Free house renovations in Croatia for vulnerable families

Croatia

A new €25 million programme is being launched in Croatia to help the country’s most vulnerable households improve their living conditions and reduce energy costs.

The initiative is led by the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund (FZOEU), in cooperation with the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition.

This major energy renovation programme will fully cover the costs of upgrading family homes for households at risk of energy poverty, Slobodna Dalmacija reports.

What is energy poverty?

Energy poverty refers to households that cannot afford basic energy services such as heating, cooling, hot water, lighting, and power for appliances.

The main causes include low income, poor insulation, and high energy bills.

According to Croatia’s Bureau of Statistics, 4.6% of people in Croatia in 2024 lived in homes that could not provide adequate heating during winter.

What’s being funded?

The programme covers a wide range of energy-saving improvements, including:

• Installation of thermal insulation
• Replacement of old and inefficient windows and doors
• Installation of modern, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems
• Setting up systems that use renewable energy sources

Who can apply?

The call is open to all Croatian citizens who own a family house and believe they meet the criteria for energy poverty.

To apply, homeowners must complete a questionnaire available on the official website of the Fund. They must also submit:

• A signed applicant declaration
• Photographic documentation of the house
• Proof of the building’s legal status

Applications can be submitted by post, e-mail, or in person at the Fund’s offices. The deadline is 31 May 2025.

Expert support available

Citizens can get help with filling out and submitting documentation from local energy agencies, social welfare offices, city and county authorities, and other authorised experts.

Once the initial data has been analysed, a public call with detailed conditions and criteria will be published, expected by the end of the second quarter of 2025.

This programme is part of Croatia’s broader efforts to support the green transition and improve the lives of those most affected by energy poverty. By funding home upgrades, the government hopes to ensure more people live in warmer, healthier, and more energy-efficient homes.

For more information and access to the questionnaire, citizens can visit the official website of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund.