Glossary
Éco-PTZ: France's zero-interest green renovation loan
Quick definition
The Éco-PTZ (éco-prêt à taux zéro) is a zero-interest loan available to homeowners in France for energy-efficiency renovation work. The state compensates the bank for the missing interest, so you pay back only what you borrow. There are no income conditions: any owner-occupier or landlord with a property built before 1990 can apply. The loan is issued by partner banks, not directly by the government, and can be combined with MaPrimeRenov' grants. Current terms and eligible banks are listed at service-public.fr.
Who is eligible for an Éco-PTZ?
The eligibility rules focus on the property rather than the borrower's income:
- Property type: the property must be a residential building used as a principal residence (résidence principale). Renovation work on a rental property also qualifies, as long as it becomes or remains a principal residence for the tenant within six months of work completion.
- Property age: the building must have been completed at least two years before the date the works begin. There is no requirement for the property to have been built before any specific year.
- No income limit: unlike MaPrimeRenov', the Éco-PTZ has no income ceiling. High earners who receive a reduced MaPrimeRenov' rate can still use the Éco-PTZ for the remaining cost.
- Ownership: you must be the owner, either as an occupant or a landlord. Tenants cannot apply directly.
What work qualifies for an Éco-PTZ?
The loan covers a defined list of renovation categories. The main ones relevant to home energy work on the Cote d'Azur:
- Heat pump installation: air-to-water and ground-source heat pumps replacing a fossil fuel boiler qualify. Air-to-air units used purely for heating can also qualify depending on the technical specification.
- Insulation: roof insulation, wall insulation (interior or exterior), and floor insulation.
- Solar thermal water heating: solar collectors for domestic hot water production.
- Mechanical ventilation (VMC): installation of a VMC system as part of a broader renovation package.
- Window and door replacement: replacing single glazing with high-performance double or triple glazing, when combined with at least one other eligible measure.
- Comprehensive renovation (bouquet de travaux): a combination of at least two eligible measures in the same project. The bouquet route unlocks the higher loan ceilings.
Note that standard split AC systems for cooling only, solar PV panels for electricity production, and EV charging installations are not covered by the Éco-PTZ. The scheme is specifically for thermal efficiency improvements.
How much can you borrow, and for how long?
The maximum loan amount depends on how many categories of work are included in the project:
- Single eligible measure: up to 15,000 EUR (or 7,000 EUR if the only work is window replacement)
- Two eligible measures: up to 25,000 EUR
- Three or more eligible measures: up to 30,000 EUR
- Comprehensive renovation (rénovation globale) or MaPrimeRenov'-eligible works: up to 50,000 EUR
The maximum repayment period is 20 years. Because the interest rate is zero, a 15,000 EUR loan repaid over 10 years costs exactly 15,000 EUR, with no additional interest charge. The bank earns nothing on the loan itself; the state pays a subsidy to the bank to compensate.
Individual banks may set lower ceilings or stricter eligibility criteria than the legal maximum, so it is worth comparing offers from two or three partner banks before applying.
Do you need an RGE contractor to use an Éco-PTZ?
Yes. For most eligible work categories, the contractor must hold RGE certification (Reconnu Garant de l'Environnement). This is the same requirement that applies to MaPrimeRenov'. The bank will ask for the contractor's RGE details when you submit the loan application, and will not issue the loan without them.
The RGE requirement applies to the specific trade category: a heat pump installer must hold RGE in the heating/heat pump category, not just in another area. Confirm the contractor's RGE status before signing a devis for work that will be financed through an Éco-PTZ.
Can you combine an Éco-PTZ with MaPrimeRenov'?
Yes, and this is one of the more useful combinations available to homeowners undertaking significant energy renovation. The two schemes are designed to work together:
- MaPrimeRenov' provides a grant that reduces the upfront cost of eligible work. The grant is paid after the work is completed and invoiced.
- The Éco-PTZ covers the cost you pay initially, before the grant arrives, and any portion not covered by the grant.
In practice, you use the Éco-PTZ to fund the work, receive the MaPrimeRenov' grant afterward, and use it to pay down the loan early. Since there is no interest, there is no penalty for early repayment. This approach allows homeowners to carry out significant work without large upfront cash requirements.
The bank will take the expected MaPrimeRenov' grant into account when assessing the loan. You will need to provide documentation of the grant application at the time of the loan submission.
How do you apply for an Éco-PTZ?
The application is made directly to a partner bank, not through the government. The main partner networks include Banque Populaire, Caisse d'Epargne, Credit Agricole, Societe Generale, BNP Paribas, and others. You do not need to be an existing customer, though some banks give preference to account holders.
The application process requires:
- Proof of ownership and property details (title deed, tax reference)
- A devis from an RGE-certified contractor, specifying the work and the contractor's RGE certificate number
- For comprehensive renovations, an energy audit (audit energetique) report
- Standard bank credit documentation (income proof, identity documents)
The bank issues a loan offer once all documents are in order. Work cannot begin until you have formally accepted the loan offer and the statutory 10-day reflection period has elapsed. This is worth building into your project timeline, particularly if you are coordinating the Éco-PTZ with a MaPrimeRenov' application.