Repair Bonus Becomes "Device Saver Premium": New Rules from 2026

The repair bonus, which expired in May 2025, will be replaced by the streamlined "Device Saver Premium" starting January 12, 2026. Half of the repair costs will be covered, up to a maximum of 130 euros per device, announced Environment Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) on Wednesday. Previously, the maximum subsidy was 200 euros. The repair of bicycles including e-bikes, mobile phones, and luxury, wellness, or entertainment devices will no longer be subsidized.

New Premium Focused on Household Appliances

The focus of the subsidy action will be on "those devices that are most frequently needed in the household and at the same time bind a lot of material," according to the Environment Minister. This would include, for example, washing machines, refrigerators, freezers, vacuum cleaners, or cordless screwdrivers. In addition, the repair of devices for medical care such as wheelchairs, care beds, ventilators, and blood pressure monitors will be supported.

30 Million Euros Per Year for "Device Saver Premium"

After the expiration of the previous repair bonus, the subsidy model was revised to be offered "cost-efficiently and budget-friendly" in the long term, according to Totschnig. In the current budget situation, the government must "turn every euro over twice." Approximately 30 million euros per year have been budgeted by the federal government for the "Device Saver Premium" from 2026 to 2028.

The Chamber of Commerce is pleased with the new "Device Saver Premium." "All sides benefit from this - especially the environment, but also the consumers who enjoy their devices longer and save money," said WKÖ Chairman of the Federal Trade and Crafts Division, Manfred Denk, at the joint press conference with Totschnig.

Repair Partner Companies Can Register Immediately

From December 10, repair companies can register as partner companies for the "Device Saver Premium." The website www.geräte-retter-prämie.at is the only official subsidy site and registration is free for companies. Kommunalkredit Public Consulting (KPC) checks the registered companies. Consumers can apply for the "Device Saver Premium" from January 12, 2026. The subsidy amount is paid directly to the consumers.

The repair bonus was launched in April 2022 by the then Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Green). Since the start of the subsidy, around 1.8 million vouchers have been redeemed. Due to subsidy fraud, the measure was temporarily suspended in 2023. Since the start of the subsidy in 2022, around 130 million euros from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility and 124 million euros in national funds have been available for the repair bonus. No EU subsidy funds are initially planned for the "Device Saver Premium."

(APA/Red)

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