The rules for submitting an application for residential subsidy have been tightened. It appears that applications are not always properly assessed in practice. This causes unnecessary extra work for both subsidy applicants and assessors. By clearly indicating to subsidy applicants which attachments are needed to substantiate the costs incurred, it is expected that less information will need to be requested during the assessment period.
Private owners of national monuments with a residential function can apply annually for a subsidy for the costs they incurred in the previous calendar year for the maintenance of their national monument (residential subsidy). The Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE) assesses whether these costs are aimed at maximum preservation of the monumental values of the national monument and whether they are technically necessary, sober, and efficient. Costs must also be eligible for subsidy based on the Guidelines for eligible maintenance costs. Especially for homeowners, a summary of these Guidelines is available.
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Always include photos
From the 2026 application round, in addition to specified invoices and an inspection report (mandatory for applications over €70,000), photos from before and after the work must be attached to the application. Without these photos, the RCE cannot properly assess to what extent the costs incurred are eligible for subsidy based on the Guidelines for eligible maintenance costs. Previously, applicants had to keep these photos on hand so the RCE could request them if necessary. This caused unnecessary extra work for both the subsidy applicant and the RCE. Therefore, photos must now be added directly with the application.
Foundation repair and work by the owner
Also for foundation repairs and work carried out by the owner themselves, the RCE must be able to assess whether the costs incurred are eligible for subsidy based on the Guidelines for eligible maintenance costs. If costs are claimed for foundation repair, a foundation investigation must already be submitted from the 2026 application round, demonstrating the technical necessity of the work.
For work carried out by the owner themselves, it is important that the application clearly states which work on which parts of the national monument the costs relate to.
More info
The new regulation also clarifies which invoices must be submitted and which documents may be requested during the assessment period. On the page What changes in 2026? you can read more about the changes per application round 2026.
More information about the new submission requirements can be found at Preparing residential subsidy application.
