Guide: 2026 electrical installations — what to know

2026 brings new electrical installation rules: increased minimum wire sections, mandatory 30 mA RCDs on every socket circuit, and PRAM testing at completion for any job with more than 5 new circuits.

For a typical 80 m² apartment, redoing the installation costs 4,500–7,500 EUR (labour + materials). The variance comes from brand choice (Schneider/Legrand vs local), number of sockets, and whether smart-home is included.

Recommendation: do not skimp on the panel or the cables. The difference between a good and mediocre panel is about €200 — but home safety for the next 30 years depends on it.