What are the differences between a PEL and a CEL?

Verified 01 January 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The home savings plan (PEL) and the home savings account (CEL) are savings products.

They can allow you to obtain a favorable loan (and sometimes a government premium) to finance the purchase of a property or to carry out work.

But there are differences between these two devices. We present them to you.

For savings

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The account was opened after 2018

Tableau - Comparison between an ELP and a CEL as a savings product

ELP

CEL

Initial payment

€225

€300

Deposit ceiling

€61,200

€15,300

Interest rates

(plan or account remuneration)

2.00%

1.25%

Periodicity of payments

Regular payments 

  • from €45 per month
  • or €135 by quarter
  • or €270 by semester

    • Free payments of at least €75

    Possibility of partial withdrawal of funds

    No: a withdrawal results in the closure of the ELP, which can however be transformed into a CEL

    Yes, provided the account balance is at least

    €300 after removal.

    Taxation

    Taxable interest on income tax and social security contributions

    Taxable interest on income tax and social security contributions

    The account was opened between August 2016 and the end of 2017

    Tableau - Comparison between an ELP and a CEL as a savings product

    ELP

    CEL

    Initial payment

    €225

    €300

    Deposit ceiling

    €61,200

    €15,300

    Interest rates

    (plan or account remuneration)

    2.00%

    1.25%

    Periodicity of payments

    Regular payments 

  • from €45 per month
  • or €135 by quarter
  • or €270 by semester

    • Free payments of at least €75

    Possibility of partial withdrawal of funds

    No: a withdrawal results in the closure of the ELP, which can however be transformed into a CEL

    Yes, provided the account balance is at least

    €300 after removal.

    Taxation

    • ELP under 12 years of age : interest exempt from income tax but subject to social security contributions
    • ELP over 12 years of age : interest taxable for income tax and social security contributions

    Interest exempt from income tax but subject to social security contributions

    For borrowing

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    The account was opened from 2018

    Tableau - Comparison of loans granted under an ELP or CEL

    ELP

    CEL

    Time to borrow

    4 years

    18 months

    (provided you have accumulated a certain interest value)

    Maximum loan

    €92,000

    €23,000

    Duration of the loan

    From 2 to 15 years

    From 2 to 15 years

    Loan interest rate

    Variable according to the opening date of the ELP

    Variable according to the period of savings on the CEL

    What to finance with this loan?

    • The purchase or construction of a principal residence (or secondary residence if new)
    • Certain upgrades, extensions or repairs

    The account was opened between August 2016 and the end of 2017

    Tableau - Comparison of loans granted under an ELP or CEL

    ELP

    CEL

    Time to borrow

    4 years

    18 months

    (provided you have accumulated a certain interest value)

    Maximum loan

    €92,000

    €23,000

    Duration of the loan

    From 2 to 15 years

    From 2 to 15 years

    Loan interest rate

    Variable according to the opening date of the ELP

    Variable according to the period of savings on the CEL

    Maximum State Premium

    €1,000

    €1,144

    What to finance with this loan?

    • The purchase or construction of a principal residence (or secondary residence if new)
    • Certain upgrades, extensions or repairs

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