KfW says new applications for the 455-B accessibility grant are closed because funds are exhausted. The 159 programme is a separate loan route; a renovation budget must distinguish an approved grant from money that must be repaid.
Can a homeowner apply for KfW 455-B now?
The KfW 455-B programme page, checked on 13 September 2026, says the funds are exhausted and new applications cannot be submitted. Existing applications continue to be processed, and confirmed awards remain reserved. A possible reopening depends on future federal funding; no reopening date is promised.
| Programme | Funding form | Status checked 13 September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 455-B | Grant | Closed to new applications |
| 159 | Loan | Listed by KfW as an alternative, subject to conditions and available funds |
Do not subtract an unapproved grant from the money needed to complete a bathroom renovation. A historical article announcing programme reopening does not prove that applications remain open when a contractor is appointed.
What does the KfW 159 loan offer?
The KfW 159 programme page lists up to EUR 50,000 per dwelling for qualifying barrier-reduction or burglary-protection work. Applications go through a financing partner, and funding is subject to the programme conditions and available budget. A loan is repayable finance, not a discount on the renovation invoice.
KfW instructs applicants to speak with a financing partner before concluding supply, service or purchase contracts; specified conditional-contract arrangements have separate rules. Do not add a condition after signing and assume that the timing problem has disappeared. Confirm the permitted sequence with the financing partner before committing.
Which documents should a renovation funding file contain?
A useful funding file connects the existing problem, proposed work, technical requirements and itemised quotation so that the same scope can be reviewed by the designer, contractor and financing partner. The checklist below is an organisational aid; it does not replace the documents required by the selected programme.
| Record | Question the record should answer |
|---|---|
| Existing layout and measurements | Which barrier is being removed? |
| Proposed drawing | What changes, and which clearances remain? |
| Technical requirement reference | Which programme condition applies? |
| Itemised quotation | Which costs belong to the proposed measure? |
| Application and contract dates | Was the required sequence followed? |
| Approval or financing offer | What amount and conditions are actually confirmed? |
Keep optional furnishings separate from building measures. KfW's 159 FAQ excludes fitted kitchens and furniture; a kitchen purchase is not automatically eligible because the household also undertakes barrier-reduction work.
How should funding be shown in a household budget?
A household budget should show the full project cost, confirmed non-repayable support, the proposed loan and the remaining cash requirement as separate lines. Keep an unapproved grant outside the funded total. For a loan comparison, request the effective rate, term, repayment schedule and all stated charges from the financing partner.
- Define the barrier-reduction scope before requesting finance.
- Compare quotations against the same drawings and exclusions.
- Check the live programme status before signing.
- Record the financing decision and its conditions.
- Retain invoices and completion evidence under the applicable programme rules.
Use the DIN 18040-2 planning reference for dimensional context and the renovation cost reference for quotation comparisons. Meeting a design standard does not automatically prove funding eligibility.
Download the worksheet
The CSV worksheet contains the comparison rows from this page and can be opened in a spreadsheet. Save a dated copy with the source documents, replace illustrative inputs with the project figures, and keep the assumptions visible when sharing a calculation.
Frequently asked questions about costs and subsidies in Germany
The answers below repeat the figures and legal references from the article in short form, so that each answer can be read on its own.
- Is KfW 455-B open to new applications?
- The KfW page checked on 13 September 2026 says new applications are closed because funds are exhausted. Check the live page before planning an application.
- Is programme 159 a grant?
- No. Programme 159 is a loan, with up to EUR 50,000 per dwelling subject to conditions. Repayment belongs in the household budget.