Greece is promoting energy efficiency and energy renovation in homes through its national “Exikonomo” (“I Save”) programs, which aim to modernize buildings and reduce energy consumption.
The initiative includes specialized actions for vulnerable households, students, and certain categories of buildings. Developments are expected in the coming weeks as Greece prepares to incorporate the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD-2024/1275) into national law, with full implementation required by May 2026.
In parallel, a complementary energy savings program is being planned to renovate approximately 60,000 residential buildings and install around 380,000 new heating systems, strengthening the market and facilitating compliance with the updated energy standards outlined in the directive.
Over 50 percent of Greek homes built before 1980
Sources from the Ministry of Environment and Energy told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA) that the implementation of the new European rules “cannot and will not be applied in a blanket or punitive manner,” particularly given that over 50 percent of Greek homes were built before 1980 without modern energy standards. This was also discussed in a meeting between Greece’s Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou and representatives of POMIDA, the Greek federation of homeowners.
Papastavrou emphasized that the Ministry is taking POMIDA’s concerns and proposals into account through legislative and administrative measures, including initiatives focused on the energy upgrading of buildings. The energy savings directive sets targets for residential buildings to reduce primary energy use by 16 percent by 2030 and 20–22 percent by 2035, with a focus on renovating the 43 percent of worst-performing buildings.
It also establishes requirements such as zero emissions from fossil fuels for all new buildings—January 1, 2028 for public buildings and January 1, 2030 for other new buildings—with certain exemptions possible. Additional measures include minimum energy efficiency standards for non-residential buildings and increased use of renewable energy sources (RES).
Regarding the new housing energy upgrade programs, Ministry sources note that compliance with the directive includes financial and technical support, especially for vulnerable households, the use of additional indicators such as carbon dioxide emissions, and exceptions for special categories of buildings, taking into account the social dimension and energy poverty.
Greece’s “Save” programs for energy efficiency upgrades in homes
The “Save” programs are the primary mechanism for putting EU energy goals into practice in the Southern European nation. These programs ensure that the burden of the energy transition does not land on citizens in Greece, linking new requirements to subsidies and simplified procedures so that energy upgrades in homes are both feasible and economically viable.
Available resources for these initiatives include two billion euros (about $2.37 billion) from the Social Climate Fund, which will be implemented from 2026 to 2032. This fund is one of three new European funds activated by Greece as part of the Social Climate Plan.
The programs also introduce a new approach to energy upgrades, using market tools and economies of scale created by grouping and standardizing interventions across homes. Incentives will be offered to energy and construction sector participants, particularly for measures benefiting energy-vulnerable households.
One key investment action, the “Renovation of Closed Private Properties” program, will finance owners of vacant homes for functional and energy upgrades, with the condition that these homes be leased long-term at reduced rent to energy-vulnerable households and students.
Additionally, the energy upgrading projects provide free services by certified engineers, recognizing that many vulnerable households cannot afford the cost of an Energy Performance Certificate.