"Exoikonomo" (Εξοικονομώ, meaning "I save") is Greece's largest state subsidy programme for the energy renovation of homes — and replacing old windows and doors is consistently its most popular and cost-effective intervention. If you own a property in Rethymno or anywhere in Crete with ageing frames, this guide explains what the 2026 round is expected to cover, which technical specifications apply, and what you can do now to be ready when the platform opens.
When does Exoikonomo 2026 open?
Based on official announcements to date, the new round is expected to open in the second half of 2026, funded by the EU Social Climate Fund with a budget in the region of €1.2 billion. The exact date will be announced by the Ministry of Environment and Energy. One important detail: applications are ranked by a points system, not first-come-first-served — you don't need to race the clock, but you do need a complete, well-prepared file.
Key Takeaway
Only thermal-break aluminium systems with energy glazing are eligible.
How much is the subsidy?
Subsidy rates vary with household income criteria and are expected to reach up to 80% for the lowest income brackets. For a typical window replacement project on a Cretan home, that translates into thousands of euros off the initial investment — on top of a permanent 30–50% reduction in heating and cooling costs.
Which windows qualify (and which don't)
This is the point most owners miss:
- Only thermal-break aluminium systems are eligible — profiles with a polyamide insulator that interrupts heat transfer between the inner and outer aluminium shells.
- Energy glazing is required: at least double glazing with a low-emissivity (low-e) coating.
- The window must achieve a specified thermal transmittance value (in recent rounds, U ≤ 1.8 W/m²K).
- Shading systems (roller shutters, exterior shutters) and insect screens are also eligible as complementary costs.
The Alumil SMARTIA and SUPREME systems we fabricate and install comfortably exceed these specifications — with polyamides up to 38mm we achieve Uw values as low as 0.9 W/m²K, roughly twice the performance the programme's minimum requires.
Who is eligible — a note for foreign owners
Eligibility applies to owners of a primary residence in Greece (full ownership or usufruct), and recent rounds also allow long-term tenants with the owner's consent. The upgrade must be documented with an Energy Performance Certificate (ΠΕΑ) before and after the works. If your Cretan property is a holiday home, it will generally not qualify — but the energy, comfort and property-value arguments for thermal-break aluminium remain just as strong, and we frequently deliver such projects for international owners outside the subsidy framework.
Four preparation steps — start now
- Energy inspection: A certified energy inspector issues the initial Energy Performance Certificate documenting the current state.
- Paperwork: Property title data, tax documents (E9, income statement), co-owner consents where applicable.
- A technical quotation with full specifications: The window quote must explicitly state the profile series, glazing build-up, U-value, and removal/installation works. Vague quotes cause problems at the payout stage.
- A fabricator experienced with subsidised projects: Correct documentation (system certificates, CE declarations of performance) matters as much as the installation itself.
Why Crete has an extra reason for energy windows
In the Cretan climate the real enemy isn't winter — it's the summer heatwave. Old cold-series frames act like radiators in July, conducting heat straight indoors and inflating air-conditioning bills. And in coastal areas like Rethymno, salt air corrodes any frame without the proper coating treatment — which is why all our fabrications carry Seaside Class certification.
