MaPrimeRénov is a French government grant for energy renovation work — insulation, heat pumps, ventilation and more — available to all homeowners who file a French tax return. The amount depends on your household reference income (RFR), and the grant goes up to 70% of costs for the lowest income band.
There is a French government grant that covers a significant chunk of the cost of insulating your home, installing a heat pump, or upgrading your heating system. It is open to all homeowners in France who file a French tax return. Many people who qualify have never heard of it.
MaPrimeRénov was created in 2020 to encourage energy-efficient renovation across France's housing stock. It replaced the old tax credit system and is now paid directly as a grant — not as a deduction from your tax bill. The amount depends on your income, the type of work, and where you live.
The portal reopened fully on 23 February 2026 following the delayed adoption of the Finance Act. All income bands and renovation routes are now open.
Who Can Apply
MaPrimeRénov is available to:
- Owner-occupiers — if you live in the property you want to renovate as your main residence
- Landlords — if you own a French property that you let out, you can still apply (up to three properties over a five-year period). See our guides on UK rental income and French tax and holiday let classification
- Co-owners — for work on shared parts of a building
You must be a French tax resident who files an annual French tax return. The application requires your numéro fiscal and the reference number from your most recent Avis d'Impôt. Non-residents who do not file a French return cannot apply, even if they own a French property. If you are still UK-resident and own a French holiday home, MaPrimeRénov is not available to you.
What does not qualify:
- Second homes or holiday properties used personally without letting
- Properties less than 15 years old (with limited exceptions for certain heating system replacements)
How Much Can You Get?
The grant amount depends on your household reference income (RFR — the figure on the front of your Avis d'Impôt), the type of work, and whether you are in Île-de-France or the rest of France. Not sure what your RFR is or how it's calculated? See our RFR guide.
France divides applicants into four income bands:
| Band (colour code) | Who qualifies | Grant level |
|---|---|---|
| Très modeste (Blue) | Lowest income | Up to 70% of eligible costs |
| Modeste (Yellow) | Lower-middle income | Up to 50% of eligible costs |
| Intermédiaire (Purple) | Middle income | Up to 35% of eligible costs |
| Supérieur (Pink) | Higher income | Up to 15% of eligible costs — single works not available |
2026 RFR thresholds — outside Île-de-France:
| Household size | Très modeste | Modeste | Intermédiaire |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | ≤ €17,173 | ≤ €22,015 | ≤ €30,020 |
| 2 people | ≤ €25,115 | ≤ €32,197 | ≤ €43,907 |
| 3 people | ≤ €30,206 | ≤ €38,719 | ≤ €52,800 |
| 4 people | ≤ €35,285 | ≤ €45,234 | ≤ €61,676 |
Thresholds are higher in Île-de-France. The RFR used is from your most recent Avis d'Impôt — for 2026 applications, that means your 2024 RFR from your 2025 tax notice.
Run a simulation at mesaidesreno.beta.gouv.fr to check your band and estimate your grant before approaching any contractors.
What this means in practice: A retired UK expat couple outside Île-de-France with a combined RFR of €28,000 falls into the Modeste band — 50% grant rate. On a €12,000 heat pump installation, that's €6,000 back. Many couples with modest pension income qualify for the Modeste or Très modeste band and may not realise it.
What Works Are Eligible?
MaPrimeRénov operates through two routes depending on the scale of your project.
Route 1 — Gesture-Based (Single or Multiple Works)
For individual renovation items. Available to Très modeste, Modeste, and Intermédiaire bands — the Supérieur (Pink) band cannot use this route.
Eligible works include:
- Heating systems — air-to-water or ground-source heat pump, biomass boiler (automatically fed)
- Hot water — solar thermal water heater, thermodynamic water heater
- Ventilation — double-flow mechanical ventilation (VMC double flux)
- Insulation — roof and attic insulation, floor insulation
Important 2026 change: Wall insulation (both internal and external) is no longer eligible under the gesture-based route from 1 January 2026. Wall insulation now requires Route 2 (major renovation). Also from 2026, properties rated F or G on the energy performance certificate (DPE) are no longer eligible for gesture-based renovation — these must use Route 2.
Deadline for gesture-based renovation: Applications remain open until December 2026. From January 2027, gesture-based renovation will only be available for heating and hot water system changes.
Route 2 — Major Renovation (Accompanied Route)
For ambitious projects that significantly improve the property's energy rating — typically moving up 2 or more DPE classes. This route:
- Requires involvement of a government-approved adviser (Mon Accompagnateur Rénov')
- Provides higher grant percentages than Route 1
- Is compulsory for F- and G-rated properties from 2026
- Has a processing backlog of around 83,000 files — allow up to 6 months for decisions
The Steps — In the Right Order
Most mistakes happen because people approach this in the wrong sequence. Here is the correct order:
Step 1 — Check your eligibility Run the simulation at mesaidesreno.beta.gouv.fr. Enter your household details, income, and the works you are considering. This tells you your band, your estimated grant, and which route applies.
Step 2 — Consult a France Rénov' adviser From 2026 this is mandatory before submitting any application. The service is free and available online or by phone via france-renov.gouv.fr. The adviser helps you identify the right works and the right route.
