ABSTRACT: Zero-energy performance buildings have gained significant attention since the publication in 2010 of the recast of the EPBD recast which requires all new buildings to become nearly zero-energy by 2020. Buildings are requested to meet higher levels of energy performance and to explore more the alternative energy supply systems available locally on a cost-efficiency basis. Since the directive does not specify minimum or maximum harmonized requirements as well as details of energy performance calculation framework, it is up to the member states to define the exact meaning of “high energy performance” and “amount of energy from renewable sources” according to their own local conditions and strategic interests. Nearly zero-energy building (nZEB) performance derives from net zero-energy concept (Net ZEB) which in case of buildings is usually defined as a high energy performance building that over a year is energy neutral. The successful implementation of such an ambitious target, however, needs to be planned out diligently. The critical steps are a) a correct picture about the existing state and trends, b) clear definitions and targets, c) dynamic building codes and energy efficient technologies and d) rules for testing and verification. The nZEBs or NetZEBs built in the near future therefore may play a critical role in implementing any ambitious plan as its success on long-term relies on setting best practice examples, in addition of the supporting policies and initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to review existing definitions, terms and policies on strategic planning of nZEBs at national and international level. 1 INTRODUCTION Zero-energy performance buildings have gained more attention since the publication in 2010 of the EPBD recast (EPBD, 2010). EPBD recast requests all new buildings to meet higher levels of performance than before, by exploring more the alternative energy supply systems available locally on a cost-efficiency basis and without prejudicing the comfort. To this end, beginning in 2020, all new buildings should become “nearly zero-energy”. A “nearly zero-energy building” refers to a high energy performance building of which annual primary energy consumption is covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources, including energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby. The directive requires nearly zero energy build- ings, but it does not give minimum or maximum harmonized requirements as well as details of energy performance calculation framework. In such case, it is up to the Member States to define the exact meaning of energy performance requirements and percentage of energy from renewa- ble sources according to local and regional climate and economic conditions. Recent studies on implementation on EPBD 2002 (Seppänen & Goeders 2010, Kurntsky et al. 2011) have shown a large variation in the building regulations of the different countries, a fact which has a signifi- cant impact on the building industry. Regarding existing concepts for nearly zero energy build- ings, another study performed across 17 countries has revealed as much as 75 definition ap- proaches and a single country with a definition included in national legislation (Hermelink et al. 2013). In the light of this, the need of a common approach on the concept for net and nearly ze- ro energy is requested by the strategic importance of the building industry and by the need of MS to adapt their national plans in time in order to guarantee the implementation of the EPBD The nZEBs in the near Future Overview of definitions and guidelines towards existing plans for increasing nZEBs Laura Aelenei Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia, Lisboa, Portugal Helder Gonçalves Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia, Lisboa, Portugal Daniel Aelenei Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciência e Tecnologia, Caparica, Portugal