Energy-efficient homes

Sustainable homes for a brighter future

Smaller carbon footprint

Homeowners will enjoy living in a sustainable home that helps to lower their carbon footprint with each passing year.

Valuable Investment

Energy-efficient homes are only likely to rise in desirability in the coming years.

Lower utility costs

Benefit from lower ongoing utility costs with little or no requirement to use traditional heating systems.

Low-waste home building

Energy-efficient home building has been encouraged in Germany for some time. This affects both self-builders and property developers with the various loans, tax breaks, and grant schemes available in the country. As such, sustainable apartment building is quite common, so anyone wanting to purchase an eco-friendly apartment can do so by choosing the right development. This makes eco-friendly new-build apartments particularly attractive for first-time homebuyers.

Passive house standards

The system for energy-efficient construction in Germany rates homes according to how much energy they'll need to draw upon from external sources. A so-called 55 house is named as such because it will never need than 55 percent of its energy to be drawn from the grid compared to a reference – or standard – home. A 40 house, on the other hand, will never need more than 40 per cent of its energy needs to be catered for externally. Passive building designs try to get this figure as low as possible and 40 plus house designs are increasingly common nowadays. In short, a 40 house is more energy-efficient than a 55 house.

Subsidies, loans, and grants

In Germany, the various funding streams for loans and grants designed to encourage greater energy efficiency in new homes was rationalised in 2021. Now, the Kreditförderung (KfW) takes care of nearly all residential projects. Starting from July, houses that meet the KfW energy-efficient standards described above can receive up to 50% of funding for new-build designs, modernisation efforts, and renovations of exisitng residential units. KfW loans and grants of up to €37,500 are possible for 40 plus house designs. A 55 house design could mean KfW loans of up to €26,250 are available. Overall, the maximum amount of eligible costs to be covered will be increased from €120,000 to €150,000 per house. To learn more about how to apply for this grant, please visit the KfW website (German only).

Eco-friendly apartments

If you are seeking an eco-friendly apartment to buy, then find one that is part of a sustainable development where the entire building's design uses sustainable materials and energy saving technologies. Party walls as well as external walls should be well insulated, for example. Doors should close automatically to keep warm air trapped inside and some green energy generation, such as solar panels, should be included in the development, as well.

Tax incentives

Retro-fitting energy-efficient measures in existing homes is encouraged in Germany, too. Homeowners who want to upgrade their property are able to deduct 20% of the costs of approved technologies, such as improved windows and external doors, from their personal tax liability to make a more sustainable home to live in.

Speak with an expert

Your personal real estate consultant can help you buy, finance or sell a property - free of charge.

By proceeding you agree to our privacy policy.

Frequently Asked Questions
2023
Immowelt-Partner EVERESTATE GmbH

Your privacy is important to us

Cookies are used on our website. Some of these cookies are necessary for the basic functioning of the website and therefore cannot be deactivated (“Necessary cookies”). In addition, we use statistical and marketing cookies to help us provide you with a better experience by improving the website based on statistical analysis and to display advertisements according to your interests. These cookies are only used if you give your consent.
You can learn more about the individual cookies under Manage preferences and in our Privacy Policy.