- The Éco-PTZ is a genuinely interest-free loan — up to €50,000 — for energy-renovation works on your main home. The state covers the bank's interest, not you
- It has no income conditions at all, unlike MaPrimeRénov', so it's worth checking even if your grant amount was modest
- It's designed to be used alongside MaPrimeRénov' — the grant covers part of the bill, the Éco-PTZ covers the rest, interest-free
- Almost nobody seems to have heard of it — if you've had renovation work done and only claimed MaPrimeRénov', you may have left this on the table
If you read the MaPrimeRénov' guide and claimed your grant, you probably assumed that was the end of the financial support available for your renovation. It isn't. There's a second scheme sitting right behind it — one that barely seems to get mentioned — that can fund the gap MaPrimeRénov' didn't cover, at 0% interest.
This is the Éco-PTZ, short for Éco-Prêt à Taux Zéro — literally, the "eco-loan at zero rate." It's not a grant, so you do pay it back. But the interest, which the bank would normally charge, is paid by the state instead of you. For renovation works that often run into five figures, that's not a small saving.
What it actually is
The Éco-PTZ is a state-backed loan, arranged through a small number of partner banks, specifically for energy-renovation works on your main home — insulation, heating systems, windows, ventilation, or a combination of these. You borrow the money, you repay it over a set term, and you pay no interest on it at all. The cost of that interest is absorbed by the state, not folded quietly into your repayments.
Unlike MaPrimeRénov', there's no income condition. It doesn't matter what band your household falls into — anyone meeting the property and works criteria can apply. That's worth sitting with for a moment if you assumed, because your MaPrimeRénov' amount was modest, that you wouldn't qualify for much else. The Éco-PTZ doesn't ask the same question.
How much you can borrow
The amount depends on how much work you're doing, not on your income:
- €7,000 for window/glazing replacement alone
- Up to €15,000 for a single category of energy-improvement work (insulation, heating, ventilation, etc.)
- Up to €25,000 for two categories of work combined
- Up to €30,000 for three or more categories
- Up to €50,000 for a full-scale renovation that improves overall energy performance by at least 35%, or lifts the property by two DPE bands — this tier requires a prior energy audit
Repayment terms run up to 15 years for most work, extending to 20 years for the full €50,000 renovation tier.
The conditions
A few things have to line up:
- The property must be your main residence — occupied at least 8 months of the year — not a second home or short-term let
- It must have been completed for at least 2 years before the works start
- The works must be carried out by an RGE-certified professional — "Reconnu Garant de l'Environnement." This is the same certification requirement that applies to MaPrimeRénov', so if you've already found an RGE tradesperson for that grant, the same one can usually do the Éco-PTZ work too
- You apply before signing any quote, not after — the loan request goes in first, then the binding paperwork with your tradesperson
One Éco-PTZ is allowed per property, though a complementary second loan can be requested within 5 years of the first, within the overall cap.
Using it alongside MaPrimeRénov'
This is the bit that makes it worth a second look even if you've already been through the MaPrimeRénov' process. The two schemes are designed to be combined: MaPrimeRénov' covers a portion of the cost as a direct grant, and the Éco-PTZ covers some or all of what's left, interest-free, rather than you finding that balance from savings or a standard loan with interest attached.
If your renovation bill was larger than your MaPrimeRénov' grant — which it usually is — this is the gap-filler most people don't know exists.
Why this one flies under the radar
MaPrimeRénov' gets talked about constantly — it's the headline scheme, the one every tradesperson mentions when they quote you. The Éco-PTZ doesn't get the same airtime, possibly because it's a loan rather than free money, and "interest-free loan" doesn't market itself as snappily as "grant." But for anyone financing renovation work rather than paying it outright, the difference between a normal loan and a 0% one on €20,000–€50,000 is real money.
A quick word on tax
The energy-renovation tax credit that used to exist alongside these schemes — the CITE — was abolished back in 2021 and folded into MaPrimeRénov'. There isn't a separate crédit d'impôt sitting on top of the Éco-PTZ for energy works in 2026, so you don't need to go hunting for one. A separate, narrower tax credit for adapting a home to disability or loss of autonomy (Article 200 quater A of the Code Général des Impôts) did exist, but it only covered expenses paid up to 31 December 2025 and is not available for work carried out from 2026 onward. The loan itself isn't income, isn't taxable, and doesn't need declaring on your French return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a certain income level to qualify for the Éco-PTZ?
No. Unlike MaPrimeRénov', the Éco-PTZ has no income conditions at all. Eligibility depends on the property and the works, not your household's resources.
Can I use the Éco-PTZ and MaPrimeRénov' together?
Yes — they're designed to work together. MaPrimeRénov' covers part of the cost as a grant, and the Éco-PTZ can cover some or all of the remaining balance interest-free.
Does the tradesperson need a specific certification?
Yes. Works must be carried out by an RGE-certified professional — the same certification required for MaPrimeRénov'. If you've already used an RGE tradesperson for that grant, they can typically carry out the Éco-PTZ-funded work too.
Is the loan itself taxable, or does it need declaring on my French tax return?
No. The Éco-PTZ is a loan, not income, and doesn't need to be declared as such on your French tax return.
What if my renovation work is finished — can I still apply?
No — the Éco-PTZ application needs to go in before you sign a binding quote with your tradesperson, not after work has started or completed. If you're planning further renovation phases, apply before that next quote is signed.
Is there a separate tax credit for energy renovation work I should also claim?
No — the old energy-renovation tax credit (CITE) was scrapped in 2021 and replaced entirely by MaPrimeRénov'. A separate, narrower credit for disability/autonomy home adaptations (CGI Article 200 quater A) existed but stopped covering expenses after 31 December 2025. There's no additional credit to chase for renovation financing in 2026.