Consumer loans for energy-saving investments continue to grow in Q2 2026
4 August 2026 - 3 min Reading time
Febelfin took a closer look at consumer loans used for renovation purposes and energy-efficiency investments during the second quarter of 2026. Around 8,950 consumer loans were granted for energy-efficient investments. Compared with 2025, this represents an increase of 1.4% in terms of volume, while the total amount financed remained stable. At the same time, lending for vehicle purchases declined during the same period, although financing for “green” vehicles continued to increase.
Slow growth in renovation loans and energy-efficiency investments
In total, just under 20,400 new consumer loans were taken out for renovation purposes in the second quarter of 2026, representing an increase of 5.2% compared with the same period in 2025. These loans include both financing for general renovation works and investments in energy-saving measures.
Consumer loans for other purposes also increased by 3.9% in terms of volume, but decreased by 11% in terms of amount financed compared with the second quarter of 2025. The growth in renovation loans is a positive signal for the renewal of Belgium’s housing stock.
Mortgage loans for the purchase and/or renovation of a home are not included in these figures.
Consumer loans aimed at energy-saving investments, such as the installation of a heat pump, solar panels or additional insulation, continue to develop, albeit at a limited pace. We recorded a modest increase of 1.4% in volume, while the total amount financed remained stable compared with the same period last year.
This limited growth comes in a context that is fairly comparable to that of the 2022 energy crisis, given the current tensions in the Middle East. Compared with the same period in 2022, there has nevertheless been a substantial decline of 43% in volume and 14.4% in amount financed.
The share of consumer loans for sustainable mobility continues to increase
The second quarter of 2026 was negative overall for consumer loans intended for vehicle purchases. Nearly 33,600 loans were granted for second-hand vehicles, compared with 33,200 loans for new vehicles. In terms of volume, this represents a decrease of 6.4% for new vehicles and 2.6% for second-hand vehicles compared with the same period in 2025.
When it comes to sustainable mobility, the share of financed “green” vehicles continues to grow. In the second quarter of 2026, just under 3,000 loans were granted for the purchase of a new vehicle classified as “ECO”, while just under 1,600 loans were granted for second-hand vehicles in the same category. This represents an increase of 28.2% in volume for new vehicles and 58.5% for second-hand vehicles.
"The continued, albeit modest, growth in loans for energy-efficiency renovations is a positive signal. However, this trend still needs to accelerate. The climate challenge remains very real. While the transition towards greener mobility now appears to be well underway, it is essential that this momentum is also reflected in the energy renovation of our building stock"
