In Portugal, there are many financial incentives to finance renovation projects that promote the building energy optimization, in another words "Rehabilitate and improve the energy and water performance of buildings". 

Below there are a couple of examples:  

This government program called Edifícios mais sustentáveis Program  2020 is dedicated to individuals who want to invest in improving the energy efficiency of their property in Portugal.

A 4.5 million program was launched in Portugal starting on the 7^th of September 2020, to help improve the energy efficiency of homes with incentives including both works and materials in the process. The initiative includes support up to 70% with a limit of refund to €15 000 per owner and 7,500€ per building or unit.

Private owners of properties built before the end of 2006 can ask for the refund up to 70% of their expenses related to energy optimisation.

The eligible expenses are strictly regulated by the government and classified into six categories : Windows, thermal insulation, heating/cooling for air and domestic hot water systems, renewable energy production equipments, optimisation of water management and integration of biomaterials, recycled materials, green covers and bioclimatic architectural solutions.

Do the work, send the invoice and proof of ownership and the money will be credited.

The allocation for this incentive is € 1,750,000 (one million seven hundred and fifty thousand euros) in 2020 and € 2,750,000 (two million seven hundred and fifty thousand euros) in 2021.

Co-funded works: 

Example: 

(*values in euros)

Conditions:

• Private property owners/houses
• Buildings multi/singular family, Apartments/townhouses (Frações Autonomas) built before 2006
• Continental Portugal

Eligible costs

• The costs of purchasing new equipment included in the project types up to the maximum amounts established
• Expenses billed and paid in full and subject to delivery or installation under the following criteria:   

          - date after 7^th of September 2020

         - used for the sole purpose of achieving the objective of the incentive

         - comply with tax and contributory legislation

Costs not included

• Acquisition of land, buildings and other properties;
• Construction or modificatiom works of buildings regardless of whether they are necessary to implement the energy efficiency measure (s);
• Costs with the maintenance and operation of the energy efficiency measure (s) to be implemented;
• Acquisition of monitoring systems, material and software;
• Acquisition or replacement of existing appliances;
• Projects, certifications, audits, studies and preparatory activities, licensing; 
• Project/Construction management/supervision, safety coordination, environmental monitoring, technical assistance and management;
• Expenses with the temporary resettlement of residents in the intervention building;
• Expenses associated with other interventions in the building that are not related to the eligible interventions;
• The recoverable Value Added Tax (VAT);
• Costs covered by other sources of financing;
• Fines, penalties and litigation costs;
• Excessive or inappropriate expenses for previously established purposes.

How does this program works:

• Access to the program web site "fundo ambiental"
• Fill in your details, including the receipt of expenses and other necessary documents
• Submit the application
• Receive notification and confirmation the application has been submitted
• Possible request for more information
• Notification of request approval
• Transfer of funds to indicated account

How do you apply? 

To prepare your application, please follow the steps below:

Access the Fundo ambiental web page (please note that all links presented here open pages in portuguese, which will have to be translated)

1. Gather the required documents   

• Citizen card or BI
• Certificate of no debt in the finance department
• Certificate of no debt in Social security
• Fiscal number
• Energy certificate
• Caderneta Predial
• Licença de Habitação
• Invoices
• Photographic evidence from before and after
• Energy level class +
• System energy level
• Certified installers technicians
• ANQUIP Certification
• Certification or label related to eco-materials

Consult and download the checklist that the oficial web site has prepared , where you will find the documents that you must compile in order to apply for each type of intervention: 

• Checklist- What are the mandatory documents for the application?

You should also consult the following documents at this stage (please note all the links ae in portuguese): 

• Incentive allocation regulation - Support Program for More Sustainable Buildings 
• Common questions

- General Issues

- Typology issues 1 /- Type 2 issues  /- Type 3 issues  /- Type 4 Issues  /- Type 5 issues  /- Type 6 issues

2.  Register on the platform

Please register before starting to fill in the application form.

3.  Start filling out the form - (Fill in your details, including the receipt of expenses and other necessary documents)

Access the application form to start filling it out. 

>  Application form - access here   

See the  Support Manual for filling out the form

Note : to give permission to consult the Tax Authority and Social Security Authority's non-debt certificates, you need the following elements:

- Environmental Fund NIPC - 600 086 992 

- NISS of the Environmental Fund - 2600 086 9927

 4. Get more clarification and information 

If you need additional clarification, contact through the following channels:

• E-mail: edificios@fundoambiental.pt
• Phone: 214 722 800

Don't forget: Applications until December 31, 2021

• The deadline for submitting applications to the Incentive runs from September 7, 2020 until 11.59 pm on December 31, 2021 or until the estimated allocation is exhaust

Another program is Casa Eficiente 2020 Portugal Program

This program provides loans on favorable terms for any measure to improve the environmental performance of existing private housing. It focuses on energy and water efficiency and urban waste management.