Solar Incentives in Austria 2026: EAG Grants, Market Premium & Grid Steps
Last updated July 2026
Austria supports solar mainly through the Renewable Energy Expansion Act (EAG): a one-time investment subsidy and a tender-based market premium, both via OeMAG in time-limited funding calls, plus Klima- und Energiefonds calls and provincial (Länder) top-ups. The temporary 0% VAT rate has ended. Grid access is arranged with the local Netzbetreiber. Confirm current terms officially.
Austria supports solar power mainly through the Renewable Energy Expansion Act (Erneuerbaren-Ausbau-Gesetz, EAG), which funds two distinct tools administered by the EAG-Förderabwicklungsstelle (OeMAG): a one-time investment grant for buying and installing grid-connected PV plus battery storage, and a sliding market premium that tops up the market value of electricity fed into the grid, awarded through competitive tenders for larger systems. Both are applied for through the EAG portal during time-limited funding calls (Fördercalls) rather than being open all year. The federal Climate and Energy Fund (Klima- und Energiefonds) runs additional thematic and regional calls, and each of the nine federal states (Bundesländer) can offer its own top-up subsidies that vary by region. A temporary 0% VAT rate (Nullsteuersatz) on residential PV existed but has since ended, so the standard rate now applies to new purchases. Programme scope, capacity categories, funding-call windows and any bonuses change frequently, so always confirm current figures, deadlines and eligibility at the official source before you commit.
Registering your solar system on the grid
Grid access and feed-in registration (Netzzugang / Zählpunkt via Netzbetreiber)
Before or alongside installing a PV system, the operator applies for grid access with the local distribution network operator (Netzbetreiber / DSO) through its customer portal. The DSO checks available connection capacity, then issues a network access agreement and a metering point (Zählpunkt) so that fed-in electricity can be measured and settled; a licensed electrical company files the completion notice (Fertigstellungsmeldung) before the plant is put into operation. A grid feed-in point offer from the DSO is also a prerequisite for applying to the EAG grants. Simplified grid access applies to smaller systems, and the national regulator E-Control publishes the framework and guidance that DSOs follow.
EAG Investitionszuschuss (investment subsidy for PV and storage)
Administered by: EAG-Förderabwicklungsstelle (OeMAG)
A one-time investment subsidy toward the cost of establishing or expanding a grid-connected photovoltaic system, and an associated newly built battery storage unit. Applications are submitted through the EAG portal only during periodic, time-limited funding calls (Fördercalls); after an initial approval OeMAG issues a funding contract, and payment follows once installation is complete and invoices, photos and inspection records are verified. Systems are grouped into capacity categories with their own ranking rules.
Who it is for: Operators of new or expanded grid-connected PV systems (and optional co-installed battery storage) who hold the necessary permits and a grid feed-in point offer from their distribution network operator before applying.
EAG Marktprämie (sliding market premium)
Administered by: EAG-Förderabwicklungsstelle (OeMAG)
A sliding market premium that supports electricity fed into the grid by topping up the reference market value, bridging the gap between renewable generation costs and the average market price over a fixed support term. Support is allocated through competitive tenders in which applications are ranked by the price bid, and it replaced the older OeMAG feed-in tariff for eligible new plants while existing tariff contracts continue to run. It is aimed at larger PV installations above a defined capacity threshold.
Who it is for: Operators of larger grid-connected PV plants above the qualifying capacity threshold who succeed in the tender ranking and meet the EAG conditions.
Nullsteuersatz (0% VAT on residential PV) — ended
Administered by: Bundesministerium für Finanzen (Federal Ministry of Finance)
A temporary zero VAT rate (Nullsteuersatz) that applied to the supply, import and installation of photovoltaic modules for eligible smaller residential systems, removing the upfront VAT charge instead of paying it and reclaiming it. It was introduced as a time-limited measure but was ended early for budget-consolidation reasons; a transition rule kept it available only where the underlying contract was concluded before the cut-off and the system was completed within the transition window. The standard VAT rate now applies again to new purchases, so this relief is no longer open for new projects.
Who it is for: Previously operators of eligible smaller residential PV systems; no longer available for new contracts, subject only to the past transition rule.
