Green Key Criteria
from October 2026
This page will guide you through the key documents and help you understand:
Whether your establishment is eligible for Green Key certification
Which category your establishment belongs to
Which criteria apply to your establishment
How the certification requirements increase over time
Criteria development and revision
Green Key’s criteria are developed by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), as the Green Key scheme owner, in consultation with relevant experts and stakeholders. The Green Key Criteria 2026–2031 were developed through an extensive revision process lasting approximately 16 months, from December 2024 to April 2026. The process included six thematic working parties and around 60 working-party meetings, as well as consultation with the Green Key National Operators and wider FEE network. In addition, approximately 70 external organisations representing more than 100 experts were consulted, including hotel groups and individual hotels, product and technical solution providers, NGOs and research institutions, auditors and sustainability advisors, and public authorities and destination organisations.
The revised criteria were formally published in April 2026, following approval by the relevant Green Key governance bodies.
STEP 1: Identify your establishment category
Green Key criteria have been developed for the following six categories:
To determine which category your establishment should apply under, you should first review the definition of the Green Key establishment categories.
These definitions explain the type of operations, services, and facilities that fall under each category.
In most cases, an establishment will apply under one main category, which reflects their primary activity and core service offer. However, some establishments may also operate services that fall under additional Green Key categories, for example, a conference centre with an internally managed restaurant. In such cases, the establishment will apply under the main category, while additional criteria from other relevant categories apply.
Download the definition of establishments eligible in each category here: Category Definitions
STEP 2: Review the Green Key Criteria
The Green Key criteria and their explanatory notes for the period 1 October 2026 – 31 December 2031 have been developed for the six Green Key categories and cover the following 7 criteria areas:
The criteria describe what your establishment must do in order to receive Green Key certification. The explanatory notes provide additional guidance on how each criterion should be interpreted.
You can download PDF files for the criteria and explanatory notes below.
Criteria and explanatory notes 2026-2031 for the different categories
STEP 3: Use the Green Key criteria support documents
In addition to the criteria catalogue, and the Green Key toolbox (available for applicant/participating establishments), two additional documents will help you understand how the criteria apply to your establishment.
This Scope of Certification document explains which services and facilities are included in the certification. Download the document here.
The Glossary document provides definitions of key terms and concepts used in the Green Key criteria, helping you interpret the requirements correctly. Download the document here.
STEP 4: Understand conformity with imperative and guideline criteria
The Green Key criteria catalogue consists of imperative and guideline criteria. An applicant establishment must conform will all imperative criteria and an increasing number of guideline criteria during the years of re-certification:
The certification is valid for two years, after which establishments must apply for re-certification.
Transition from the Green Key Criteria 2022–2026 to the Green Key Criteria 2026–2031
The new Green Key Criteria 2026–2031 take effect on 1 October 2026. A transition period applies to establishments already participating in the Green Key programme to support the change from the previous to the new criteria. The transition period continues until all re-applicant establishments have been certified according to the new criteria, but no later than 31 December 2027.
New applicants
From 1 October 2026, all new applicants must apply for certification according to the Green Key Criteria 2026–2031.
Re-applicants (Re-certification)
Establishments that are already Green Key certified continue to follow the Green Key Criteria 2022–2026 until they apply for re-certification under the new criteria.
When applying for re-certification under the Green Key Criteria 2026–2031, establishments must conform with all applicable imperative criteria and the required percentage of guideline criteria.
Under the new criteria, certification is valid for two years and the required percentage of guideline criteria increases with each certification period (see STEP 4 on this page)
To help you navigate the changes between the criteria, a comparison of the old and new criteria can be downloaded here.
Transition of guideline criteria requirements
The establishments already certified under the Green Key Criteria 2022–2026, the guideline criteria requirement during the transition is determined based on the percentage that the establishment would have been required to achieve under the previous system according to its year of certification.
Instead, when transitioning to the Green Key Criteria 2026–2031, the establishment must achieve the next lower percentage available under the new system.
For example, an establishment entering its 4th certification year would have been required to fulfil 15% of the guideline criteria under the previous system. During the transition period, however, the establishment will only be required to fulfil at least 10% of the guideline criteria. Similarly, an establishment entering its 5th certification year would have been required to fulfil 20% of the guideline criteria under the previous system. During the transition period, it will only be required to fulfil at least 10% of the guideline criteria.
Where an establishment cannot achieve the required percentage of guideline criteria during the transition, it may apply for a dispensation for one certification period. The establishment must demonstrate that it has made all reasonable efforts to achieve the required percentage. Any dispensation must be confirmed by the Certification Body.
Evidence requirements during the transition period
During the defined transition period, re-applicant establishments are required to provide a minimum of six months of data for requirements that would normally require evidence covering the last two full calendar years.
After the transition period has ended, re-applicants must provide evidence covering the last two full calendar years, where required, and all establishments will be certified according to the Green Key Criteria 2026–2031.
For information about the transition procedure and applicable timelines in a specific country, please contact your Green Key National Operator.
Need help? Green Key contact
In case of any questions regarding the Green Key criteria, certification process or eligibility of your establishment, please contact Green Key International or a Green Key National Operator for more information.