If you are a first-time buyer who has recently purchased a second-hand home, 2026 is the ideal time to retrofit. A new enhanced grant is now available exclusively for first-time buyers on top of the existing SEAI grant scheme, and with Retrofit Energy Ireland (REIL) as your One Stop Shop, you can combine multiple upgrades into a single, fully managed project.
First-Time Buyers Now Qualify for Enhanced Attic Insulation Grants
From 7 April 2026, first-time buyers can access uplifted attic insulation grant amounts through the OSS Works application portal. These enhanced amounts are available under the First-Time Buyers (FTB) ownership type and are higher than the standard SEAI rates:
| Dwelling Type | Standard Grant | Enhanced FTB Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment | €1,100 | €1,400 |
| Mid Terrace | €1,400 | €1,800 |
| End of Terrace / Semi-Detached | €1,500 | €1,900 |
| Detached | €2,000 | €2,500 |
This uplift of up to €500 makes attic insulation a smart and affordable first step, but it works best as part of a broader retrofit plan.
Why First-Time Buyers Should Retrofit, Not Just Insulate
As a One Stop Shop provider, REIL does not carry out single measures in isolation. That’s because a whole-home approach delivers far better results, lower energy bills, a higher BER rating, and greater comfort year-round. Attic insulation is an excellent starting point, but combining it with other upgrades means the measures work together rather than against each other.
A full retrofit through REIL typically includes a tailored mix of measures chosen for your specific property. The good news is that SEAI grants are available across the full range of upgrades, not just attic insulation.
Full SEAI Grant Amounts Available to All Homeowners (2026)
The following grants are available to all eligible homeowners through the SEAI One Stop Shop scheme. Figures are accurate as of 13 February 2026.
| Measure | Detached | Semi-D / End of Terrace | Mid Terrace | Apartment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Pump System | €6,500 | €6,500 | €4,500 | €4,500 |
| Central Heating System for Heat Pump | €2,000 | €2,000 | €1,000 | €1,000 |
| Renewable Heat Bonus | €4,000 | €4,000 | €4,000 | €4,000 |
| Heat Pumps Air to Air | €3,500 | €3,500 | €3,500 | €3,500 |
| Heating Controls | €700 | €700 | €700 | €700 |
| Attic Insulation | €2,000 | €1,500 | €1,400 | €1,100 |
| Cavity Wall Insulation | €1,800 | €1,300 | €850 | €700 |
| External Wall Insulation | €8,000 | €6,000 | €3,500 | €3,000 |
| Internal Wall Insulation | €4,500 | €3,500 | €2,000 | €1,500 |
| Rafter Insulation | €3,000 | €3,000 | €2,000 | €1,500 |
| Solar PV | Up to €1,800 | Up to €1,800 | Up to €1,800 | Up to €1,800 |
| Windows (Full Upgrade) | €4,000 | €3,000 | €1,800 | €1,500 |
| External Doors (Max 2) | €800 per door | €800 per door | €800 per door | €800 per door |
| Floor Insulation | €3,500 | €3,500 | €3,500 | €3,500 |
| Mechanical Ventilation | €1,500 | €1,500 | €1,500 | €1,500 |
| Air Tightness | €1,000 | €1,000 | €1,000 | €1,000 |
| Home Energy Assessment | €350 | €350 | €350 | €350 |
| Project Management | €2,000 | €1,600 | €1,200 | €800 |
Grants are provided by the Government of Ireland through SEAI.
Do You Qualify for the First-Time Buyers Grant?
To access the enhanced FTB attic insulation grant, you must meet all of the following criteria:
Property requirements:
- The home must have been built and occupied before 2011
- You must own and live in the property — the grant is not available to tenants
First-time buyer requirements:
- You must have purchased a second-hand home on or after 1 January 2025, and
- You must not have previously owned a home
What Documents Will You Need?
To confirm your first-time buyer status, you will need one of the following documents to hand:
- A letter from your mortgage provider, or
- A notarised declaration from your solicitor or a Commissioner of Oaths
You won’t need to submit these upfront, but it’s worth getting them organised early so there are no delays further down the line.
How REIL Manages Your Retrofit from Start to Finish
As a SEAI-registered One Stop Shop, REIL handles every stage of your retrofit journey, from your initial enquiry right through to your final BER certificate. Here’s what that looks like:
- Submit your enquiry at reil.ie and a Retrofit Advisor will guide you through the process
- Online assessment – a 45-minute session to assess your home and build a tailored upgrade plan with estimated costs and grants
- Home visit – a Project Manager visits to confirm feasibility and provide a detailed quotation with grant deductions already applied
- Grant paperwork – REIL handles all SEAI administration on your behalf
- Contract and schedule – you receive a formal contract with a clear start date and timeline
- Works completed – our team carries out all upgrades to SEAI standards, followed by a final BER certificate
- Homeowner Pack – a comprehensive guide to operating and maintaining your new energy systems