Renovations in France: grants and funding for green projects

Renovation work in France is tightly regulated, but there is also a wide - and often changing - range of financial aid aimed at improving energy efficiency and living conditions. 

In 2026, public support remains firmly focused on ‘green renovations’, with help concentrated on works that reduce energy consumption, cut greenhouse gas emissions, or bring degraded housing back into use.

What kind of renovation work is eligible?

French law broadly distinguishes between three categories of renovation:

• Work to improve living conditions and energy efficiency

• Work to restore derelict or badly degraded properties

• Work that adds value to an investment project

Only the first two categories are eligible for public aid. Cosmetic upgrades or purely value-adding works (for example, luxury fittings in a rental investment) are not subsidized.

National grants and tax incentives

The main pillar of state support for energy renovation remains MaPrimeRénov’, which replaced earlier tax-credit systems and is now well established. After several pauses and rule changes in recent years, the scheme is fully operational again in 2026.

MaPrimeRénov’ is a means-tested grant, with higher levels of aid for lower-income households. It supports work such as insulation, window replacement, heating system upgrades, and comprehensive renovation packages based on an energy audit.

Other forms of national support may include:

• Reduced VAT at 5.5% on eligible energy-efficiency work and materials

• Interest-free eco-loans (éco-prêt à taux zéro or éco-PTZ) of up to €30,000, repayable over 10-15 years, for qualifying properties (generally built before 1990)

• Certificats d’économies d’énergie (CEE), funded by large energy companies, which can provide additional financial help alongside state grants

• The chèque énergie, a means-tested payment that can be used to pay energy bills or contribute toward renovation work

These aids can often be combined, but eligibility conditions are strict and change frequently.

Local authority grants

In addition to national schemes, local authorities increasingly offer their own grants, either at departmental level or through intercommunal and metropolitan bodies.

Availability and generosity vary widely. In rural departments, aid is often targeted at low-income households and properties in poor condition. In more urban areas, grants can be far more generous and available to a wider range of incomes.

For example:

• In some rural departments, grants may be capped at 15% of works up to €3,000, subject to income limits and energy performance gains.

• In large cities and métropoles such as Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Grenoble, or Nice, combined local schemes can reach five-figure sums, sometimes regardless of household income.

To find what applies in your area, the Agence nationale pour l’information sur le logement (ANIL) offers a searchable database of grants by department and commune, as well as access to local housing and energy advisers.

Energy audits and certified contractors

For most grants, especially those linked to major energy improvements, you will need an energy audit, which can cost over €1,000. This audit determines whether the planned work meets minimum efficiency gains (often at least a 25% improvement).

Crucially, all subsidized eco-renovation work must be carried out by contractors certified “RGE” (reconnu garant de l’environnement). Without this certification, grants will be refused, even if the work itself is eligible.

Connexion tips: practical renovation pitfalls

• Check local opening hours before starting work - banks, mairies, markets, and even déchetteries often close on days you might not expect, and schedules change on public holidays.

• Do not repaint a house or shutters a different color without checking local rules. Many communes regulate exterior colors, especially in historic areas, and unauthorized changes can be ordered to be undone.

Renovation Q&A

Q: I saw a neighbor knocking down a swallow’s nest. Is this allowed?No. Swallows are protected birds in France. Destroying their nests or eggs is illegal and can lead to fines of up to €9,000 and six months in prison under environmental law. 

Swallow populations are under pressure due to pesticide use, and their nesting sites are strictly protected.

Q: Why are light switches often outside bathrooms in France?Water and electricity do not mix. Traditionally, switches were placed outside bathrooms to reduce risk. 

Modern installations now use earthed circuits and 30mA breakers, meaning waterproof switches may be installed inside bathrooms - but only at regulated distances from showers or baths.

Getting advice before you start

Because eligibility rules are complex and frequently revised, property owners are strongly advised to seek guidance before committing to work. The government’s renovation information service and the ANIL network can put you in touch with local advisers who understand both national and local schemes.

When planning renovations in France, good preparation can make the difference between receiving substantial financial support - and missing out entirely.