As Europe plans the next steps in improving the energy performance of buildings, BPIE has undertaken this review to present key facts from the use of financial instruments across Europe. The paper presents an overview of the various financial schemes in place dedicated to the energy efficient renovation of buildings in 2011. It makes a quantitative analysis of the different financing mechanisms and provides comparisons on specific aspects such as the level of financial support and ambition with respect to the targeted energy consumption of the renovated building. It provides also information on the type of buildings concerned and renovation measures supported by the financial schemes.