Official Gazette publishes the “Home Renovation” Program: eligibility criteria and program conditions

The program constitutes a new initiative under the 2021–2027 ESPA framework, aimed at supporting low- and middle-income households in renovating and undertaking modest energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes. The initiative seeks both to improve the quality of the existing housing stock and to address housing challenges by bringing vacant properties back into use, either through long-term rental arrangements or owner-occupation. The program is financed through the Environment and Climate Change Programme and the Regional Operational Programmes of ESPA, with a total budget exceeding €479 million.

Eligible beneficiaries are natural persons who hold ownership or usufruct rights over qualifying residential properties and meet specific income criteria. The program distinguishes between two categories of dwellings. The first concerns “vacant homes”, namely properties that remain unused and are either disconnected from the electricity grid or have exhibited minimal electricity consumption in recent years. The second concerns “occupied homes”, which are already used as primary residences but require renovation and energy-efficiency improvements due to their age and condition.

The primary objective of the initiative is to increase the availability of suitable, high-quality housing, reduce housing costs, and enhance the energy performance of residential properties. Particular emphasis is placed on the utilization of inactive housing stock, enabling more properties to enter the long-term rental market as primary residences. At the same time, the program aims to improve living conditions for families residing in older and energy-inefficient buildings.

Eligibility is determined primarily on the basis of income criteria. Two income categories are established, each with different income thresholds depending on family status. For example, for a single individual, the maximum annual taxable income is €18,000 under the first category and €25,000 under the second. The thresholds are higher for married couples, families with children, and single-parent households. Furthermore, if an applicant’s income in 2025 exceeds the applicable limits, the average income of the previous three tax years will be considered, thereby providing greater flexibility for applicants.

The grant rate amounts to 80% for beneficiaries in the first income category and 70% for those in the second. Additional increases of 5 percentage points are available for properties located in mountainous or island regions, single-parent families, families with three or more children, and persons with disabilities or households that include a member with a disability. These increases may be combined, resulting in a maximum grant rate of 95% for the first income category and 85% for the second.

To qualify for the program, a dwelling must satisfy specific requirements. It must have legal status, must not be designated for demolition, and must possess a building permit or other legalization document issued no later than 31 December 1990. The property must not exceed 120 square metres in floor area and must be classified in Energy Performance Category C or lower, based on a valid Energy Performance Certificate. An exception to the maximum floor area requirement applies to families with three or more children, for whom the limit may reach 150 square metres.

Eligible expenditures include renovation, repair, and energy-efficiency improvement works, as well as the purchase of the necessary materials and equipment. The program requires energy-related interventions to represent at least 20% and no more than 40% of the total eligible budget and to result in an improvement of at least one energy performance category. This ensures that investments are not limited to cosmetic upgrades but contribute meaningfully to energy savings.

The maximum grant amount for eligible works is set at €300 per square metre of principal living space, inclusive of VAT. For a dwelling of 120 square metres, the maximum grant may therefore reach €36,000. In addition, certain ancillary expenses are fully covered, including engineers’ fees, the issuance of Energy Performance Certificates, the Electronic Building Identity, required permits, and inspections by a Building Inspector, up to a total amount of €2,500.

The application process is conducted exclusively online and consists of two stages. First, applicants must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility through the gov.gr platform, confirming on a preliminary basis that both the applicant and the property meet the fundamental requirements. Subsequently, a Funding Application must be submitted through the information system of the Technical Chamber of Greece, accompanied by a proposed intervention plan and all required supporting documentation. Applications are assessed according to the order of submission and the availability of funding.

Finally, beneficiaries are subject to specific long-term obligations. For a minimum period of five years following project completion, the property must continue to be used for the purpose for which the funding was granted. In cases where the property is rented out, short-term rental exploitation (such as through Airbnb) is prohibited, and restrictions on rental levels apply during the initial years. Furthermore, the transfer of ownership of the property during the five-year period will trigger an obligation to repay the grant. The decision is signed by the Alternate Minister of National Economy and Finance, the Minister of Environment and Energy, the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs, the Minister of Digital Governance, and the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance.