Applying for an SEAI grant is straightforward once you know the steps — and the one rule that trips people up. Here’s the process for individual grants from start to payment.
The golden rule
Apply and get approval BEFORE any work starts. Starting early is the most common reason people lose the grant. The approval email is your green light — nothing before it.
What you need before you start
- Your MPRN (the meter point reference number on your electricity bill).
- Confirmation your home meets the eligibility rules for that grant (age of home, etc. — insulation generally before 2011, heat pump and solar before 2021).
- An idea of which SEAI-registered contractor you’ll use.
Step by step
- Choose the grant and check eligibility on the SEAI grants pages.
- Apply online through SEAI with your MPRN and home details.
- Wait for grant approval. Do not book or start the work yet.
- Choose an SEAI-registered contractor and agree the work.
- Complete the works within the allowed window (typically 8 months from approval).
- Complete any required post-works BER assessment.
- Submit your documents — SEAI pays the grant to you.
Timelines to keep in mind
- Approval first — never start before it.
- Completion window — usually 8 months from approval; some grants (like heat pumps) also require you to accept the offer within 30 days.
- BER — budget time and cost (typically €150–€350) for the post-works BER assessment.
Doing several upgrades?
If you’re planning more than one measure, decide between claiming individual grants one at a time or a fully managed One Stop Shop retrofit — we compare them in One Stop Shop vs individual grants. For the full list of grants and amounts, see the SEAI grants guide.
Note
This is general information, not financial advice. The process and timelines can change — always follow the current instructions on the SEAI website.