The landscape of energy efficiency support has changed significantly since last year. Some programs have ended. Others have been revamped. And there are new developments still on the way. It is essential to understand the current situation before making investment decisions.
What Has Ended
PAE+S, a long-standing program for small-scale residential energy efficiency projects, officially ended in 2024 with no new phases planned for 2026.
The Efficiency Voucher program has also ceased operations. The Environmental Fund has suspended the issuance of new vouchers, leaving many homeowners who were counting on this support to purchase equipment such as heat pumps or solar panels without a solution.
What happened to E-Lar
E-Lar was the most significant program of this phase. The second phase opened in December 2025 with a budget of 60.8 million euros, focusing on replacing gas-powered equipment with efficient electric alternatives—stoves, ovens, water heaters, and storage heaters.
Applications closed before the June deadline, presumably because the available funding had been exhausted—which demonstrates the high level of interest among the Portuguese in this type of support.
What’s Coming
In January 2026, a future program was announced to support the purchase of solar panels for self-consumption. The planned model is similar to E-Lar—a non-repayable voucher system. The opening date has not yet been confirmed.
What to do now?
Given this context, the decision to invest is less about waiting for subsidies and more about assessing the real impact on your energy bill and home comfort.
Solar energy systems and heat pumps offer attractive returns on investment even without direct subsidies—especially when compared to current electricity prices in Portugal. The LEFE team can help you calculate the expected return for your specific situation, with no obligation.
