The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is the mandatory framework for the EU member states to develop clear target paths to reduce their building related greenhouse gas emissions: By 16% until 2030 and by 26% until 2033 (1990 = 100%). Finally, in 2050 all buildings should be zero-emission buildings (§3, 2b). Focusing on residential buildings in Germany, this paper shows the possible paths to reach the goals with respect to the revitalisation rates and the improvements of energy efficiency per revitalisation measure to reach zero-emissions of CO2 and greenhouse gases until 2045 (individual German target). For all existing residential buildings in Germany, the potential developments of renovation progress and building energy demands are examined. This is done by a self-written Python program which considers different revitalisation rates as well as revitalization depth. Best-case (5% revitalisation rate) and worst-case (0.7% revitalisation rate) scenarios show the gap between demands and potential paths of energy consumption. Target orientated paths show the needed effort to reach the targets for 2045. Finally, the question of sourcing renewable energy for the heating of Germany’s buildings is addressed as the energy transition is running in parallel. Building renovation is consequently accompanied by a transition to green electrical energy sources. The research aim is to show the constrains for the path to zero-emission build-ings using the example of residential buildings and show the impact of potential improvement measures on the future energy demand.