Financial assistance for thermal insulation in Switzerland: roofs, walls, and floors

Why insulate your home in Switzerland?

A poorly insulated home loses on average:

• 25 to 30% of its heat through the roof,
• 20 to 25% through the walls,
• 10 to 15% through the floors and windows.

These thermal losses result in excess energy consumption and higher heating bills.
A high-performance insulation therefore allows:

• To sustainably reduce energy costs,
• To improve thermal and acoustic comfort,
• To increase the property value,
• To decrease the carbon footprint of the home.

The Swiss authorities actively support this type of renovation through direct subsidies or tax deductions.

Main aids available for thermal insulation

Subsidies for insulation are governed by the Building Program and supplemented by cantonal and municipal aids.
They apply to both individual houses and collective buildings.

1. The Building Program (Confederation + Cantons)

The Building Program is the main aid for insulation work in Switzerland.
This federal scheme, funded by the CO₂ tax, is implemented by each canton according to its own criteria.

Eligible works:

• Roof insulation (attics, flat roofs, slopes),
• Insulation of exterior or interior walls,
• Insulation of floors or ground floors,
• Insulation of basement or garage ceilings.

Indicative amounts:

• Between 30 and 50 CHF/m² of insulated element, depending on the canton and the performance achieved.
• A complete renovation (facade + roof + floor) can thus qualify for several thousand francs in subsidies.

Main conditions:

• The work must be completed before the heating system is replaced (priority to insulation).
• The building must be over 10 years old.
• The materials must meet the minimum U-values set by the canton (e.g.: U ≤ 0.20 W/m²K for the roof).
• The application must be submitted before the start of the work.

Required documents:

• Energy report (CECB or CECB+),
• Detailed quotes and technical plans,
• Certificate from a certified professional.

2. Cantonal subsidies for insulation

Each canton in Switzerland complements the Building Program with its own premiums and conditions.

Canton of Vaud (VD)

• Premium of 30 to 50 CHF/m² for the insulation of roofs, walls, and floors.
• Bonus for "complete renovation" if several areas are addressed simultaneously.
• Possible combination with federal aids and tax deductions.

Canton of Geneva (GE)

• Supplementary aid of 40 CHF/m² for thermal insulation work.
• Obligation to comply with cantonal energy standards (OCEN).
• File to be submitted before the work via the cantonal platform.

Canton of Fribourg (FR)

• Subsidies up to 45 CHF/m² for high-performance thermal insulation.
• Increased amount for comprehensive renovations and collective buildings.
• Requirement for a CECB+ and a prior energy assessment.

Canton of Valais (VS)

• Support between 30 and 50 CHF/m² depending on the type of insulation (walls, roof, floors).
• Bonus for “complete renovation” in case of improvement in several areas (up to 10,000 CHF).

Canton of Neuchâtel (NE)

• Support of 35 to 45 CHF/m² for insulated surfaces.
• Subsidy conditioned on the compliance of materials and quality of execution.

3. Additional municipal aids

Several municipalities offer local bonuses to support energy efficiency.

Examples:

• City of Lausanne: bonus for insulated facades respecting built heritage.
• City of Fribourg: financial participation for renovated historic buildings.
• City of Neuchâtel: support for insulated and green roofs.

Municipal aids can represent between 10 and 20% additional to the total cost, depending on the municipality.

4. Tax deductions

Expenses related to thermal insulation can also be deducted from taxes in many cantons.

General conditions:

• Work must improve the energy performance of the building.
• It must be carried out by a recognized company.
• Invoices and technical certificates must be kept.

The deduction rate depends on the canton, but it can reach 20 to 30% of the amount invested.

Technical eligibility criteria

Insulation aids are not limited to the nature of the work: they also rely on specific technical requirements.

Examples of maximum allowed U-values:

Failure to comply with these values generally results in refusal of the subsidy.

Concrete example of financing

Case study: renovation of a house in Lausanne

• Roof area: 120 m²
• High-performance insulation: U = 0.18 W/m²K
• Total cost of work: 18,000 CHF
• Cantonal subsidy: 40 CHF/m² → 4,800 CHF
• Additional municipal bonus: 1,500 CHF
• Estimated tax deduction: 3,000 CHF

Total savings: nearly 9,300 CHF, which is more than 50% of the initial cost.

Steps to obtain insulation aid

1. Energy assessment (CECB+)
   A certified expert conducts a building diagnosis and identifies weaknesses.
   This report is often required to obtain subsidies.
2. Choice of work and materials
    Define the areas to be insulated, compliant materials (mineral wool, wood fiber, PIR foam, etc.), and establish quotes.
3. Submission of the file before work
   The application must be submitted via the cantonal platform, accompanied by supporting documents.
4. Validation by the competent authorities
   After approval, you receive written authorization.
   Work can then begin.
5. Control and payment of the subsidy
   Once the work is completed, a check may be carried out.
   Payment is made upon presentation of final invoices and certificates.

Cumulative aid and overall financing

One of the major strengths of Swiss energy policy is the possibility to combine several schemes:

• Buildings Program (Confederation + Canton),
• Additional cantonal subsidies,
• Municipal aid,
• Tax deductions,
• Eco-loans from banks (preferential rates).

With good planning, it is possible to obtain between 30 and 50% of the total cost of the work in direct aid and tax relief.

Support from Avenir Renovations Switzerland

Avenir Renovations Switzerland offers a comprehensive management of your insulation project:

• Conducting the CECB+ energy diagnosis,
• Selecting materials that meet efficiency standards,
• Preparing and submitting subsidy applications,
• Coordinating craftsmen and monitoring the site,
• Managing certificates and documents for obtaining aid.

Our local experts know the specifics of each canton and municipality. They assist you in maximizing the amount of subsidies and ensuring the technical compliance of your work.

Benefit from aid for your thermal insulation work in Switzerland

Thermal insulation is a sustainable investment, both economical and ecological.
Thanks to the numerous financial aids available in Switzerland, homeowners can significantly reduce the cost of their renovations while enhancing their property value.

By turning to Avenir Renovations Switzerland, you benefit from tailored support to:

• identify all available subsidies,
• optimize your renovation budget,
• and ensure a result that meets Swiss energy standards.

Areas of intervention: Geneva, Vaud, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Valais, Jura.
Request your free study now to find out the amount of aid you are entitled to for the insulation of your home.