2026 Budget: Key measures to revive the housing sector

These measures are part of a broader strategy to address the housing crisis, with a comprehensive recovery plan to be presented in February by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

3,6 billion euros for MaPrimeRénov'

The 2026 budget allocates 3,6 billion euros to the MaPrimeRénov' energy renovation grant, an amount identical to that of 2025. However, this allocation will weigh less on public finances, thanks to a strengthened use of energy saving certificates (CEE) to finance the scheme.

With these funds, the National Housing Agency (Anah) plans to support 150.000 individual renovations—such as replacing a boiler or windows—as well as 120.000 comprehensive housing renovations, including 68.000 in apartment buildings and 52.000 single-family homes. However, this target is already reduced by the 83.000 applications still pending at the end of the year.

The government has pledged to reopen the MaPrimeRénov' scheme to all households, after a period of suspension followed by a partial reopening reserved for the most modest households in 2025.

Encouraging rental investment

In order to revive rental investment, the government has adopted a new tax scheme following a consensus between parliamentarians and stakeholders in the real estate sector.

This "private landlord status", also called the "Jeanbrun scheme" — named after the Minister of Housing — goes beyond the version initially presented by the executive, then modified and adopted by Parliament.

The mechanism provides for depreciation and several tax advantages, provided that capped rents are respected and that the property is rented for nine years.

Applicable throughout the territory, the scheme requires, for older housing, that work be carried out representing at least 30% of the purchase price in order to benefit from the tax advantage.

Support for social housing providers

To support the construction and renovation of social housing, the government has chosen to reduce a levy on the revenues of social landlords.

The solidarity rent reduction (RLS) will thus be capped at 900 million euros, compared to 1,3 billion euros in the initial version of the draft finance law for 2026.

In return, social housing organizations will contribute 275 million euros to the national housing aid fund (FNAP) — 200 million euros more than in 2025 — the main lever for financing the production of social housing.

Reclaiming vacant housing

The 2026 budget provides for the merger of the tax on vacant dwellings and the housing tax on vacant dwellings, a measure approved by the government.

This amendment aims to simplify the system and entrust its complete management to mayors. Municipalities will thus be able to increase the tax to a level that can reach double the current rate.

The stated objective is to bring back onto the rental market housing that has been unoccupied for several years, a measure that has been the subject of broad parliamentary consensus.

Housing benefits

The government has finally abandoned plans to implement a "blank year" for social benefits. Personalized housing assistance (APL) will therefore be adjusted in line with inflation in 2026.

On the other hand, the text provides for the elimination of housing benefits for non-European Union foreign students who are not on scholarships, starting in the 2026 academic year, a provision strongly criticized by housing assistance associations.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.