Are you planning to build a house and wondering what financial support was available to you in 2023? The funding landscape offered some attractive options. This article shows you how you could have optimally utilised the suitable home building grants in 2023.
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The topic briefly and concisely
The 2023 home construction subsidies focused heavily on climate-friendliness (KFN, EH40 standard) and family support (WEF) through low-interest KfW loans.
For maximum promotional loans of up to 270,000 euros (WEF) or 150,000 euros (KFN), the Quality Seal for Sustainable Buildings (QNG) was often required.
The early involvement of energy efficiency experts and the application before the start of construction were essential prerequisites for obtaining funding in 2023.
The dream of home ownership was also present for many in 2023, but rising costs and interest rates posed a challenge. Fortunately, the federal and state governments offered various house building subsidies 2023 to financially support homeowners. The focus was particularly on climate-friendly construction and family support. This article highlights the central funding programs of 2023 and explains how you could benefit from them to finance your construction project solidly while also contributing to environmental protection. Early and comprehensive information is the key to success.
An overview of home construction grants 2023
The year 2023 marked a realignment of government support for house construction in Germany. The federal government placed a clear focus on climate protection and family support. For builders, this meant engaging with programmes such as "Climate-Friendly Construction" (KFN) and "Home Ownership Support for Families" (WEF). These programmes offered low-interest loans instead of direct grants, requiring an adjustment in financing strategy. A thorough examination of individual requirements was essential to obtain funding. Knowing these details made it possible to realise significant financial benefits.
The Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) played a central role in granting these supports. Programmes like KFN (KfW 297/298) and WEF (KfW 300) were the main pillars of federal funding. Specific requirements, such as for the energy standard Efficiency House 40, needed to be closely observed. The early involvement of energy efficiency experts became mandatory. These experts not only assisted in the application process but also ensured compliance with the technical minimum requirements. Careful planning and advice, as offered by Auctoa through a funding check, could pave the way here.
Make optimal use of Climate-Friendly New Construction (KFN) 2023
The KfW programme "Climate-Friendly New Construction" (KFN), with numbers 297 and 298, launched on 1 March 2023. It offered low-interest loans of up to 150,000 euros per residential unit. The aim was to promote new constructions that met the Efficiency House 40 standard and did not use fossil fuel heating systems. A total of 750 million euros was available for the KFN programme in 2023. The appeal lay in the interest rates that were significantly below market level.
In order to receive KFN funding, specific conditions had to be met:
Achieving the Efficiency House 40 standard.
Keeping greenhouse gas emissions below certain levels over the building's lifecycle (according to QNG-PLUS requirements).
Heating with neither fossil fuels nor biomass.
Involvement of an energy efficiency expert for application and construction supervision.
For higher loan amounts (up to 150,000 euros), the "Sustainable Building Quality Seal" (QNG) was required.
The funding covered construction costs, technical installations, and costs for specialized planning and certification. Land costs were not covered. Comprehensive consultation on environmentally-friendly construction could help to meet these complex requirements.
Claim Home Ownership Subsidy for Families (WEF) 2023
Since 1 June 2023, the "Home Ownership for Families" programme (WEF), KfW 300, has been specifically supporting families. It replaced the "Baukindergeld" and offered interest-subsidised loans. The support was targeted at families with at least one minor child and a taxable annual income of a maximum of 90,000 euros (plus 10,000 euros for each additional child), as of October 2023. Over 75 percent of households in Germany were potentially eligible to apply.
The maximum loan amounts in the WEF programme varied according to the number of children and the standard achieved (up to 270,000 euros with a QNG seal). A requirement was the construction of a new or first-time purchase of an owner-occupied, climate-friendly residential building (Efficiency House 40) without fossil heating. The interest savings could amount to up to 50,000 euros compared to a normal bank loan. For 2023, the federal government provided 350 million euros for this. A detailed financial plan for buying a house is crucial here.
Understanding the Quality Seal for Sustainable Buildings (QNG) as a Key
The "Quality Seal for Sustainable Buildings" (QNG) played a central role in 2023 for higher funding amounts. It is an official quality seal from the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB). For the KFN and WEF funding programmes, achieving the QNG-PLUS or QNG-PREMIUM standards was a prerequisite for the maximum loan amounts of 150,000 euros (KFN) and up to 270,000 euros (WEF) respectively. The QNG considers the entire lifecycle of a building.
The QNG requirements include, among others:
Low greenhouse gas emissions over 50 years.
Low primary energy demand throughout the lifecycle.
Avoidance of pollutants in building materials.
Accessibility.
Sustainable sourcing of materials.
