1. BMK Renovation Bonus and Raus aus Öl bonus (federal)
The federal stack for heating-system replacement in Austria consists of two central programmes: the BMK Renovation Bonus (Sanierungsbonus) as base subsidy and the Raus aus Öl bonus (Out of Oil and Gas, Austrian phaseout programme) as a targeted top-up for replacing oil and gas heating systems. Both are administered by Kommunalkredit Public Consulting (KPC, the Austrian state grant agency) on behalf of the federal Ministry for Climate Action (BMK); both run through the central platform umweltfoerderung.at.
BMK Renovation Bonus 2026: up to 23,000 euros
The Renovation Bonus is the base subsidy for any heating renovation with a renewable target system. Eligible systems are heat pumps (air-water, brine-water, water-water), pellet heating, wood-chip plants, solar thermal, and connection to a district heating network operated predominantly with renewables. The maximum subsidy in 2026 is 23,000 euros per residential unit, depending on the chosen system and verified efficiency. In multi-storey residential buildings, the flat rate per unit may be lower; in those cases, the state-level housing programme kicks in additionally.
Figures as maximum flat rates 2026 per BMK information. Actual subsidy depends on application details, plant size and verified efficiency.
Raus aus Öl bonus: up to 11,000 euros additional
The Raus aus Öl bonus launched in 2024 as a successor programme and targets households that are swapping their oil or gas heating system for a renewable one. The maximum top-up sits at 11,000 euros per residential unit and is combinable with the Renovation Bonus. Practically: you apply for both through a single application, and KPC bundles them in the official decision. The Raus aus Öl bonus runs through the end of 2027 for now and is expected to be extended, although that is not yet politically locked in. As of May 2026, the conditions are stable; a subsidy is not guaranteed and depends on the available budget. In high-application phases, applications are processed on a first-come-first-served basis.
Combination with related glossary topics
Heating replacement in Austria is economically especially attractive because Austria has imposed a CO2 levy on fossil fuels since 2022. As of 2026, the surcharge sits at 55 euros per tonne of CO2 (annual BMK escalation), which corresponds to roughly 14 to 15 cents extra per litre of heating oil. With a 3,000-litre annual consumption, that's around 440 euros of CO2 burden in 2026 alone, fully avoided with a heat pump. The underlying heating oil price additionally hangs on the international Brent market, which fluctuates independently of political decisions.
2. 9 state housing subsidies overview
In addition to the federal programmes, all 9 federal states have their own housing subsidies that can be used for heating replacement on top. The amounts vary widely because each state sets its own priorities. The following overview shows the typical maximum flat rates per residential unit, as of May 2026. Verify the current values before applying on the respective state website; the subsidy levels are usually updated at least once per year.
| Federal state | Max. heat-pump subsidy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna | up to 8,000 € | Plus renovation top-up on thermal upgrades |
| Lower Austria | up to 10,000 € | Highest standalone bonus in DACH, combinable with federal |
| Upper Austria | up to 7,500 € | Energy-Saving Association (ESV) as contact |
| Styria | up to 6,500 € | Plus climate bonus 1,000 € on oil swap |
| Tyrol | up to 8,500 € | Alpine bonus for high-altitude locations |
| Vorarlberg | up to 9,000 € | Income-dependent tiers |
| Salzburg | up to 7,000 € | Plus voucher for energy consultant |
| Carinthia | up to 5,500 € | Special programmes for renovation hotspots |
| Burgenland | up to 6,000 € | Plus photovoltaic coupling possible |
Figures as maximum flat rates, rounded, as of May 2026. Actual subsidy depends on application, income, plant size and available state budget. Please verify on the state website before applying.
Stacking possibilities: up to 75 percent combined
The central question for applicants: how high can the combined subsidy stack go? Practically, federal (Renovation Bonus plus Raus aus Öl) and state can be combined, but with a cap. The maximum total subsidy may not exceed 50 to 75 percent of the total plant costs in most federal states. Anyone eligible for Sauber Heizen für Alle can go beyond that to 100 percent, but that is income-dependent and not the regular case.
A concrete example: an air-water heat pump for a typical single-family home costs 25,000 to 32,000 euros including installation. With the federal stack (Renovation Bonus 18,000 euros plus Raus aus Öl 8,000 euros = 26,000 euros) and the state-level housing subsidy in Lower Austria (10,000 euros), arithmetically even over-coverage would be possible. In practice, the 50-to-75 percent cap applies, so the actual net investment burden for the household lands at around 8,000 to 12,000 euros. That's a significant lever compared with Germany (a comparable stack there usually delivers 30 to 45 percent subsidy) and even more so against countries without stacking logic.
What does the heating swap net cost you?
