EXPLAINED: How to access France's property renovation grants

The grant scheme covers four main categories of renovating work:

• Heating (so changing the heater, for example, or installing a new system)
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Energy audits

However the company hired to renovate must be on the government-approved list of companies that qualify for the grant, which means they need the label RGE (Reconnue Garant de l’Environnement).

Who can access the grant scheme?

Only property owners can access the scheme, so not those renting.

The building needs to have been built at least 15 years ago. However, homes that are at least two years old can apply for the scheme if the objective is to finance the replacement of an oil-burning boiler with new heating or hot water supply equipment.

For several months only lower-income owners could benefit from the scheme, but in 2021 it became open to everyone.

At first the scheme was closed to second home owners, but a government decree published on January 26th confirmed that it had been widened to include anyone "with a legal right to the property".

That includes co-owners, second home owners and landlords who rent out their property.

Why is the government doing this?

MaPrimRenov was part of the French government's relaunch plan after the pandemic. Its original goal was to stimulate the economy while transforming households into more environmentally friendly, less energy-hungry entities.

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Simulating your grant

To simulate how large of a grant you might be eligible for you should first go to the website "https://france-renov.gouv.fr/aides/simulation". The home screen will ask you to choose the type of property you wish to apply the renovation aid to - either an apartment, a home, or a condominium.

The next page will involve describing details about your home and where you live (postal code, size in metres squared, construction year, primary heating method). Then, you will provide information about your household (ex. number of dependents) and your reference tax income, which can be found on the first page of your last income tax notice.

The next page will ask you to click on the relevant renovation work you would like to do. Keep in mind you can click on both an audit, as well as physical renovation work. 

After choosing the renovation work that applies to you, then may have to give specific details - for instance, if you were looking to have your interior walls insulated, then you would need to provide the surface area squared in metres. At this point, you can also enter any known costs in euros, excluding taxes, to make the simulation more accurate.

The final page will offer you a simulated amount for the renovation project you would like to do. If your amount is zero, that means you may not qualify for this aid. However, if you believe you ought to qualify or if you have any questions, you can contact your local advisory office for MaPrimeRenov by entering your city or postal code at this LINK.

You can also take a look at your income threshold to get a better idea of whether you might qualify, and if so for how much.

Income thresholds 

To determine whether or not a project is eligible for the grant scheme and how much money the household gets, the government checks the total income of the household against the cost of the renovating project.

The income thresholds for households depend on the kind of services needed, outlined in four different MaPrimeRénov' schemes: blue, yellow, violet or pink (full list HERE).

While MaPrimeRénovBleu (blue) is typically restricted to modest-income households, the maximum income thresholds also depend on the number of people living in the property and whether or not it is located in greater Paris Île-de-France region. 

Below you can see the income thresholds, as of 2021, for households outside the Paris region (on the top) and inside the Paris region (on the bottom).

Photo: French government

How do I apply?

To apply for a grant, you must create an account on maprimerenov.gouv.fr and connect to that account. In order to do this you will need a numéro fiscal, the number you use for filling out your tax returns, plus other documents you use when filing your taxes (bank details - both French and international banks work - copy of your ID, etc).

You will be asked to provide:

• A copy of your latest tax return
• An email address and a phone number
• Names and dates of birth of all members of the household
• A dévis (builders' invoice) for the work done
• The amount of any other help schemes or grants the household benefits from
• Co-owner households must provide an attestation signed by all parties as well as information regarding the number of households in the home.

Only work done after October 1st, 2020 is accepted (so applicants need a dévis signed after that date). 

A detailed guide to each step of the process can be found at maprimerenov.gouv.fr under the section "Me renseigner".

READ ALSO: How to convert a rustic barn into your dream home

Where can I get more information?

For more information and to access the grant, go to MaPrimeRénov'. You can also call +33 (0) 8 08 800 700 if you have specific questions on the scheme. You can also contact the office dedicated to serving your area - here is the link to find one near you.

If you want to search for a government approved renovating company in your area, go to this website, tap in your postcode and type of work you want done and hit search.