Greece expands eligibility for ‘Ανακαινίζω 2026’ housing renovation scheme

The Greek government issued a new joint ministerial decision that widens the eligibility criteria for the “Ανακαινίζω 2026” housing renovation programme. The minimum ownership share required to apply is reduced from 50 % to 20 %, allowing co‑owners of inherited or jointly‑held properties to participate. A new electricity‑consumption test classifies a dwelling as “essentially vacant” if its total consumption in 2024‑2025 is below 100 kWh, provided the electricity supply has not been formally disconnected. These changes aim to bring thousands of additional closed houses into the scheme, facilitating renovation and mild energy‑efficiency upgrades. The programme, funded under the €500 million ESFA 2021‑2027 housing budget and part of a wider €6.5 billion housing‑crisis package, seeks to reactivate dormant housing stock, increase the supply of homes on the market and help curb rental price growth. To date more than 61 000 eligibility certificates have been issued through an online platform that cross‑checks consumption data with the national grid operator.