Obnov Dom (Renovation Subsidy Programme)

What is Obnov Dom and why was it created?

Obnov Dom (literally "Renovate Your Home") is Slovakia's flagship family-house renovation subsidy programme, funded through the European Recovery and Resilience Plan and, in 2026, the EU Modernization Fund. Since its launch, it has become the most popular energy-efficiency measure in the national recovery strategy, serving as a primary tool for reducing both household energy consumption and energy poverty across the country.

The programme addresses two interconnected challenges: energy-inefficient housing stock and vulnerable households unable to afford renovations. By providing direct financial support, Obnov Dom enables families to undertake deep-energy retrofit work that would otherwise remain unaffordable, reducing operational energy demand while improving living conditions and addressing fuel poverty.

Who is eligible to apply for Obnov Dom support?

The Obnov Dom mini+ programme, launched July 15, 2026, targets households threatened by energy poverty. Eligibility is based on disposable income: the equivalent disposable income per family member for 2024 must not exceed €12,990 annually.

Three groups are automatically exempt from income verification and do not need to provide proof of income: households consisting only of pension recipients (regardless of income level), families classified as being in material need, and households with four or more minor children. Property owners and co-owners (with written consent from all co-owners) may apply if they are of good standing, have no tax arrears, hold registered property rights, and maintain a bank account in euros. The property itself must be located in Slovakia, registered as a single-family residence, and built before 2016.

Eligibility Criterion	Requirement
Annual disposable income per family member	Not exceeding €12,990 (or exempt group status)
Applicant status	Good standing, no tax arrears, property rights holder, euro bank account
Property location	Slovakia
Property type	Single-family residence (rodinný dom)
Property age	Built before 2016
Energy certificate	Not required (2026 onwards)

What renovations and improvements are covered?

Obnov Dom supports comprehensive energy-efficiency renovations across the entire building envelope and heating system. Eligible measures include thermal insulation of external walls, roofs, basement ceilings, and attic floors; replacement of windows and external doors to reduce heat loss; roof covering replacement performed simultaneously with roof insulation; and installation of low-carbon heating technologies such as heat pumps, solar thermal collectors, and biomass boilers.

The programme also funds installation of heating system control and monitoring equipment, which optimizes energy use during operation. Importantly, applicants are not required to achieve a minimum energy-performance improvement threshold (such as the 30% reduction required in earlier programme iterations). All renovation work must be executed by qualified contractors; owner-performed labour is not eligible.

Measure Category	Eligible Improvements	Purpose
Thermal Envelope	Wall insulation, roof insulation, basement/attic floor insulation, window/door replacement	Reduce heat loss through building fabric; lower operational heating demand
Heating & Hot Water	Heat pump installation, solar thermal collectors, biomass boilers, heating system controls	Replace fossil-fuel heating; reduce primary energy demand; enable renewable energy integration
Roof Work	Roof covering replacement with concurrent insulation	Extend roof service life while upgrading thermal performance

How much financial support can I receive, and how is it structured?

The Obnov Dom mini+ programme provides up to €11,000 per family home. The key innovation of this 2026 call is the advance-payment mechanism: applicants receive 50% of their approved project costs upfront, up to a maximum of €5,500, before construction work begins. This advance payment is designed to remove the primary barrier for low-income households—the inability to finance initial renovation costs from personal savings.

The remaining 50% of costs (up to €5,500) is paid upon project completion and verification. This structure allows households to begin work immediately without requiring a large cash outlay, making deep renovation financially feasible for energy-poor families who would otherwise remain unable to access renovation support.

The 2026 programme has allocated €186 million from the Modernization Fund, which is expected to cover approximately 16,940 family homes across Slovakia. Applicants are advised to visit obnovdom.sk to verify the current call status and access the eligibility calculator and application portal.

How does Obnov Dom mini+ differ from the standard Obnov Dom programme?

The 2026 Obnov Dom mini+ call introduced several simplifications compared to earlier programme iterations. Most significantly, an energy-performance certificate is no longer required before or after renovation. In previous calls, applicants had to demonstrate at least 30% reduction in final energy demand and provide certified measurements—a requirement that added cost, complexity, and time to applications.

The mini+ variant is specifically tailored to energy-poor households, with lower administrative barriers and faster processing. It represents a shift in policy focus from technical performance metrics toward direct support for vulnerable populations. The removal of the energy-certificate requirement does not mean work is uncontrolled; rather, quality assurance rests on contractor qualification and works being performed to building standards, monitored through project documentation and site inspections.

What is the application process and timeline?

The Obnov Dom mini+ call opened July 15, 2026. The first application round remains open until August 31, 2026, or until 5,000 applications are registered through the online portal, whichever occurs first. This cap ensures prioritization and predictable programme administration within the €186 million allocation.

Applications are submitted through the official portal at obnovdom.sk or through alternative channels: email, postal delivery, or in-person visits to regional offices located in 10 Slovak cities. The programme provides technical assistance at regional offices and a helpline (0850 221 715) to support applicants with eligibility checks and application completion. An online eligibility calculator on the portal allows applicants to estimate both their eligibility and expected support amount before formal application.

How does Obnov Dom fit within Europe's broader renovation strategy?

Obnov Dom is Slovakia's primary response to the EU Renovation Wave strategy, which calls for doubling renovation rates across Europe and creating a culture of decarbonized, efficient buildings. Slovakia's approach prioritizes equity: while renovation targets apply to the entire building stock, the subsidy programme explicitly targets energy-poor households first, recognizing that vulnerable populations are most dependent on cheap heating and least able to afford efficiency improvements.

By funding deep renovations that reduce both energy consumption and household energy costs, the programme creates a measurable impact on disposable income for low-income families. The elimination of energy-certificate requirements in the 2026 call also reflects a pragmatic evolution: achieving rapid, mass uptake of renovations is prioritized over granular performance documentation, allowing more households to benefit within the programme's budget and timeline constraints.

What considerations should applicants keep in mind?

Applicants should verify current call details on obnovdom.sk, as programme rules, deadlines, and funding availability evolve across rounds. The 50% advance payment, while enabling immediate project start, creates an obligation to complete contracted work and return unused advance funds if the project is abandoned.

All work must be contractor-performed to professional standards; this is a requirement for subsidy eligibility and ensures quality and building-code compliance. Applicants should also budget for any eligible expenses beyond the subsidy (if total project cost exceeds €11,000), and consult with a qualified energy advisor when planning renovations to maximize efficiency and technical compliance. For comprehensive information, eligible applicants should contact regional offices or consult the official programme guidelines available on obnovdom.sk.