According to the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, the maximum support amount cannot exceed €1,683 for individuals and families eligible for the social energy tariff and participating in the Bairros + Sustentáveis program, and €1,100 for those with an unrestricted electricity supply contract.

Payments under the E-Lar program are made directly by the Climate Agency to suppliers, who will have to ensure that replaced appliances are delivered for recycling.

Supplier registration will open on August 18, the minister stated at a press conference in Lisbon, expecting "a large turnout" from retailers.

In total, the E-Lar program's budget could reach 40 million euros: 30 million from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) and "an additional 10 million from the Environmental Fund if demand justifies it."

Maria da Graça Carvalho said that families wishing to benefit from the support will be able to register for the program starting September 30 and "until the available amount" is exhausted, which she believes will happen quickly.

To apply, interested parties must fill out a form on the website www.fundoambiental.pt.

If their application is accepted, they will receive a voucher that they can use within the E-Lar program's network of suppliers to purchase electric stovetops, ovens, and water heaters.

The amounts allocated for each appliance purchased, which must be energy class A or higher, are set, up to a total of €1,683 for vulnerable families and €1,100 for others.

"The goal is to effectively convert these €40 million into much more efficient appliances for all families," emphasised the Minister of Environment and Energy.

The minister also announced the allocation of €60 million from the PRR to the Bairros + Sustentáveis (More Sustainable Neighborhoods) program, open to municipalities, private social solidarity institutions, and residents' associations that wish to intervene in buildings located in municipal neighbourhoods, historic areas, and urban renewal areas in the 35 municipalities of the Lisbon and Porto metropolitan areas.

This includes projects such as thermal insulation and the installation of green roofs, natural ventilation systems, solar panels, and more efficient water use devices, among others.

"We estimate that the available funds will allow for work in at least 3,500 residential units," emphasised Maria da Graça Carvalho, adding that projects completed after February 20, 2020, with invoices and receipts, will be accepted to mitigate the fact that the PRR implementation deadline ends in June 2026.