Air conditioners: Regulations in European countries

Thursday, Jul 2, 2026

Il Sole 24 Ore

European air conditioning adoption faces hurdles: old buildings, regulations, and climate change clash across nations.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Heatwaves are increasing the need for air conditioning across Europe, but its widespread adoption is hindered by urban planning regulations, historical heritage protection, condominium rules, and a shortage of installers. While some countries like Czechia are seeing rapid uptake due to rising temperatures and remote work, others face significant hurdles. Austria requires approval from landlords or neighbors for external unit installation, while Italy balances the need for cooling with protecting its historic landscapes, exemplified by Portofino’s strict regulations. In Lithuania, bureaucratic obstacles and a lack of certified technicians delay installations. France is experiencing an increase in fraudulent online offers due to high demand. Overall, European cities face the paradox of needing modern cooling solutions within structures designed for a past climate, complicated by varying national challenges ranging from regulatory constraints to heritage preservation.

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