More than 13,000 families have already requested support to replace appliances under the E-Lar program, which provides aid for purchasing more efficient equipment. What are the next steps? Once an application is submitted, there are two possible outcomes: it is either deemed valid or invalid.
In line with the E-Lar rules:
- If the application is deemed ineligible, the applicant will be notified by email with the justification and will have the opportunity to rectify the issues noted during a prior hearing.
- If deemed eligible, the applicant is notified by email and asked to accept the Terms of Acceptance on the platform within a maximum of five business days.
Only after signing the Terms of Acceptance does the applicant receive an E-Lar voucher, which can be used in the program’s supplier network to exchange the specified appliances.
What is the E-Lar voucher and how can it be used?
Practically speaking, the voucher is an “‘electronic coupon’ allowing the beneficiary to access eligible electrical equipment and related services through the network of qualified suppliers in the E-Lar Program“.
The list of qualified suppliers is already posted on the Portal of the Environmental Fund, available here.
It should be noted that the voucher can only be used once and has a 60-day activation period.
The regulations also stipulate that “acceptance of the Terms of Acceptance implies a commitment to comply with the provisions of the notice and applicable legislation, and non-compliance may lead to the return of equipment and authorization for on-site installation verification”.
According to the Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection (DECO), all legal adults can apply, divided into three groups. Learn about them here and revisit the rules.
Notícias ao Minuto | 08:30 – 17/09/2025
The objectives of the E-Lar program
The Environmental Fund’s website states that the “general objective of the E-Lar Program is to improve the thermal comfort of homes and support families in acquiring efficient equipment and electrifying energy consumption, contributing to decarbonization and the collection and recycling of gas equipment”.
Additionally, specific objectives include:
- Strengthening the fight against energy poverty and promoting thermal comfort in homes.
Promoting energy efficiency by encouraging the replacement of old equipment with new, lower-consumption equipment. - Accelerating the electrification of energy consumption and decarbonization by supporting the replacement of gas-consuming equipment (stoves, ovens, and water heaters) with electrical equipment (cooktops, stoves, or water heaters).
- Contributing to the collection and recycling of old equipment, enhancing performance in this specific waste stream within a circular economy framework.
The E-Lar program, which offers support in the form of a voucher for exchanging gas appliances for electrical equipment, is about to begin. However, the voucher can be “used only once”.
Beatriz Vasconcelos | 09:16 – 26/09/2025
