Barrier-free and age-appropriate renovation: KfW funding is returning.

Subsidies for age- and barrier-free renovations are expected to be available again in 2026. The federal government plans to allocate 50 million euros in the budget for the KfW program. Here's what the plumbing, heating, and air conditioning (PHVAC) industry has to say about it.

Wie der Central Association of Sanitation, Heating and Air Conditioning (ZVSHK) It has been reported that funds for age- and barrier-free home renovations will again be available in the 2026 federal budget. Subsidies for bathroom renovations or the installation of stairlifts will then be available again. Applications for these subsidies have not been accepted since January 1, 2025. 

For the KfW-Program "Barrier Reduction - Investment Grant" (455-B) According to the Federal Ministry of Construction, 50 million euros are earmarked for this purpose.

A success for the lobbying efforts of the skilled trades.

The plumbing, heating, and air conditioning (SHK) industry sees this as an important signal: "It is a step in the right direction that the issue of barrier-free and age-appropriate construction is once again receiving greater attention from the federal government," explains [name/title of speaker]. ZVSHK President Michael Hilpert"We have been advocating for the continuation and strengthening of this program for a long time and in numerous discussions with members of parliament and the relevant ministries. The fact that the funding is now returning is a success of the joint efforts of tradespeople, associations and many political supporters."

In previous years, however, the figure was significantly higher. In 2023, for example, it was 75 million euros. The funding pot ran out quickly. - as in previous years. The skilled trades sector had therefore actually requested 150 million euros for the program – as in 2024. According to a study commissioned by KfW and conducted by the Institute for Housing and the Environment (IWU), by 2035 the number of new buildings in Germany would be significantly higher. more than two million additional accessible or barrier-free apartments needed. At the same time, the number of people requiring care is rising rapidly.  

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Therefore, the association warns of significant underfunding. 50 million euros would not be sufficient to cover the actual needs and guarantee planning certainty.  

In the past, projects that have received funding include, for example:

• walk-in showers,
• Stairlifts,
• Ramps, 
• Door widenings,
• barrier-free access
• Call systems,
• Emergency call systems,
• intelligent building technology

Source: ZVSHK; DHB

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