Financing a stairlift: Here's how to secure up to €4,000 or more for accessible living
9 Jun 2025
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
Is the staircase becoming an insurmountable obstacle? This doesn't have to mean the end of independence in your own home. Discover how you can secure funding for a stairlift for accessible living and save thousands of euros in the process.
The topic in brief and concise terms
With a recognized care level, you can apply for a subsidy of up to 4,000 euros for a stairlift from the care fund.
The remaining costs, after deducting grants, can be claimed as an extraordinary burden for tax purposes, which requires a medical certificate.
Applications for funding must always be submitted before purchasing and installing the stairlift to avoid losing the entitlement.
Wenn jede Stufe zur Herausforderung wird, beeinträchtigt das die Lebensqualität erheblich. Ein Treppenlift kann die entscheidende Lösung sein, um im vertrauten Zuhause mobil und unabhängig zu bleiben. Die Kosten von mehreren tausend Euro sind jedoch für viele eine große Hürde. Dieser Artikel zeigt Ihnen praxisnah, welche Fördertöpfe und Finanzierungswege Ihnen offenstehen. Wir führen Sie durch die Anträge bei der Pflegekasse sowie der KfW-Bank und erklären, wie Sie verbleibende Kosten steuerlich geltend machen, um die finanzielle Belastung deutlich zu senken.
Secure subsidy: The long-term care insurance as the first point of contact
The most important component for financing a stairlift is the long-term care insurance. From care level one onwards, you can apply for a grant for home improvement measures. The care insurance fund grants up to 4,000 euros per eligible person for the installation.
If two people with a care level live in a household, the possible grant doubles to 8,000 euros. The maximum grant for a household is 16,000 euros for four eligible persons. It is important to submit the application for a cost subsidy before purchasing and installing the lift. Approval after the fact is generally excluded. For smooth processing, good preparation is crucial, to which an appropriate supplementary care insurance can contribute. Proper planning in advance is thus the first step towards successful financing.
State support programs: Check loans from KfW Bank
Another pillar of financing is the programmes by the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). The well-known grant programme "Age-appropriate conversion – Investment Grant (455-B)" is unfortunately currently suspended due to a lack of federal funds. It is currently not possible to apply for this direct subsidy of ten percent of the costs. However, it is advisable to keep an eye on the KfW website in case the programme is reactivated.
As an alternative, KfW offers the promotional loan "Age-appropriate conversion (159)". With this loan, you can finance up to 50,000 euros for a barrier-free conversion. This loan is available regardless of age and is also accessible to tenants. It is an excellent way to close a financing gap after deducting other grants. A modernisation loan for conversion can be a useful addition here. You should ask KfW or your house bank directly for the exact conditions.
Take advantage of tax benefits: Deduct remaining costs as extraordinary expenses
Once all grants are exhausted, you can claim the remaining costs of the stairlift on your taxes. The expenses are considered as exceptional burdens in the tax declaration. This requires a medical certificate to prove the medical necessity of the lift.
The tax office deducts a so-called reasonable burden from the total costs, the amount of which depends on your income, marital status, and number of children. For example, if the costs for the lift are 8,000 euros and your grant from the nursing care fund is 4,000 euros, you can claim the remaining 4,000 euros. It's important that received grants must be deducted from the total costs before declaring them in the tax return. The remaining amount can noticeably reduce your tax burden and is an often overlooked opportunity to reduce monthly expenses. This way, the financial burden is spread across multiple shoulders.
Practical Implementation: A Guide for Application Submission
A structured approach is crucial for the success of your applications. Follow the correct sequence to avoid missing out on funding. Here is a recommended procedure:
Apply for a care level: If not already done, submit an application for classification under a care level with your care insurance fund. This is the basic requirement for the subsidy.
Obtain offers: Obtain at least two to three detailed quotes from different stairlift suppliers.
Apply at the care insurance fund: Submit your application for "home modification measures" along with the quotes to the care insurance fund.
Wait for approval: Only start the installation after you have received the written approval from the care insurance fund.
Arrange remaining financing: Check if a loan for the stairlift is necessary to cover the remaining costs.
This step-by-step approach ensures you make the most of all financing options.
More useful links
The KfW provides information on funding for reducing barriers in existing properties.
The KfW presents its funding product "Age-Appropriate Conversion – Investment Grant (455)" for existing properties.
The Federal Ministry of Health provides information on grants for home adaptations within the framework of home care.
Under Laws on the Internet, you will find § 40 SGB XI, which regulates benefits for home adaptations.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides a table on the topic of barrier-free living.
The Consumer Centre offers important information on the planning and implementation of stair lifts.
The German Rheumatism League publishes an article on assistance for overcoming stairs without a lift.
The Federal Association for Home Adaptation offers comprehensive information on home adaptations.
The VdK provides information in an article about the suitability of stair climbing aids for everyday and emergency use.
FAQ
Wie hoch ist der Zuschuss der Pflegekasse für einen Treppenlift?
Die Pflegekasse bezuschusst wohnumfeldverbessernde Maßnahmen wie einen Treppenlift mit bis zu 4.000 Euro pro Person mit anerkanntem Pflegegrad. Leben mehrere anspruchsberechtigte Personen im Haushalt, kann der Zuschuss auf bis zu 16.000 Euro ansteigen.
Gibt es aktuell einen KfW-Zuschuss für Treppenlifte?
Nein, das Zuschussprogramm KfW 455-B für barrierefreie Umbauten ist derzeit ausgesetzt, da keine Bundesmittel zur Verfügung stehen. Als Alternative bietet die KfW den zinsgünstigen Kredit 159 „Altersgerecht Umbauen“ an.
Welche Unterlagen benötige ich für den Antrag bei der Pflegekasse?
Für den Antrag benötigen Sie in der Regel einen Nachweis über Ihren Pflegegrad, eine Beschreibung der geplanten Maßnahme und mindestens einen Kostenvoranschlag eines Fachunternehmens für den Treppenlift.
Was bedeutet „zumutbare Belastung“ bei der steuerlichen Absetzung?
Die „zumutbare Belastung“ ist ein Eigenanteil, den Sie selbst tragen müssen, bevor sich außergewöhnliche Belastungen steuermindernd auswirken. Die Höhe wird vom Finanzamt festgelegt und richtet sich nach Ihrem Einkommen, Familienstand und der Anzahl Ihrer Kinder.
Können auch Mieter einen Zuschuss für einen Treppenlift beantragen?
Ja, auch als Mieter können Sie einen Zuschuss bei der Pflegekasse beantragen. Sie benötigen jedoch die Zustimmung Ihres Vermieters für den Einbau des Treppenlifts.
Was passiert, wenn mein Antrag auf einen Zuschuss abgelehnt wird?
Gegen einen ablehnenden Bescheid der Pflegekasse können Sie innerhalb eines Monats schriftlich Widerspruch einlegen. Es ist ratsam, den Widerspruch gut zu begründen und gegebenenfalls weitere Nachweise, wie ein ausführlicheres ärztliches Gutachten, beizufügen.
