29.12.2023.
On its website, the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund has published the terms and conditions and criteria for co-financing energy renovation of family houses. In 2024, citizens will have EUR 120 million at disposal, which is the largest amount so far allocated by the State for these projects.Eligible applicants include owners and co-owners whose houses have the surface area of up to 600 m2 or up to three residential units and more than 50% of the surface area is intended for housing. The applicants must have registered permanent residence in this house, proper ownership, and proof that the facility is fully legal. If the house was damaged by the earthquake, it is possible to get 80% of the eligible investment costs, while citizens whose houses were not damaged by the earthquake can count on up to 60% co-financing. Depending on the chare of percentage and energy renovation measures that will be implemented, the maximum amount of incentives will amount to 62,120.00 euros per application.
In determining the amount of incentives, the Fund was guided by the current market prices of building materials, services and equipment needed for renewable energy systems, all with the intention of making energy renovation as financially acceptable as possible to citizens.
Owners of family houses can get grants for measures to increase thermal protection of the envelope, which includes better thermal insulation of exterior walls and roof, and replacement of exterior glazing. In addition, funds can be obtained for the installation of heat pumps, solar thermal collectors, and pellet boilers. As for the installation of photovoltaic power plants for the production of electricity for own consumption, the Fund will, as in previous public calls, co-finance them with 50%. Citizens who decide to install a solar power plant, and already own or intend to buy an electric vehicle, will certainly be interested in the possibility of obtaining funds for a home charging point.
Family houses whose energy renovation will be incentivised must obtain an energy performance certificate, except in cases where only application for co-financing a PV power plant is submitted. If a complete energy renovation is carried out or the thermal insulation of the envelope of the house is improved, the house must fall into energy class D or lower in continental Croatia or C or lower in coastal Croatia. If heating/cooling and domestic hot water systems using renewable energy sources are installed, the energy class of a family house must be C or higher in continental Croatia or B or higher in coastal Croatia.
Submission of applications will start on the day of launching the public call for energy retrofit of family houses, and no later than the end of February 2024. Citizens will submit their applications electronically through the NIAS system, while the link to the electronic service, as well as the user manual with all accompanying application forms, will be available as part of the documentation for the call. Hiring professional and technical assistance for project preparation will be an eligible cost, and applicants will also have the option to give power of attorney to another person to submit the application on their behalf.
To familiarise citizens with the terms and conditions of the public call and answer all their questions, the Fund will organise informative and educational workshops, and all presentations and materials will be available on the Fund’s website.
The aim of this program, which the Fund implements in cooperation with the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, is to further encourage the application of energy efficiency measures and the use of renewable energy sources in family houses. So, apart from reducing harmful emissions, the amount of energy needed to heat and cool the premises will be reduced resulting in financial savings and improved comfort and quality of staying in family houses.
All conditions and criteria for co-financing are available here:
- Terms and conditions and criteria - 2024 energy renovation of family houses.pdf (in Croatian)
- Annex - Technical requiremets.pdf (in Croatian)
