MaPrimeRenov' explained: what it is, who qualifies and how to claim

If you own a property in France and are thinking about a heat pump, better insulation, or a new ventilation system, MaPrimeRenov' is the grant you will hear about most. It's the French government's main subsidy for energy-efficiency renovation, and it's available to anyone who owns property in France, regardless of nationality. For many homeowners, it covers a meaningful portion of the cost of work that would happen anyway.

This guide explains how it works, who gets what, and what you need to do to access it. The rules change from time to time, so for current figures always check the official site at maprimerenov.gouv.fr.

What is MaPrimeRenov'?

MaPrimeRenov' is a state grant for residential energy renovation. It replaced the former CITE tax credit (Credit d'Impot pour la Transition Energetique) and has been available since January 2020. Unlike a tax credit, which reduces your tax bill the following year, MaPrimeRenov' is paid directly to your bank account after the work is completed. You don't need to be a French taxpayer to receive it.

The scheme is administered by ANAH, the Agence Nationale de l'Habitat. Applications are made through their online platform at maprimerenov.gouv.fr. The grant is funded through France's energy transition budget and has been substantially expanded in recent years.

Who qualifies?

The basic conditions are:

• You own the property (as an individual owner, not through a company)
• The property is in France
• The property is at least 15 years old at the time of application
• The property is used as a residence (primary or secondary)

Nationality is not a condition. British, American, German, and other non-French owners are eligible on the same terms as French nationals. Non-residents applying for a secondary home can apply, though the amounts available may differ from those for primary residences.

Landlords can also apply for rental properties, subject to additional conditions around the property's energy performance and the tenancy terms.

The four income bands

The amount of grant you receive depends on your household income. The scheme divides applicants into four bands:

• Tres modeste (Bleu): lowest income, highest grant rate
• Modeste (Jaune): modest income, high grant rate
• Intermediaire (Violet): middle income, lower grant rate
• Superieur (Rose): higher income, smallest grants

The income thresholds are set annually and depend on household size and whether the property is in Ile-de-France or the rest of metropolitan France. The Cote d'Azur falls under the "rest of France" thresholds. Figures change each year, so check the current thresholds on the ANAH website or use the simulator at maprimerenov.gouv.fr before assuming which band you fall into.

The higher your income, the smaller the grant. Bleu band households receive the largest contributions; Rose band households receive the smallest, though they can still be meaningful. The percentages shift with each annual revision, so the simulator is the reliable source for your current situation rather than any figure in this guide.

What work qualifies?

Not all energy-related work qualifies. The scheme has a defined list:

• Heat pumps: air-source (air-air and air-eau), ground-source
• Insulation: roof/attic, external walls, floor/crawl space
• Solar thermal water heating (chauffe-eau solaire)
• VMC double flux (heat-recovery mechanical ventilation)
• Thermostats and heating controls (in some circumstances)
• Connection to a district heating network

Photovoltaic solar panels (the kind that generate electricity) do not qualify for MaPrimeRenov'. Solar water heaters do. This distinction is consistent, and worth knowing before you get quotes: if a contractor tells you MaPrimeRenov' applies to PV panels, they are wrong.

Work must be carried out on the property's main systems. Cosmetic improvements, window replacements alone, and most standard maintenance work are not eligible.

The RGE contractor requirement

To access MaPrimeRenov', you must use a contractor holding the relevant RGE certification for the type of work. RGE stands for Reconnu Garant de l'Environnement. Different trades require different RGE qualifications: QualiPAC for heat pumps, Qualibat for insulation, and so on.

The specific RGE qualification must match the work. A contractor who holds QualiPAC for heat pumps cannot use that to certify an insulation project. When you receive a devis, check that the contractor's RGE number is on the document and that the qualification matches the work being quoted.

Verify RGE status directly on qualirenovation.fr. Don't rely on what's printed on the contractor's letterhead or what they tell you verbally. Certifications lapse, and it's your subsidy application that will be rejected if the contractor turns out not to be currently certified.

How to apply: the process step by step

The most important point to understand: the application must be submitted and approved before work starts. You cannot claim retrospectively for work that is already done.

The process runs as follows:

1. Get a devis from an RGE-certified contractor
2. Create an account at maprimerenov.gouv.fr (you'll need a France Connect login or a direct account)
3. Submit the application, uploading the devis and providing your household income details
4. Receive the decision (usually within a few weeks; complex applications take longer)
5. Have the work done
6. Receive the final invoice from the contractor
7. Upload the invoice to the platform
8. Receive payment to your bank account

Many contractors are familiar with this process and will help you through it, particularly if they work regularly with English-speaking clients. That said, the application platform itself is in French. If you're not confident reading administrative French, it's worth getting help with the initial registration and submission.

How much can you get?

The specific amounts change annually, so rather than list figures that may be outdated, the most reliable approach is to check the simulator on maprimerenov.gouv.fr. You enter your household income, postcode, and the type of work, and it shows the current grant level.

The eligible cost is capped at a maximum per measure, and the grant percentage varies by income band and work type. For Bleu and Jaune band households, the combined effect of MaPrimeRenov' and CEE can reduce the net cost very substantially. For current figures specific to your situation, the simulator at maprimerenov.gouv.fr is the most reliable source.

MaPrimeRenov' Parcours accompagne

Standard MaPrimeRenov' covers individual measures carried out separately. Parcours accompagne is a different track for more ambitious whole-house renovation projects that combine several measures and target a significant improvement in the property's energy class (at least two DPE bands).

Under Parcours accompagne, a Mon Accompagnateur Renov' (MAR), an approved renovation advisor, must be appointed to coordinate the project. This adds an administrative layer, but it also unlocks higher grant rates and is the route to the largest available subsidies. For English speakers managing a complex project in France, the MAR can be genuinely useful as a bilingual coordinator, particularly when working with multiple contractors.

MaPrimeRenov' on the Cote d'Azur

Heat pumps and reversible air-conditioning units are the most frequently claimed items in this region. The mild winters mean that air-source heat pumps perform well here, and the combination of heating and cooling in one unit is practically universal in new installations.

Second-home owners from the UK, Germany, and the US who own property in the region can apply. The process is the same; the amounts available for secondary residences may differ from primary residence applications. If the property is rented out, additional conditions apply around tenant notification and energy performance targets.

Worth knowing: the Cote d'Azur has a large population of English-speaking contractors and bilingual project managers familiar with the grant process. Asking a contractor specifically about their experience with MaPrimeRenov' applications is a reasonable due diligence question.

Next steps

If you're considering energy renovation work and want to understand what would be available for your specific situation, the quickest starting point is the official simulator. For questions about local contractors or the application process, get in touch.

Related terms in the glossary

• MaPrimeRenov': quick-reference glossary entry
• RGE certification: the contractor qualification you need to check
• CEE: the separate subsidy that can be combined with MaPrimeRenov'
• Devis: the quote you'll need before applying
• PAC (heat pump): the most common item claimed in this region