Heating oil is not banned at federal level in Switzerland. But when your boiler fails, it is not Bern that decides what you may reinstall: it is your canton. And the differences are large — from "no requirement" to "renewable only". Here is the rule in force on 15 October 2026, canton by canton, with its official source.
No federal ban: it all comes down to cantonal law
At federal level, nothing bans heating oil in 2026. Replacements are governed by cantonal energy laws, based on the cantons' joint model (the MoPEC). Most still follow the 2014 model: when a boiler is replaced in a dwelling, at least 10% renewable energy or a standard solution (heat pump, insulation, solar thermal…). Several cantons have gone further, and the new version of the model, the MoPEC 2025, makes 100% renewable the rule.
The rule, canton by canton
When an oil or gas boiler is replaced in an existing building (as of 15 October 2026):
| Canton | Rule in force |
|---|---|
| Aargau | Replacement must be reported; at least 10% renewable; fossil only if the alternative is not economical. Since 1.4.2025 · ag.ch |
| Appenzell Outer-Rhodes | At least 20% renewable (dwellings). Since 2023 · ar.clex.ch |
| Basel-Landschaft | Renewable system required when the boiler, or the burner of a system over 15 years old, is replaced, if technically possible and economical over its lifetime; otherwise an exemption. Since 1.1.2026 · bl.clex.ch |
| Basel-Stadt | Renewable where technically possible and at no extra cost; otherwise efficiency measures; gas network closed in stages by 2037. Since 2017 · gesetzessammlung.bs.ch |
| Bern | Replacement must be reported; buildings over 20 years old: standard solution, CECB class D, Minergie or 50% Swiss renewable gas. Since 1.1.2023 · belex |
| Fribourg | At least 20% renewable, for all buildings; revision for the MoPEC 2025 planned around 2028. Since 1.1.2020 · bdlf.fr.ch |
| Geneva | Renewable "as a priority and as far as possible"; fossil only with a permit, a low-temperature condensing boiler and CECB class D or equivalent; upheld by the Federal Supreme Court on 12.2.2024. Since 1.9.2022 · silgeneve.ch |
| Glarus | Heat generator without fossil fuel or connection to a heat network, if technically possible; replacement requires a permit. Since 1.1.2023 · gesetze.gl.ch |
| Grisons | At least 10% saved or renewable, through a standard solution. Since 1.1.2021 · gr-lex.gr.ch |
| Jura | Permit; Minergie, CECB class D, standard solution or, since 1.4.2026, renewable fuel produced in Jura (at least 20%). Since 1.4.2019 · rsju.jura.ch |
| Lucerne | At least 10% renewable; replacement must be reported; fossil phase-out bill in preparation. Since 1.1.2019 · srl.lu.ch |
| Neuchâtel | At least 20% renewable (100% if possible at no extra cost); electric resistance heating banned from 1.1.2030. Since 1.5.2021 · rsn.ne.ch |
| St. Gallen | Permit if one condition is met: CECB class D, Minergie, 20% renewable fuel for 20 years, standard solution, or a residential part of at most 150 m². Since 1.7.2021 · gesetzessammlung.sg.ch |
| Schaffhausen | At least 40% renewable or saved for energy-intensive buildings; met with a building envelope rated CECB class A to D. Since 1.1.2026 · rechtsbuch.sh.ch |
| Solothurn | No renewable share required; condensing boiler where possible (revised law rejected on 9.2.2025). Since 2011 · bgs.so.ch |
| Thurgau | 15% renewable for energy-intensive buildings; new law adopted on 2.9.2026, referendum period until 11.12.2026. Since 1.1.2025 · rechtsbuch.tg.ch |
| Ticino | At least 10% renewable (dwellings), including when the burner is replaced; amendment adopted on 15.9.2026, not yet in force. Since 1.1.2024 · lexfind.ch |
| Valais | Renewable to be preferred; otherwise the non-renewable share cut by at least 20%; exempt from CECB class D; switching back from renewable to fossil is banned. Since 1.1.2025 · lex.vs.ch |
| Vaud | Replacement by renewable only; oil and gas to be replaced by 2042 (installed before 2020) or 2047. From 1.1.2027 · vd.ch |
| Zug | At least 20% renewable, for all existing buildings. Since 1.2.2024 · bgs.zg.ch |
| Zurich | Renewable if technically possible and if lifetime costs rise by no more than 5%; otherwise at least 10% renewable. Since 1.9.2022 · zh.ch |
Appenzell Inner-Rhodes, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz and Uri are not covered in this table: check with the cantonal energy office. "Standard solutions" are combinations defined by each canton (heat pump, envelope insulation, solar thermal, connection to a heat network…).
Three groups of cantons
- Renewable only: Glarus since 2023, Basel-Landschaft since 2026, Vaud from 2027. Replacing an oil boiler with another one is only possible there as an exception.
- Minimum renewable share: most cantons, with 10% (Aargau, Grisons, Lucerne, Ticino, Zurich when a fully renewable solution is too costly), 20% (Appenzell Outer-Rhodes, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Zug) or even 40% (Schaffhausen). A fossil boiler remains possible if combined with a renewable or efficiency measure.
- No share required: Solothurn, after its new energy law was rejected in February 2025.
Several rows will change: Thurgau has adopted a new law, Ticino has amended its own, and Lucerne and Fribourg are preparing to adopt the MoPEC 2025.
What to do as the replacement approaches
Plan ahead of the breakdown
A boiler that fails in winter leaves little room. Planning ahead lets you choose the best renewable solution — and submit the subsidy application before the works.
Check the cantonal rule
Depending on your canton, a like-for-like replacement is free, tied to a renewable share, or only possible as an exception. The local rule determines your options.
Estimate the support
Switching to renewables is subsidised. Estimate your grants with the subsidy calculator before asking for quotes.
The Geneva and Vaud cases are covered in detail in our guides Geneva: IDC and renovation obligation and Vaud: new energy law.
Replacing a heating system is also a good moment to look further ahead: if you are considering an extension or an added storey in the future, the sizing of the new system depends on it. Knowing what your plot allows avoids installing equipment today that your plans will make unsuitable tomorrow.