Have you been refused a subsidy for an electric car? We advise how to defend yourself

Owning your own electric car has long been the preserve of technology enthusiasts. Thanks to the growing pressure to reduce emissions and promote green transport, more and more people and companies are interested in subsidies for an electric car. These can significantly reduce acquisition costs while helping to meet stricter environmental limits.

The state and the European Union have long supported the transition to electromobility, whether through subsidies for the purchase of an electric car or support for charging infrastructure or soft loans. Yet the path to subsidies is not always straightforward. Many applicants face unclear rules, incomplete documentation or rejection of their application.

That’s why we’ve decided to write an article not only about how to apply for an EV subsidy, but more importantly about how to defend yourself legally if the authorities don’t grant it or ask you to pay it back.

What types of subsidies exist for an electric car

There are several subsidy programmes that support the purchase of electric vehicles. They vary according to the target group, the amount of support and the method of financing.

1. Subsidies for natural persons

For ordinary citizens, the most well-known is the New Green Savings Programme, which in recent years has made it possible to obtain a grant for a charging station, for example. The state does not yet provide subsidies directly for the electric vehicle itself. In order to obtain a subsidy for a charging station, the ownership of a family house or a combination with other energy-saving measures (e.g. photovoltaics) is usually a condition.

2. Subsidies for companies and municipalities

Businesses and municipalities can use the Operational Programme Transport or the Modernisation Fund. These programmes support in particular the purchase of electric vans, commercial vehicles or buses, the building of public charging points and the conversion of company fleets to zero-emission vehicles. The amount of support can be up to 40-60% of the purchase cost, which is a significant saving.

In 2026, the subsidy area will see clearer rules, with the form of support varying according to the type of applicant. For projects financed by the Integrated Regional Operational Programme (IROP), a new condition will apply from 1 January 2026: supported cars must have zero carbon dioxide emissions during operation (i.e. 0 g CO₂ per kilometre). In practice, this means that only zero-emission vehicles – typically electric or hydrogen-powered cars – will be used

How to apply for a subsidy for an electric car

The process of applying for an EV subsidy can vary in detail depending on the specific programme, but the basic procedure is always similar. The first thing to do is to check the current calls for proposals, as each one has precise conditions, deadlines and eligible applicants. This is followed by the preparation of the necessary documents, including vehicle specifications, a quotation, proof of ownership of the property or confirmation of environmental compliance. Once you have everything together, the application is submitted electronically, most often via the SFŽP AIS or ISKP. Finally, all that is left to do is wait for the decision to award the subsidy, which usually comes after an administrative assessment and check of the documents by the provider.

What to look out for from a legal point of view

From a legal point of view, it is very important to understand that accepting a grant does not only give you a financial advantage, but also a binding legal relationship with the State. This relationship is most often formalised through the grant agreement, which is a public law contract. It defines not only the precise conditions under which the grant is granted, but also the way in which the funds must be used.

For example, subsidies for an electric vehicle usually stipulate that the vehicle must be new, that it must not be sold or transferred to another person for a certain period of time (the so-called project sustainability period, usually three to five years), and that it must be used for a purpose that corresponds to the approved application – for example, for business, business purposes or personal transport in the context of environmental projects.

The contract also includes provisions for monitoring the use of the funds. The grant provider has the right to check at any time that the beneficiary is fulfilling its obligations. If it finds irregularities (for example, that the vehicle was not used for the approved purpose or that the beneficiary did not provide the required documents), it can issue a corrective notice or even decide to recover part or all of the grant. Such a decision has serious financial implications and may also entail penalties or interest for late payment.

It is therefore advisable to pay attention to each provision in the contract before signing. In practice, seemingly innocent wording may imply a major obligation that the applicant is not even aware of – for example, the need to archive all documents for several years, to report regularly on the use of the vehicle or to notify any changes in its operation.

Have the grant agreement checked by a professional. Our lawyers will help you avoid future problems and make sure you understand exactly what your rights and obligations are. With our experience, we can alert you early to risky provisions that could lead to the need to return the grant and advise you on how to negotiate adjustments to the disputed parts if necessary.

