National and local sustainability subsidies in the Netherlands (2026)

Sustainability subsidies and programs in the Netherlands in 2026

In recent years, the Dutch government and local municipalities have introduced a wide range of programs to make homes more energy efficient. These initiatives are designed to encourage homeowners and businesses to invest in sustainable technologies such as heat pumps, insulation and renewable energy systems.

By 2026 several subsidy schemes and financing options will still be available to support these investments. In this article we explain how the main national subsidy program works, what additional support municipalities offer and which financing solutions can help make sustainability investments more accessible.

The ISDE subsidy explained

The Investment Subsidy for Sustainable Energy and Energy Saving (ISDE) is one of the most important national schemes in the Netherlands for encouraging sustainable installations. This subsidy is managed by the Dutch government through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

The ISDE program supports investments in technologies such as:

  • Heat pumps
  • Solar thermal systems
  • Insulation measures
  • Connections to district heating networks

For heat pumps the subsidy can range from roughly €500 up to several thousand euros depending on the type of system, the heating capacity and the official device registration.

You can find more information about the subsidy on our page about the ISDE subsidy for heat pumps.

Important conditions for receiving the ISDE subsidy

To qualify for the subsidy several conditions must be met. While the rules may change slightly over time, the following general requirements usually apply:

  • The installation must be new and meet the technical requirements defined by RVO
  • The system must appear on the official device list
  • The installation must be carried out by a professional installer
  • The subsidy must be applied for within a specific time period after installation

Because regulations may change, it is always recommended to check the most recent conditions on the official RVO website.

Municipal sustainability subsidies

In addition to national subsidies many municipalities offer additional financial support to encourage homeowners to improve the energy performance of their homes. These local subsidies are often part of broader sustainability or energy transition programs.

Municipal subsidies may apply to measures such as:

  • Roof, wall or floor insulation
  • Heat pump installations
  • Hybrid heating systems
  • Energy advice or energy coaching programs

The exact subsidy amount and requirements vary depending on the municipality. Some local governments provide fixed subsidy amounts, while others reimburse a percentage of the total investment.

Examples of municipalities offering sustainability support include cities such as Hoorn, Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Leiden, where programs exist for insulation improvements and other energy-saving measures.

Finding local subsidies with the Energy Subsidy Guide

Because subsidy programs differ per municipality it can be difficult to find the right information. For this reason the Dutch Energy Subsidy Guide was created by Milieu Centraal and RVO.

This tool allows homeowners to quickly discover which subsidies are available in their area for measures such as:

  • heat pumps
  • home insulation
  • solar panels
  • renewable heating systems

By entering your postal code you receive an overview of all available national and local subsidy schemes.

Financing through the National Heat Fund

In addition to subsidies, financing options are available to help homeowners invest in sustainable improvements. One of the most important programs in the Netherlands is the National Heat Fund.

This fund offers loans with favorable conditions for homeowners who want to improve the energy performance of their property.

These loans can be used for investments such as:

  • heat pumps
  • insulation measures
  • solar thermal systems
  • energy efficient ventilation systems

Depending on the situation, interest rates can be relatively low and for some households even close to 0%.

Financing sustainability through a construction budget

When purchasing a home or carrying out major renovations, sustainability investments can often be financed through a mortgage construction budget.

This allows homeowners to include energy-saving measures such as insulation, solar panels or new heating systems as part of their mortgage financing.

By spreading the costs over a longer period the investment becomes easier to manage financially.

Combining subsidies and financing

In many situations different sustainability programs can be combined. For example, homeowners may:

  • receive an ISDE subsidy for a heat pump
  • receive municipal support for insulation measures
  • finance the remaining investment through the National Heat Fund

Combining these programs can significantly reduce the total cost of making a home more energy efficient.

Curious about the possibilities?

If you would like to learn more about sustainable heating solutions or energy storage systems you can also explore:

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