How to make your house and apartment barrier-free

Up to 50,000 euros possible

KfW is once again promoting barrier-free living

Wider doors, floor-level showers, elevators: There is now money from the state again for many renovations. Those who plan in good time can secure attractive subsidies.

The funding includes many measures around the house and apartment. These include wider paths, the removal of steps or barrier-free parking spaces in the outdoor area. The entrance area can also be supported – for example, if you remove obstacles, create more space for movement or install weather protection such as a canopy. Within the building, KfW primarily supports measures that help you overcome differences in height: such as elevators, stair lifts, ramps or additional handrails.

Renovations to the apartment itself are also eligible for funding. For example, you can move walls, widen doors or remove annoying thresholds. Even balconies or terraces can be accessed barrier-free. In the bathroom, KfW supports, among other things, floor-level showers or modernized sanitary facilities such as toilets and sinks.

You can also receive money for technical assistance – for example for smart home applications, emergency call systems or easy-to-use switches and handles. This technique can help you make everyday life safer and easier. As a rule, both material and labor costs are eligible, such as expenses for craftsmen or specialists as well as the resulting VAT.

If you rent, you will have to involve the landlord in many renovations. As soon as a measure interferes with the building structure or structurally changes the apartment, you usually need his consent. This applies to larger interventions such as a floor-level shower, wider doors, the removal of thresholds or the installation of a stair lift.

However, the landlord cannot simply reject such renovations across the board. He must weigh up the interests and can only object for valid reasons – for example if safety is at risk, escape routes are blocked, fire protection suffers or other tenants are seriously affected. Smaller adjustments such as grab handles or an emergency call system are often possible without formal approval as they do not change the building structure.

You apply for the subsidy directly from KfW. Important: You must submit the application before you start the renovation. If you build first and only worry about funding afterwards, you will usually come away empty-handed. According to mortgage experts, this is one of the most common mistakes.