2026 ISDE Ventilation Subsidy and When It Fits a Full Renovation
Ventilation is an important part of a renovation because a tighter, better-insulated home still needs a reliable supply of fresh air. In 2026, the ISDE scheme can support certain ventilation measures in existing Dutch homes. The conditions are specific, so check the current RVO ventilation page and meldcodelijst before ordering equipment or starting work.
When the 2026 ventilation measure applies
The ventilation measure must be installed on or after 1 January 2026 and combined with one or more qualifying insulation measures. The dwelling must have been built before 1 January 2019, or its building permit must have been applied for before 1 July 2018. These dates concern the dwelling and permit history, not simply the age of a ventilation unit.
A building or installation company must carry out the complete installation. The homeowner installs the measure first and submits the application within 24 months. Keep the invoice and the documents needed to identify and verify the installed system.
What the subsidy pays
The ventilation subsidy is a one-time fixed amount of EUR 400. It is not calculated from floor area, the number of rooms or the price of the renovation. The measure has its own conditions and should be treated separately from the rules for insulation amounts.
RVO does not say that combining insulation only with ventilation doubles the insulation subsidy. Ventilation can be part of a wider renovation, but it does not create an automatic doubling of the insulation amount. Check the current RVO rules for each measure and combination before committing to the work.
Systems that may qualify
A central demand-controlled ventilation system must control at least the living room and the main bedroom on the basis of CO2. It must also meet the technical conditions in force when the application is assessed.
A decentralised balanced heat-recovery unit must simultaneously supply and extract air. Its heat-recovery efficiency must be at least 80 percent when tested under EN 13141-8:2022, and its capacity must be at least 80 m³/h. The exact product must be checked against the current RVO meldcodelijst. If it is not listed, technical evidence is required, and approval is not guaranteed.
Why include ventilation in a full renovation?
A full renovation often opens floors, ceilings and walls. That makes it easier to plan duct routes, service access and electrical connections before finishes are installed. It also gives the project team an opportunity to coordinate ventilation with insulation, windows and the air barrier.
Balanced ventilation needs a coherent design. Fresh air is supplied to living rooms and bedrooms, while extracted air leaves kitchens, bathrooms and toilets. The system should be sized and commissioned for the dwelling, with filters and inspection points remaining accessible after the renovation.
Ventilation is not a substitute for correct insulation or airtight detailing. Nor does selecting a heat-recovery unit by itself demonstrate that a home meets a particular energy standard. The design, installation and commissioning should be considered together.
A practical application sequence
- Check the current RVO ventilation page and meldcodelijst before ordering. Confirm the 2026 installation date, dwelling eligibility and technical conditions.
- Choose a qualifying measure and arrange the complete installation through a building or installation company.
- Combine the ventilation measure with at least one qualifying insulation measure, as required for this subsidy.
- Keep the invoice, product details and evidence of installation. Submit the application within 24 months after installing.
Separate subsidy rules from renovation planning
A full renovation can be the right moment to improve ventilation because access is available and several building decisions are made together. The subsidy itself remains narrower: it is a fixed EUR 400 contribution for a qualifying ventilation measure, subject to the current RVO requirements.
Verify the official information immediately before ordering, because RVO may update technical lists and application guidance. A careful check prevents a renovation plan from relying on an indicative product choice or on an incorrect assumption about subsidy amounts.
Official sources and next checks
Rules and product information can change. Before ordering or applying, check the sources that apply to the address and proposed work.
