Four energy and functional upgrade programs for residential buildings with a total budget of €1 billion are currently “running” in parallel, enabling thousands of households – mainly vulnerable ones – to reduce their energy costs by changing appliances and/or reducing heat losses through insulation, replacing windows and frames, etc.

The key features of the programs are as follows:

1. Save 2025, with a budget of €434 million. It concerns buildings used as a main residence (detached houses and individual apartments) and provides for aid rates of 50% to 100% of the investment cost.

– Eligible costs under the scheme include:
* replacement of windows and doors,
* installation/upgrade of thermal insulation,
* heating/cooling system upgrade,
* hot water system using Renewable Energy Sources (RES),
* other energy saving interventions, such as the installation of smart management system (smarthome) and energy storage systems (batteries).

For those who cover their own contribution with a loan, it is noted that the loan will be interest-free (fixed interest rate and subsidized at 100%).

Heating rating days are used as the criterion for evaluating energy upgrade proposals and priority is given to the coldest areas of the country.Applications are submitted at https://exoikonomo2025.gov.gr/

2. Change Heating System and Water Heater, with a budget of EUR 223.2 million. The application platform (https://allazosistimathermansis-thermosifona.gov.gr) opened last Monday, 13 January and will run until 31 March. Subsidies:

The purchase of a new, state-of-the-art solar water heater, at a rate of 50% or 60%. The exact percentage is based on income criteria.

The purchase of a new heat pump system, at a rate of 50%.

The performance of necessary additional installation work of eligible equipment (e.g., transportation costs, installation costs, consumables and accessories, etc.), at a rate of 50% or 60% (depending on income criteria and whether it is a water heater or heat pump).

The program is addressed to households wishing to install the above eligible equipment in their home (primary or secondary residence, rented or rented).

3. Upgrading my house, with a budget of €300 million: This is a program for the provision of interest-free loans for energy interventions in dwellings (main or non-rented secondary) of natural persons, without income criteria.

Beneficiaries of the Program are natural persons who have a right in rem (full ownership/ usufruct/ late ownership) in an eligible dwelling (main or non-rented secondary), provided that they have not become beneficiaries of any other energy renovation Program financed or financed with EU funds as of 01.01.2020.

The eligible investments are:
1.1 Thermal insulation (internal/external).
1.2 Construction of a green roof.
1.3 Installation of energy-efficient frames – glass panes.
1.4 Installation of solar water heater.
1.5 Installation of external permanent shading systems (not awnings).
1.6 Installation of a heating-cooling system using exclusively renewable energy sources or a high-efficiency combined heat and power system (indicatively electric heat pump, inverter air conditioning units of energy class A+ and above) 1.7 Installation of thermostatic regulation systems.
1.8 Installation of an energy storage system (accumulators) from renewable energy sources.
1.9 Installation of photovoltaic stations – small wind turbines and other renewable energy sources and
1.10 Installation works/Services of a technical consultant-engineer.

The characteristics of the program were defined by a Decree (Government Gazette 6896 B΄, 16/12/2024) and the application platform is expected to open in January.

4. The Guide of the program was put to consultation by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. It concerns legally existing preserved buildings and all private buildings, buildings owned by the public sector, buildings owned by NPOs and NPOs of the wider public sector are eligible to participate in it. In particular, as regards private buildings, all property owners without income or other criteria are eligible to participate in the Program. The program provides for the financing of renovation works for: a) their functional reintegration b) the improvement of their energy efficiency by at least two energy classes and c) the preservation and promotion of their historical, architectural identity.

Indicatively, the interventions will include:
– Cleaning and restoration of facades
– Taking immediate salvage measures for the shell of the buildings
– Structural strengthening of the buildings, electrical and mechanical works,
– Landscaping of the interior and exterior of buildings
– Energy upgrading of buildings, in accordance with the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulation (KENAK) (Government Gazette B’ 2367/2017)

The maximum amount of funding is 50% of the project budget of the application and in any case cannot exceed the amount of 500,000 euros.