Klima- und Energiefonds (Climate and Energy Fund)
Administered by: Klima- und Energiefonds
A federal fund that runs thematic and regional funding programmes for the energy transition, including calls related to photovoltaics and innovative or reproducible solar projects, alongside regional programmes. Support is granted through defined, time-limited submission periods rather than being permanently open, and it complements the EAG rather than duplicating it.
Who it is for: Depends on the specific call; typical target groups include municipalities, businesses, associations and, in some programmes, private individuals and research institutions.
Länder (provincial) solar supports
Administered by: Individual Bundesländer (federal states)
Under Austria's federal structure, individual states such as Carinthia, Salzburg, Vorarlberg and Vienna can operate their own photovoltaic and storage subsidy schemes that sit alongside the national EAG supports. These regional programmes are designed and run independently by each state, so their availability, conditions and application routes vary by region and can change from year to year.
Who it is for: Households, businesses and other applicants located in the relevant federal state, according to that state's own scheme rules.
Before you rely on any figure — check the official source
Solar incentive rates, tariff levels, budgets, eligibility thresholds and deadlines in Austria change frequently, and several schemes run on limited budgets or fixed application windows. This guide describes each programme at the mechanism level and links to the official administering body so you can confirm the current terms for your own project and year. Never commit to a purchase on the strength of a headline number from a third-party site — including this one.
Once you know which schemes apply, the practical next step is a qualified local installer who can size the system, handle the grid registration and apply for the incentives that fit. Browse solar companies in Austria → on Solar Directory.
Official sources
Every programme fact on this page is drawn from official government and agency sources. Confirm the current terms directly:
- https://www.eag-abwicklungsstelle.at/wissen/investitionszuschuss-photovoltaik-und-speicher/
- https://www.oem-ag.at/de/foerderung/marktpraemien/
- https://www.bmf.gv.at/themen/steuern/fuer-unternehmen/umsatzsteuer/informationen/steuersatz-fuer-photovoltaikmodule.html
- https://www.klimafonds.gv.at/foerderungen/
- https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/de/themen/umwelt_und_klima/energie_und_ressourcen_sparen/1/Seite.2430320
- https://www.e-control.at/en/eigenverbraucher-mit-ueberschusseinspeisung
Solar support programmes in Austria at a glance
| Programme | What it does | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| EAG Investitionszuschuss (investment subsidy for PV and storage) | One-time PV and storage grant | Official page → |
| EAG Marktprämie (sliding market premium) | Sliding premium via tenders | Official page → |
| Nullsteuersatz (0% VAT on residential PV) — ended | 0% VAT relief (now expired) | Official page → |
| Klima- und Energiefonds (Climate and Energy Fund) | Federal climate and PV calls | Official page → |
| Länder (provincial) solar supports | Regional top-up subsidies | Official page → |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 0% VAT rate on solar panels still available in Austria in 2026?
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No. The temporary zero VAT rate (Nullsteuersatz) for residential PV modules has ended, and the standard VAT rate now applies to new purchases and installations. A transition rule previously kept the zero rate available only for contracts concluded before the cut-off date and completed within the transition window. Confirm the current tax treatment for your project with the Federal Ministry of Finance or a tax adviser.
How do the two main EAG supports differ?
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The EAG investment subsidy (Investitionszuschuss) is a one-time grant toward the cost of buying and installing a grid-connected PV system and optional battery storage. The EAG market premium (Marktprämie) instead supports the electricity you feed into the grid over a fixed term, is allocated through competitive tenders, and is aimed at larger systems. Both are administered by the EAG-Förderabwicklungsstelle (OeMAG) and applied for through the EAG portal during time-limited funding calls.
Do I have to register my PV system with the grid before I can feed in electricity?
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Yes. You apply for grid access with your local distribution network operator (Netzbetreiber / DSO), which checks connection capacity and issues a network access agreement and a metering point (Zählpunkt). A licensed electrical company files the completion notice before the system goes into operation, and a grid feed-in point offer from the DSO is also required before applying for EAG support. The regulator E-Control publishes the framework the network operators follow.
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