Step 3 — Get quotes from RGE-certified contractors Only work carried out by a contractor with RGE certification (Reconnu Garant de l'Environnement) qualifies. Check a contractor's RGE status before engaging them at renovation-info-service.gouv.fr. Always get at least two quotes.
Step 4 — Submit your application — BEFORE starting work Apply at maprimerenov.gouv.fr. Attach the detailed quote, your most recent Avis d'Impôt, and proof of ownership. Do not sign the quote or pay any deposit until you have received formal approval. Applications submitted after work has begun are rejected with no exceptions.
Step 5 — Receive approval and commission the work Once approval arrives, sign the quote and proceed. Keep all documents — quotes, invoices, completion certificates.
Step 6 — Submit completion documents After the work is finished and invoiced, upload the invoice and any required completion documents via your account on maprimerenov.gouv.fr. The grant is paid after validation — allow 2 to 4 months from completion to payment.
Combining MaPrimeRénov With Other Support
MaPrimeRénov can be used alongside several other schemes — and combining them significantly reduces your out-of-pocket cost.
Chèque énergie — if your household income is below the threshold, France also sends an annual energy voucher worth up to €277. Lower-income households eligible for the highest MaPrimeRénov band will almost certainly also qualify. See our chèque énergie guide.
CEE grants (energy saving certificates) — energy suppliers are required by law to fund energy-saving projects and offer their own grants, often called primes énergie. Available regardless of income level and can be combined with MaPrimeRénov. Many RGE contractors apply for these on your behalf at no extra cost — always ask.
Éco-PTZ (interest-free renovation loan) — a zero-interest loan of up to €50,000 for qualifying energy renovation work, used to cover the portion not funded by MaPrimeRénov. (Full guide coming soon.)
Reduced VAT — renovation work on properties more than 2 years old benefits from a reduced VAT rate of 5.5% for energy renovation or 10% for general improvement work. Your contractor applies this automatically.
Local authority grants — many departments and communes offer additional grants on top of MaPrimeRénov. Use the ANIL search tool at anil.org to check what is available in your area.
Does the Grant Count as Taxable Income?
No. MaPrimeRénov grants are not declared as income on your French tax return and do not affect your RFR. The grant is treated as a reduction in the cost of the works, not as income received. Your RFR does however determine your grant band — Taxpert can help you find your RFR quickly at taxpert.fr/basic-tool.
Common Mistakes
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Starting work before applying. Applications submitted after work begins are rejected outright — no exceptions. Apply first, receive approval, then commission the work.
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Using a contractor without RGE certification. Only RGE-certified contractors qualify. Check before signing anything at renovation-info-service.gouv.fr.
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Not consulting a France Rénov' adviser first. From 2026 this is mandatory before any application. It is free and takes around 30 minutes.
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Assuming wall insulation is still eligible under gesture-based renovation. From January 2026 it is not — wall insulation now requires the major renovation route.
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Not combining with CEE grants. Most RGE contractors can apply for CEE grants on your behalf at no extra cost. Always ask before signing the quote.
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Applying as a non-resident. You must file a French tax return to apply. UK-resident owners of French property cannot use MaPrimeRénov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can UK expats claim MaPrimeRénov?
Yes — if you are a French tax resident who files an annual French return. You need your numéro fiscal and most recent Avis d'Impôt to apply. UK-resident owners of French property who do not file a French return cannot apply.
Does it matter if my property is a second home?
Yes. MaPrimeRénov applies to main residences and properties that are let out as rentals. It does not apply to second homes or holiday properties used personally. If your French property is your main residence, you qualify as an owner-occupier. If it is a holiday home you use yourself, you do not.
My French property is rented out. Can I still claim?
Yes. Landlords can claim MaPrimeRénov for renovation work on rental properties — up to three properties over a five-year period. The income threshold used is the landlord's household RFR, not the tenant's.
What is an RGE contractor and how do I check?
RGE (Reconnu Garant de l'Environnement) is a government certification for contractors who carry out energy renovation work. Only RGE-certified work qualifies. Check at renovation-info-service.gouv.fr using the company name or SIRET number.
I want to insulate my walls. Can I still claim?
From January 2026, wall insulation (internal and external) is no longer eligible under the gesture-based route. It now requires the major renovation route, which involves a France Rénov' adviser and a more ambitious project that improves the property's energy rating by at least two DPE classes.
How long does the process take?
For gesture-based renovation: allow 4 to 8 weeks from application to approval, then 2 to 4 months from submitting the completion documents to receiving payment. For major renovation: the current backlog means decisions can take up to 6 months.
Is there an advance payment available?
Yes — households in the Très modeste band can receive an advance of up to 50% of the projected grant before work starts. Other bands receive payment after completion.
Official resources:
- Application portal: maprimerenov.gouv.fr
- Eligibility simulator: mesaidesreno.beta.gouv.fr
- France Rénov' adviser: france-renov.gouv.fr
- RGE contractor search: renovation-info-service.gouv.fr
- Local grants search: anil.org