New program "Renovate": Who is eligible for a subsidy up to €36,000

An ambitious chapter for upgrading the country's housing stock began last June with the launch of the "Renovate 2026" program, a major government intervention to tackle the housing crisis, featuring a total budget of €500 million. The program offers particularly high grant rates reaching up to 95% for vulnerable groups (such as persons with disabilities and single-parent families), with the maximum grant amount reaching €36,000 per residence, which is further increased by €5,000 for each child (reaching, for instance, €46,000 for a family with two children).

Under a new Joint Ministerial Decision, the deadline for issuing eligibility certificates for vacant residences under the "Home Renovation" Action (NSRF 2021–2027) is extended until September 30, 2026, while financing criteria are broadened, enabling even more property owners to renovate and improve the energy efficiency of their properties.

The philosophy of the program focuses on the substantial upgrade of old houses, both at an energy and aesthetic level. A significant new facilitation is the provision for an advance payment of up to 50%, subject to conditions that will be determined in the final call for applications. Renovation is not only about functionality but also the overall image of the building, including the replacement of claddings (new tiles), repair, waterproofing, and aesthetic enhancement with modern painting systems, which play a decisive role in transforming and increasing the property's value. In this context, KRAFT Paints offers integrated solutions in paints, repair materials, waterproofing, bonding products, and coatings that aesthetically upgrade and provide long-term protection for homes.

Eligible Beneficiaries and Objectives

The program aims to activate approximately 750,000 vacant properties, with the first phase targeting 20,000 owners. For the first time, the following are eligible to participate:

1. Vacant Properties:

• Properties that have been declared as vacant on the E2 tax form during recent fiscal years.
• Obligation to be occupied or rented for at least five years following the renovation.

2. Owner-Occupied Properties:

• Properties to be used as a primary residence for a five-year period after the completion of the works.
• Priority will be given to young couples and owners up to 45 years old.

Basic Criteria

• Property Age: Properties with a building permit issued up to December 31, 1990.
• Property Size: Total floor area up to 120 sq.m.
• Income Limits: Annual family income up to €35,000 (for couples), with an additional €5,000 for each child.
• Subsidy Bonuses: The subsidy rate can be increased by 5% for properties in mountainous or island regions, and an additional 5% for families with three or more children, reaching a maximum of 90%.

For the final disbursement, electronic payment of expenses and quality certificates (CE) for the materials are required. Participation in the program requires the preparation of a technical file by a certified engineer, as well as the issuance of the necessary certificates (such as an Energy Performance Certificate - EPC), both before and after the completion of the works. It is not possible to combine this subsidy with other active housing or energy programs for the same property.

KRAFT Paints products meet all the necessary specifications, ensuring the approval of your expenditure.

Most properties included in the program show wear on walls, humidity, cracking, old tiles, and surfaces that require substantial preparation before the final aesthetic upgrade. A proper renovation begins with structural restoration and appropriate preparation.

At this stage, repair materials, smoothing putties, waterproofing products, coatings, and a range of other KRAFT Paints products play a decisive role, ensuring a stable substrate, durability over time, and protection against moisture and stress.

Work on facades and external structural elements is often accompanied by the need for waterproofing and repair on rooftops, balconies, and joints. KRAFT Paints' modern waterproofing systems protect the building from water ingress, contributing decisively to the long-term durability of the renovation.

The final coat with high-durability exterior paints offers not only aesthetic renewal but also protection against UV radiation, pollutants, and extreme weather conditions.

General renovation works often include changes to bathrooms, kitchens, and floors. KRAFT Paints' tile adhesives and grouts, cementitious waterproofing systems, and repair materials ensure proper application, high adhesion, and resistance to moisture and thermal stress, constituting a critical factor for a quality and durable result.

The final choice of smoothing putties, interior paints, varnishes, and enamels completes the project, creating bright, elegant spaces adapted to modern living needs.

Subsidized Works

The total cost of interventions will be subject to a maximum limit per square meter, which is expected to be specified in the official program call.

1. Energy Interventions (20% – 40% of the budget):

• Thermal insulation of facades and rooftops
• Replacement of window frames and heating systems
• As a rule, the issuance of an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is required both before and after the works.

2. General Renovation Works (60% – 90% of the budget):

• Upgrade of plumbing and electrical installations
• Replacement of floors, sanitary ware, and kitchens 
• Surface repairs, waterproofing, tile cladding, and interior & exterior painting

Application Period

The program will be implemented in two distinct phases:

• Phase A begins within June 2026 and pertains exclusively to the electronic eligibility check of property owners (automated via gov.gr).
• Phase B, namely the official submission process of inclusion applications by those approved, has been extended until September 30, 2026.

The baseline subsidy rate ranges between 80%–90% of the eligible cost, with an additional 5% increase for families with three or more children, households with persons with disabilities (PwD), as well as for properties in island or mountainous areas, with the maximum ceiling for vulnerable categories now reaching up to 95%.

KRAFT Paints supports every stage of the renovation, offering comprehensive solutions in paints, tile adhesives, putties, repair, and waterproofing products. With technical expertise and reliable systems, it contributes to the creation of durable, functional, and aesthetically upgraded homes.