Germany’s federal grant for barrier-free home renovations has stopped taking new applications.
Barrier-free renovations remove obstacles like steps, narrow doors, or high thresholds. That helps older people or people with limited mobility move around a home safely.
The grant program is called 455-B. That stands for “Altersgerecht Umbauen – Barrierereduzierung.”
This grant program used up its full 2026 budget of €50 million in just over four months.
The 455-B Grant Covered 26,800 Homes Before Its Budget Ran Out
Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) reopened the 455-B grant on April 8, 2026. By August 17, 2026, the budget was gone.
In that window, KfW approved around 21,400 applications. Together they covered roughly 26,800 residential units.
The plumbing and heating trade group ZVSHK called the budget too small. It said €50 million fell short of real demand for barrier reduction.
ZVSHK president Michael Hilpert said the program achieves “significant impact” with “comparatively modest public funding.” That funding, he added, helps people “live independently in their homes longer.”
The association wants at least €150 million a year from 2027. If approved, that would triple this year’s budget.
What Happens If You Applied Before The Cutoff?
Nothing changes if you submitted your application before August 17. KfW will keep processing it as normal, and approved grants will still be paid out.
If you had not yet applied, you can no longer submit a new request under 455-B.
Two alternatives remain open if you need barrier-free changes now. Each comes from a different funding source.
KfW loan 159 (“Altersgerecht Umbauen”) offers a low-interest loan instead of a grant. It has not run out of funding.
- Up to €50,000 per residential unit
- Interest rates starting around 2.19%
- Open to owners and renters, regardless of age or income
Long-term care insurance (Pflegekasse) can also help, depending on your care level. If you or a household member holds Pflegegrad 1 to 5, you may qualify.
- Up to €4,180 per person for qualifying modifications
- Covers widened doorways, ramps, stairlifts, and elevators
- Covers bathroom renovations for care needs
- Up to €16,720 total if several eligible people share a home
Processing typically takes three weeks. It can take five weeks if a medical assessment is required.
TIP: You can combine the KfW 159 loan with the Pflegekasse subsidy. They come from separate funding pots, which can lower what you pay out of pocket.
Sources
- https://www.kfw.de/inlandsfoerderung/Privatpersonen/Bestandsimmobilie/F%C3%B6rderprodukte/Altersgerecht-Umbauen-Investitionszuschuss-(455)/
- https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/pflege-zu-hause/zuschuesse-zur-wohnungsanpassung
- https://www.si-shk.de/kfw-foerdertopf-leer-zvshk-fordert-deutliche-aufstockung-249866/