Certification is carried out by accredited bodies listed on www.qng.info. The involvement of a sustainability consultant and a QNG certification body was necessary for this funding level. The costs for this were part of the eligible total costs. An early engagement with the measures for energy efficiency is beneficial here.
Check additional funding opportunities and compatibility 2023
In addition to the major federal programmes KFN and WEF, there were further funding sources in 2023. The federal states offered their own programmes through their respective state development banks. These could often be combined with KfW loans as long as the total funding did not exceed the eligible costs. A search in the Federal Government's funding database (www.foerderdatenbank.de) could provide clarity here. The combination of different programmes could significantly reduce the financial burden.
Traditional funding options such as the home construction premium or the employee savings allowance could still be utilised in 2023 to build up equity. The income limit for the employee savings allowance in 2023 was 17,900 euros (for single individuals). For the home construction premium, it was 35,000 euros (for single individuals). The housing “Riester” was also an option to support building or purchasing, or to accelerate repayment, without income limits. A comprehensive financing consultation with Auctoa can help explore all options.
Application process and important deadlines 2023 to consider
Applications for KfW grants generally had to be submitted before the project commenced in 2023. The start of a project was considered to be the signing of a supply or service contract. An exception was made for planning and consulting services, which could already be carried out before the application was submitted. The involvement of an energy efficiency expert from the official list (www.energie-effizienz-experten.de) was mandatory for KFN and WEF. This expert prepared the necessary "Confirmation of Application" (BzA).
The loan application itself was not made directly with KfW, but through a financing partner – usually the main bank. Once KfW approval was granted, construction could begin or the purchase contract could be legally concluded. KfW, for instance, allowed up to 6 years for the implementation of the project in the case of KFN. Adhering to deadlines and correct procedures was crucial for securing funding in 2023. Professional mortgage advice can provide assurance here.
hausbau-foerderungen-2023
The Hausbau Grants 2023 offered significant financial support opportunities despite a complex environment. The clear focus was on energy efficiency and sustainability, which also reduces operating costs in the long term. Programs like KFN and WEF provided access to low-interest loans of up to 270,000 euros. The necessity to involve experts and meet high energy standards like EH40 and QNG underscored the shift towards sustainable building. Careful planning and using advisory services, such as the Auctoa Funding Check or the ImmoGPT Chat, were crucial to make the most of these opportunities. Those who built in 2023 could benefit significantly with the right strategy.
Additional useful links
The KfW provides comprehensive information on funding options for private individuals in the area of new construction.
On the pages of the KfW, you will find details about the funding product "Home Ownership for Families (300)".
The Federal Funding Database offers a detailed entry on the KfW Home Ownership Programme.
The Consumer Advice Centre provides an article on how to find the right funding programme for your home.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action provides information on its website about the Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings (BEG).
The Federal Government provides information on current measures to support new construction and renovation.
FAQ
What were the main support programs for house construction in Germany in 2023?
The central nationwide funding programmes for house construction in 2023 were the "Climate-Friendly New Construction" (CFNewC, KfW 297/298) for energy-efficient buildings and the "Home Ownership Promotion for Families" (HOPF, KfW 300) for families with children and certain income limits. Both offered low-interest loans.
What did I need to consider for the KFN Program 2023?
For the KFN program, you had to construct an efficiency house 40, were not permitted to use fossil fuels for heating, and had to comply with greenhouse gas emissions according to QNG-PLUS requirements. An energy efficiency expert was mandatory. Loans up to 100,000 euros or 150,000 euros with a QNG seal were possible.
Who could receive the home ownership grant for families (WEF) in 2023?
In 2023, families with at least one minor child and a taxable annual income of up to 90,000 euros (plus 10,000 euros for each additional child) were able to apply for WEF funding for the construction or first-time purchase of a climate-friendly owner-occupied home (EH40).
Were there still direct grants for new construction in 2023?
The federal new construction funding in 2023 primarily focused on low-interest loans via the KfW (KFN and WEF). Direct repayment grants, as seen in previous programs, were no longer available for new constructions. Municipalities could potentially receive investment grants under the KFN program.
Could house construction grants be combined in 2023?
Yes, KfW funding programs such as KFN or WEF were often combinable with state funding programs in 2023, provided the total funding did not exceed the eligible costs. However, a combination of KFN and WEF for the same measure was excluded.
Where did I find information about regional housing grants in 2023?
You could find information on regional funding programs of the federal states and municipalities in 2023 via the state promotional institutes and the Federal Government's funding database at www.foerderdatenbank.de. These often offered complementary support to the federal programs.