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Calculate in 60 seconds3. Sauber Heizen für Alle (low-income households)
Sauber Heizen für Alle (Clean Heating for All) is the social programme for heating replacement in Austria. It targets low-income households that could otherwise not afford a swap. Unlike the Renovation Bonus, which grants a percentage subsidy, Sauber Heizen für Alle can cover up to 100 percent of heating replacement costs. The programme is administered by Kommunalkredit Public Consulting (KPC, Austrian state grant agency), like the other federal programmes.
Income thresholds
The income thresholds follow the equalisation-supplement guideline of Austria's pension insurance. As of May 2026, the limits sit at around 1,155 euros gross monthly income for individuals and roughly 1,825 euros for married couples or registered partnerships. For each dependent child, the limit increases by about 180 euros. These values are adjusted annually; the exact amounts are on umweltfoerderung.at. Anyone just over the threshold should still check whether, taking into account work-related expenses or extraordinary burdens, eligibility might apply.
Subsidy level and requirements
With full eligibility, up to 100 percent of plant costs can be funded, but with a cap per residential unit (as of May 2026 around 30,000 euros). The requirements are: primary residence in Austria, ownership or permanent right of use for the residential unit being renovated, swap of a fossil heating system (oil, gas, coal) for a renewable one (heat pump, pellets, wood chips, district heating from renewables), income proof over the last 12 months. The rental situation also matters; the programme primarily addresses owners or owner-equivalent rights of use.
4. Application path: 5 steps from energy consultant to payout
The application path for Renovation Bonus, Raus aus Öl bonus and Sauber Heizen für Alle is identical because all programmes are administered by KPC. The process typically takes 3 to 6 months from the first energy-consultant appointment to payout after implementation; in summer rather shorter (lower application volume), in autumn rather longer.
- Energy-consultant appointment (klimaaktiv consultant or equivalent) Before applying, a qualified energy consultation must take place. The klimaaktiv energy consultation is the standard variant and is often itself subsidised (consultation vouchers up to 200 euros per appointment). The consultant produces an inventory of the existing heating system, checks the hydraulics and supply temperatures, and recommends the appropriate renewable system.
- Obtain quotes from qualified specialist contractors At least two quotes from registered specialist contractors are mandatory. The contractors must hold the necessary licences (heating construction, plumbing, and where applicable refrigeration/heat-pump technology). Make sure the contractors have experience with the relevant technology; a heat pump requires a different sizing approach than a pellet plant.
- Submit the application to KPC (umweltfoerderung.at) The application is submitted online via umweltfoerderung.at. You attach the energy-consultant report, at least two quotes, proof of ownership, and (for Sauber Heizen für Alle) income proof. The application must be submitted before implementation; there is no retroactive funding.
- Approval decision and implementation After review, you receive an approval decision with subsidy amount and conditions. Only then can implementation begin. The implementation deadline is typically 12 months, meaning the plant must be commissioned within one year of approval. In case of delays, an extension can be requested.
- Final invoice and payout After commissioning, you submit the final invoice with all original receipts, commissioning protocols and specialist-contractor confirmations. Payout typically occurs 4 to 8 weeks after complete final invoicing. For a heat pump, the hydraulic balancing (mandatory) must also be documented.
Realistic timeline bottom line: plan 6 to 9 months from the first energy-consultant appointment to payout. The payout occurs retroactively, not in advance, meaning you must finance the plant fully in the meantime. Many homeowners use a bridge loan or modernisation financing through their house bank, which is feasible at current interest rates (as of May 2026).
5. Common mistakes that lead to rejection
A not insignificant share of applications is rejected or must be revised. The most common pitfalls are usually formal in nature, not technical. The following points are the typical stumbling blocks where applications fail or get delayed.
- Application submitted only after implementation: The classic. Anyone who has the plant installed out of enthusiasm and then tries to apply for the subsidy gets nothing. The application must be in place before implementation starts.
- No qualified energy consultant involved: Without klimaaktiv consultation or equivalent proof, the application is not accepted. The consultant must be registered and deliver a documented report.
- Specialist contractor without required licence: Heat-pump installations often require a refrigeration/heat-pump technology licence. A normal heating installer without this capability can install pellets but not a heat pump. Check this upfront.
- Tenancy without permanent right of use: Tenants without long-term tenancy rights typically cannot apply themselves. Here the owner must apply, which is often administratively difficult.
- Wrong plant size or efficiency below minimum: A heat pump must achieve a certain annual performance factor (typically 3.5 or higher), otherwise the subsidy is reduced or cancelled. The plant size must also match the building; an oversized plant is not fully eligible.
- Hydraulic balancing not performed: For heat pumps, hydraulic balancing is mandatory for the full subsidy. If skipped or not documented, the payout can be reduced.
A bridge to impact calculation: anyone who wants to know how investment and CO2 burden affect the household budget together can supplement that on the mobility side with the Commuter Allowance 2026 calculator and check additional social programmes in the Energy Cost Compensation entry. The complete picture of all Austrian aids is on the Austria hub; a conceptual framing on the pass-through effect in energy-price shocks lives in the glossary.
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