Debrecen4U October 29, 2026

Debrecen’s Local Panel Renovation Programme Reaches 4,000 Homes So Far, with National Scheme to Launch in 2027

Debrecen relaunched its panel building renovation programme in 2023 using its own municipal funds, and renovations have now affected a total of 3,970 homes. The government has announced a nationwide panel renovation programme for next year.

One of Debrecen’s largest residential buildings stands at 6 Borbíró Square. The 14-storey tower block contains 114 flats, with three lifts that were completely refurbished a few years ago after they had already reached the age of 45. “The new lifts are much more attractive, with stainless steel finishes throughout and mirrors fitted inside. Most importantly, however, the old control system that had caused so many problems was replaced with a modern electronic system. Everything now works reliably and properly,” said resident Imre Fazekas.

A significant proportion of renovation costs totaling HUF 50 million was funded by the residents but the local authority contributed HUF 12 million towards the project through its municipal panel building renovation programme, relaunched in 2023. “The replacement of the lifts had previously been postponed because no funding was available to get the process under way. It was a major expense, and the owners had to dig deep into their pockets. It is fair to say that this renovation would not have happened without the municipality’s non-repayable grant,” stressed László Szekerák, building manager at Nexus Trsasházkezelő Kft.

In the future, residents also want to improve the building’s thermal insulation, and the recently announced Wekerle Programme, funded by the government, could could give them a good opportunity to do so. The energy-efficiency renovation programme is due to launch in March 2027, with applications open to owners of detached houses and apartment buildings, housing cooperatives and panel blocks alike. According to Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s announcement, the government will allocate more than HUF 600 billion from EU funding for this purpose. “Through the programmes for detached houses, apartment buildings and panel blocks, we ar eaiming for the modernisation of at least 30,000 Hungarian homes every year and more than 120,000 by 2030. We will increase the funding available for the programme if necessary,” Péter Magyar said in a video posted on social media.

The Prime Minister added that people living in panel blocks had been among those who lost out in recent years, as Hungary had not had a comprehensive panel renovation programme for more than 16 years. In response to the statement, Mayor László Papp pointed out that, while the claim may be accurate at national level, it does not apply to Debrecen, where a local panel building renovation programme was relaunched by the municipality in 2023 using its own funds, with HUF 500 million allocated annually to the renovation of apartment buildings ever since.

László Papp noted that the programme has so far benefited a total of 3,970 homes in Debrecen. The municipal scheme provides support for a wide range of improvements, including window and door replacement, façade and roof insulation, and lift and heating system upgrades. This year, the range of eligible works was expanded to include electrical system renovations.

Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit: debrecen.hu