What to do if I don’t get a subsidy for my electric car

Rejection of a subsidy application is no exception, often a formal error or a missing annex is enough. If you are not granted a subsidy, you have several legal options.

1. Lodging an objection or appeal

If the authority does not grant you the subsidy, this does not have to be the end of the matter. You have the possibility to defend yourself against the decision. Any refusal must be justified in writing, so you should know exactly why your application has been refused. You can object to such a decision, or appeal if the decision was made by the Ministry.

The time limit for making a submission is usually 15 days from the date of receipt of the decision, so it is important to act quickly and not leave it to the last minute. Objections should be as specific as possible – it is not enough to say that you disagree with the decision. You need to explain why you think the authority’s decision is wrong and ideally provide evidence that you have actually met all the conditions. A well-written and reasoned objection can have a good chance of success, especially if you have a lawyer who is familiar with the administrative procedure and the procedures of the subsidy authorities to help you prepare it.

2. Administrative action

If the authority also rejects the objection, you can appeal to an administrative court. This will examine whether the administrative authority has violated the law, the principle of equality of applicants or the principle of legitimate expectations. At this stage, it is definitely worthwhile to be represented by a lawyer who can prepare a qualified claim and arguments.

3. Out-of-court settlement

In some cases, it is possible to communicate informally with the grant provider – to fill in missing documents or ask for a reassessment. Again, a lawyer who knows the administrative procedures and can formulate a letter or proposal that carries weight can help.

When are you at risk of having to pay back the subsidy for an electric car?

Many people think that once they get an EV subsidy, they’ve won. But in reality, your obligations are just beginning. The risk of repaying the subsidy doesn’t end when you sign the contract or when the money is paid. At any time over the next few years, the subsidy provider can check whether you are actually complying with all the conditions you promised when you applied.

For example, the authority can check that you are actually using the electric car for the purpose you stated in your application (for example, for business, business travel or personal transport as part of an environmental project). It also checks that you have not sold or transferred the vehicle to another person before the so-called sustainability period of the project, which is usually three to five years. It may also be interested in whether you have submitted all required reports on time, submitted invoices or notified changes that may affect compliance with the grant conditions.

If the audit finds irregularities, the authority will first ask you to explain or correct them. However, when it recognises that you have broken the rules, it may issue a decision to recover part or all of the grant. Often the sums involved are not small, but can run into hundreds of thousands of crowns.

However, you can defend yourself in such a situation. You have the right to prove that you did not break the conditions, or that the misconduct was unintentional – for example, because of a mistake in the provider’s instructions or unclear wording in the contract. In some cases, it can be shown that the check was based on incomplete or incorrect information.

Legal advice is extremely important at this stage. An experienced solicitor can help you write your reasons, prepare your arguments and ensure that your representations carry weight with the authority. In this way, you can significantly reduce the risk of having to repay the subsidy, or at least get only part of it repaid.

Summary

Subsidies for an electric car can reduce the price of the car by up to hundreds of thousands of crowns, but obtaining them requires meeting precisely defined conditions. Individuals can apply, for example, under the New Green Savings Programme. Companies and municipalities use the Operational Programme Transport or the Modernisation Fund, which support the purchase of commercial vehicles, buses or the construction of charging points with support for up to 40-60% of the cost. The application must be submitted electronically via the SFŽP AIS or ISKP and must be accompanied by complete documentation. Acceptance of the subsidy creates a public contractual relationship which imposes an obligation to own and use the vehicle for a certain period of time for the declared purpose. Breach of the conditions – for example, selling the car before 3-5 years or failing to provide the necessary documents – may lead to an obligation to repay the subsidy. If the application is refused, objections or appeals can be lodged within 15 days and, if unsuccessful, the applicant can defend himself with an administrative action. In the event of an inspection and imminent repayment of the subsidy, it may be argued that the contract is unclear or that the authority has erred.