Get funding for your barrier-free conversion
Get funding for removing thresholds and creating barrier-free transitions – with grants or low-interest loans from KfW and the statutory care insurance fund. The overview, as of 2026.
Please note: these funding programmes – KfW and the statutory long-term care insurance fund (§ 40 SGB XI) – apply to construction projects in Germany. Building elsewhere in Europe? Talk to us and we'll point you to the schemes available in your country.
Barrier-free rebuilding can be funded – via KfW and the long-term care insurance fund.
Anyone who removes thresholds and creates a step-free entrance can use grants or low-interest loans. An overview of the most important routes – as of 2026, subject to available funds. We advise on a per-project basis and supply the necessary documents (cost estimate, installation plan).
Related: the barrier-free facade connection.
Two funding routes at a glance
As of 2026, subject to available funds – we clarify the exact conditions on a project basis.
KfW – Age-Appropriate Conversion (Altersgerecht Umbauen)
- Grant (455-B): individual measures 10 % of costs, max. €2,500 per residential unit; the “Age-Appropriate House” standard 12.5 %, max. €6,250.
- Loan (159): up to €50,000 per residential unit, low-interest and independent of age.
- Note: grant funds are capped by contingent – apply early and before the project begins.
Long-term care insurance fund – § 40 SGB XI
- Up to €4,180 per living-environment-improving measure (e.g. threshold removal) – from care level 1 (regardless of the level of care).
- Several people in need of care in the household: up to €16,720.
- Submit the application before construction begins; a decision is usually made within 3 weeks.
All information without guarantee; funding amounts and requirements may change – see sources for evidence.
Funding programmes compared
| Programme | max. funding | Requirement | Apply before start? |
|---|---|---|---|
| KfW 455-B (grant) | €2,500 (single measure) – €6,250 (standard) | regardless of age | Yes |
| KfW 159 (loan) | up to €50,000 | regardless of age | Yes |
| Care insurance fund (§ 40 SGB XI) | €4,180 per measure (up to €16,720) | from care level 1 | Yes |
As of 2026, without guarantee – see sources for evidence.
Frequently asked questions about funding
Removing thresholds and steps at the entrance is one of the funded measures (such as “threshold removal” or “paths to buildings”). A step-free facade connection falls under this.
A combination is possible for different cost shares of a project, but not for the same costs. We clarify the details with you on a per-project basis.
For the long-term care insurance fund (§ 40 SGB XI), at least care level 1 is a prerequisite; from care level 1 the grant is possible – regardless of the level. KfW funding, by contrast, is independent of age and accessible even without a care level.
Usually a cost estimate, often photos or sketches – and the application before construction begins. We supply you with the matching documents and the installation plan.
Sources
We supply the documents
Cost estimate and installation plan for your funding application – request your no-obligation quote.
