
The fees are calculated based on gross development area (GDA) in hectar (ha).
* A double fee will be charged if there is no pre-certificate or development certificate carried out at certificate application.
** The package price applies to the simultaneous registration of several phases (pre-certificate, development certificate, certificate).
*** For projects > 200 ha please contact us by phone +49 (0)711 / 722 322 0 or e-mail zertifizierung@dgnb.de for an individual offer.
Certification of sub-sections
For large projects it is possible to pre-certify the overall project, while the phases of construction are certified individually. The fees for the first phase of construction are based on the size of the overall project. For each additional phase of construction, an additional 30% of the regular fees for the entire project are charged.
Re-Certification (Industrial Sites)
The certification for Industrial Sites is limited to 5 years. If there are no structural changes, the recertification fee will be 40 % of the regular certification fees. If there are structural changes, the recertification fee will be 60 % of the regular certification fees.
International Projects
There is a 20% discount on certification fees for projects not based in Germany.
Vertical Cities
The calculation of certification fees for the usage profile Vertical Cities are based on the fees for "New Buildings". Therefore, the fee for each regular building must be determined and summed up.
Information about auditing fees
Auditing fees are not included in the certification fees mentioned above. The cost of auditing services varies greatly from one project to another. Please negotiate these fees with your auditor, who will inform you of any extra costs, such as for special planning services, etc.
Volume Certification
Mehrfachzertifizierung
Die Kosten für das Basiszertifikat einer Mehrfachzertifizierung sind fest und betragen 20.000 € für DGNB Mitglieder und 30.000 € für Nicht-Mitglieder. Für Folgeprojekte werden die Kosten projektspezifisch definiert, da diese von der Anzahl der noch nachzuweisenden variablen DGNB Kriterien abhängen.
Für die Mehrfachzertifizierung von Projekten nach dem Nutzungsprofil Innenräume Version 2018 gelten die folgenden Gebühren.
Ensemblezertifizierung
Die Kosten für das 1. Gebäude (Grundmodul) eines Ensembles (Vorzertifikat und Zertifikat) sind wie bei der Standard-Zertifizierung abhängig vom Nutzungsprofil, der Bruttogrundfläche sowie der Art der DGNB Mitgliedschaft. Internationale Pilot-Projekte erhalten einen Rabatt in Höhe von 20% der Standard-Zertifizierungsgebühren.
Für alle weiteren Gebäude desselben Ensembles wird ein Rabatt in Höhe von 50% der Standard-Zertifizierungsgebühren gewährt.
Serienzertifizierung
Die Kosten setzen sich aus den Zertifizierungsgebühren und den Honorarkosten für die Auditorenleistung zusammen. Die Zertifizierungsgebühren sind abhängig von der Anzahl der Einzelzertifizierungen/Jahr und der Art der DGNB Mitgliedschaft.
Für ein individuelles Angebot können Sie uns gerne telefonisch unter +49 (0)711 / 722 322 0 oder per Mail kontaktieren.
Assessing the design quality and Baukultur
| DGNB design advice1) | DGNB projects | Other projects |
| DGNB members | no charge2) | 2.400 € |
| Non-members | 2.400 € |
3.600 € |
| DGNB Diamond | DGNB projects3) | Other projects |
| DGNB members | 5.600 € |
n/a |
| Non-members | 8.000 € | n/a |
All fees are subject to the statutory rate of VAT. The membership discount is applied if the owner of the property or the applicant is a DGNB member or member of an international partner organisation of the DGNB.
1) Requests for a design advice can be made for all projects, whether they are certified or not. DGNB projects = projects registered for DGNB certification, irrespective of the desired award level.
2) For the first presentation of the project. In case of Volume Certifications, the proposal is applicable only to the Initial Certificate.
3) Possible only for projects with DGNB Sustainability Certificate Gold or Platinum.
Note regarding auditor services
Auditor fees are not included in the certification fees listed above. The fees for auditor services strongly depend on the project in question. Please discuss the fees directly with your auditor. He/She will also inform you about any additional costs such as further planning services required from specialist planners.
