The éco-prêt à taux zéro is an interest-free loan of up to €30,000 to improve the energy efficiency of your property. The French Government has pledged to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse emissions and the eco loan concept supports this.
Eco loans are available from high street banks and are completely interest free to residents in France whose application complies with the requirements.
The duration of the Eco Loan is usually ten years but can be extended to 15 years if necessary – i.e. there is a lot of building work and therefore the top amount is borrowed. The amount you can borrow depends on the work to be undertaken and applies only to properties built before 1 January 1990.
Interest-free Eco Loans in France cover energy saving installations and renovations such as loft insulation, fitting double glazed windows and doors, solar panels, green heating systems, rain water harvest systems, sewage systems,
In order to gain an Eco Loan you will need to have a thermal survey conducted on your property and apply to your local energy efficiency office: Agence de l’Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l’Energie (ADEME). You can download a form (in French) from their website (below).
You must apply for a package of works (a bouquet de travaux), not a single element – the loan is not available for just one unit of renovation/conservation.
Once the form is completed you will need to apply to your bank for the loan. This will require you to arrange estimates (devis in French) for the building work from a registered builder – DIY projects are not in scope.
Once the loan is granted, the lender has a period of 2 years to complete the work and return to the bank to present the invoices and receipts.
Useful websites:
Agence de l’Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l’Energie
French Government Website gives clear guidelines and assistance
