The Ministry of Environment and Energy, through the Climate Agency, launched the second phase of the E-LAR Program, valued at 60.8 million euros, with applications open from Thursday, December 11.
The date for the second phase of the program, aimed at improving energy efficiency in buildings, had already been announced by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, during a parliamentary hearing on November 4.
Last week, in a statement, the Ministry of Environment highlighted that the new phase of the E-LAR program has 60.8 million euros available, more than double the amount of the first edition.
The government also notes that there is a new eligible expense in the tender for beneficiaries of the social electricity tariff, which includes the removal of equipment and sealing of gas piping.
Beneficiaries can apply for the second phase of the E-LAR program starting next week on December 11, confirmed an official source from the Ministry of Environment to Notícias ao Minuto.
Beatriz Vasconcelos | 08:41 – 02/12/2025
What is the E-LAR Program?
The E-LAR program finances the replacement of gas equipment with more efficient electrical solutions, consolidating the national commitment to energy efficiency, electrification of domestic consumption, and the protection of vulnerable families, according to a statement.
According to the new notice published, people can apply starting today, and qualified suppliers have already shown interest in remaining in the E-LAR Program.
Those who did not express such interest have left the network of suppliers, the statement says.
A second phase of applications for the E-LAR program is coming, offering support in the form of vouchers for appliance exchange. Interested parties can submit their applications starting December 2.
Notícias ao Minuto | 08:32 – 13/11/2025
Energy Efficiency Rules Remain
In the statement, the Ministry reaffirms what the minister had previously stated: the energy efficiency rules remain unchanged.
The new equipment must comply with energy class A or higher, with exceptions already outlined – electric plates without a minimum class and water heaters above 30 liters with class B or higher.
In the statement, Maria da Graça Carvalho states that the new phase of E-LAR represents “an even stronger commitment to the thermal comfort of families, the electrification of consumption, and the reduction of energy inequalities.”
The Ministry also emphasizes that the launch of the second phase occurs just days after the European Commission praised Portugal for effectively combating energy poverty.
In the previous call, in October, the program received 40,000 applications in just six days, quickly exhausting the available amount of 30 million euros.
The Environmental Fund’s page explains that the goal of E-LAR is to support families in purchasing efficient equipment and electrifying energy consumption.
It serves, for example, to support the replacement of gas-consuming equipment, such as stoves, ovens, and water heaters, with electric equipment like cooktops, stoves, or water heaters.
