With the October 2026 call the Austrian government ended the first-come-first-served EAG investment grants. Around 28,000 applications had competed for roughly 3,000 fundable projects in June, and the ministry argues that PV prices have fallen by about 90 %, so public money should go to storage and smart control. The ministry announced the new direction on 20 August 2026 and confirmed it on 7 October 2026.
From 2027 the plan is: a storage bonus for batteries installed with new PV systems and for retrofits on existing systems; an intelligent energy-management system as a funding condition; a continued bonus for European-made components; and applications submitted after installation and invoicing, similar to the Handwerkerbonus, replacing the lottery-style calls. Plain small rooftop PV would no longer be subsidised, while building-integrated PV, agri-PV, carports, floating PV and noise-barrier PV remain eligible. Bonus levels and criteria are still being finalised; the EAG amendment needs a two-thirds majority in parliament.
For installers: expect a demand gap for plain PV in early 2027 and build offers around battery plus EMS packages with Europe-made components. Projects that missed out in 2026 may be resubmitted under the new system, so keep the documentation ready.
An information digest prepared from official announcements and industry press; conditions change — always check the official source and the date of the entry before advising a customer.
