Debrecen4U
December 13, 2025
Built Heritage Renovation Program May Continue Next Year
Next year, applications may once again be announced to support the renovation of locally protected buildings under the Built Heritage Renovation Program.
The city council will decide on the continuation on December 18. The details of the program were presented at a press conference on December 12, 2025, by Viktor Papp, Chairman of the Ownership and Economic Development Committee, and Balázs Vadon, Chairman of the Environmental Protection and Urban Development Committee.
Viktor Papp recalled that the Debrecen city council had already decided in April 2024 to announce the call for applications, which supports the renovation of buildings under local individual protection. Currently, 329 buildings are on the local unique protection list, while more than 130 buildings in Debrecen have monument protection. Thanks to the program, two large apartment buildings—at 10–12 Szent Anna Street and 43 Piac Street—are currently under renovation.
“In recent years, the program has operated entirely from municipal funds, with HUF 200 million allocated annually. In 2026, this amount is planned to increase by 10 percent, reaching HUF 220 million,” Viktor Papp emphasized. He added that, unlike in previous years, participation will not be limited to residential communities functioning as condominiums and housing cooperatives in Debrecen. Private individuals who own locally protected houses or eclectic bourgeois townhouses in the city will also be eligible for support.
Within the framework of the application, support may be granted for the renovation of decorative façade elements, the restoration of entire façades, the replacement of doors and windows, and the renewal of roof shelves. The city provides at least 50 percent support for investments, with amounts ranging from a minimum of HUF 50 million to a maximum of HUF 220 million.
He expressed his hope that in the next round of applications, as many submissions as possible will be received and that many will take advantage of the opportunities offered by the support.
At the press conference, Balázs Vadon emphasized that owning a locally protected or listed heritage building is both a privilege and a responsibility. Renovating such properties, he noted, can be a demanding yet meaningful task, as costs are often several times higher than those of conventional buildings. Planning is also more complex, frequently requiring designers to consult archival sources. The process involves collaboration with the chief architect, a townscape review, and coordination with the heritage protection authority. Implementation, in turn, calls for specialized expertise that only contractors dedicated to heritage restoration can provide.
“For decades, Debrecen’s leadership has remained committed to safeguarding architectural values. Through the Built Heritage Renovation Program, the city is now able to directly support owners of locally protected and listed heritage buildings,” he concluded.
Applications may be submitted between January 1 and March 31, 2026, by uploading the required documents electronically at https://helyivedett.debrecen.hu.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
