A new €20 million funding round to improve the energy efficiency of homes in Cyprus is set to open for applications in September, according to the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry.
The third call under the “Save-Upgrade Houses” scheme will bring the total funding available through the THALEIA programme to €85 million, Energy Minister Michalis Damianos confirmed at a press briefing.
The initiative offers grants of up to €32,000 per property, depending on the scale and type of works.
What’s covered under the energy grant scheme?
Eligible improvements focus on boosting energy performance and reducing household bills. These include:
- Thermal insulation
- Replacement of windows and doors
- Installation of shading systems
- Upgrades to heating and cooling systems
- Solar water heating systems
- Photovoltaic (solar panel) systems, with or without energy storage
- Services from certified energy experts
Homeowners can arrange site visits with specialists to secure an Energy Performance Certificate and begin planning works ahead of the application window.
Who qualifies for the €32,000 energy grant?
The scheme is aimed exclusively at private individuals upgrading existing homes. To qualify:
- The property must have been built before 1 January 2008
- It must be owned by a natural person (not a company)
- It must have a domestic electricity account with the Electricity Authority of Cyprus
- The property must have been connected to the grid before 1 January 2008, or have had planning permission submitted before 21 December 2007
Additional support is available for vulnerable households, homes in mountainous areas, and refugee housing, with grants increased by 20% in these cases.
Faster payments promised after earlier delays
Officials acknowledged that the previous funding round faced delays due to a surge in payment claims submitted simultaneously last summer.
In response, the Ministry has introduced reforms to speed up processing. Applications will now be assessed based on risk, allowing low-risk claims to be approved more quickly and in some cases, without on-site inspections.
Low-risk cases include smaller grant requests, applications submitted by trusted professionals, and projects involving limited works.
The Ministry also worked with the European Commission to enable more flexible inspection procedures, easing administrative bottlenecks.
Strong demand keeps scheme running
Mr Damianos said the scheme continues due to sustained demand, giving more households the opportunity to apply – particularly those who missed earlier rounds.
However, the budget for this third call is reduced to €20 million, down from €30 million in the previous round, reflecting significant funding already allocated.
He emphasised that the scheme is not only an environmental measure but also part of broader social policy, helping households cut energy costs, improve living conditions and contribute to national and EU climate targets.
Applications open September
Online applications are due to open in September, with a full implementation guide to be published on the Ministry’s website. Details may be found on the Service of Industry and Technology website and a dedicated helpline (17107) will also be available.
