Applications for the “I Save – Upgrade” program, with a total budget of €20 million and the potential to provide grants for approximately 1,300 to 1,400 homes. Speaking on the “Alpha Kalimera” show, Andreas Lizidis, an official with the Ministry of Energy’s Industry and Technology Service, Andreas Lizidis, explained who is eligible, what types of work are covered, and when the grants are expected to be disbursed.
The program is intended exclusively for individuals, who may be homeowners or tenants, provided that the residences are not used for business purposes. Eligible properties are those that were first connected to the EAC grid before 2008 or for which an application for a zoning or building permit was submitted before December 21, 2007. Each interested party may submit one application; however, prior to submission, an Energy Performance Certificate must be issued by a qualified expert.
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As Mr. Lizidis clarified, there is no restriction regarding the residence’s initial energy class, as long as the improvements ensure a primary energy savings of at least 60%. “The energy class doesn’t matter. What matters is achieving a 60% savings from the current state,” he said, explaining that a qualified expert will guide interested parties in selecting the appropriate measures. Each investment must include at least one measure involving the building envelope, such as thermal insulation of walls or the roof.
Eligible work includes, among other things, the replacement of windows and doors, the installation of shading systems, high-efficiency air conditioners, solar water heaters, heat pumps, photovoltaic systems, and energy storage batteries. Services provided by a qualified expert are also covered. According to the official announcement, the grant can reach up to €24,000 for homes that achieve energy savings of at least 60% and up to €32,000 for homes upgraded to nearly zero-energy buildings, while increased grants are provided for specific categories of beneficiaries.
Special mention was made of delays in the payment of grants from previous programs. “The grant is always paid after the renovation is completed and the energy savings rate is verified,” explained Mr. Lizidis, adding that the payment process can take up to six months or slightly longer. As he noted, those who completed the upgrades and submitted payment requests by June are expected to be paid by the end of 2026, while payments for claims submitted from July through September are estimated to be made in early 2027.
For the new call for applications, however, measures have been taken to speed up the review and payment processes. “The goal is to keep the process to no more than 90 days,” said Mr. Lizidis, though this does not guarantee the timing of the grant disbursement. Applications will be submitted electronically via the fundingapps.meci.gov.cy by December 30, 2026, or until the available budget is exhausted, with priority determined by the date of submission.
