Financing for Your Smart Home: How to Cleverly Increase Comfort, Security, and Property Value
29 Apr 2025
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
A smart home promises improved quality of life and lower energy costs. However, the initial investment can be significant. We show you how to strategically plan the financing for a smart home system in your own home and benefit from government subsidies.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The financing of a smart home can be achieved through modernisation loans, personal loans or as part of construction financing.
Government funding from KfW and BAFA can reduce investment costs by several thousand euros, especially when focusing on energy efficiency and accessibility.
A smart home can increase the property value by up to five percent and reduce energy costs by up to 30 percent.
Die Umrüstung zum intelligenten Zuhause ist eine Investition in die Zukunft, die den Alltag komfortabler, sicherer und energieeffizienter macht. Viele Eigenheimbesitzer schrecken jedoch vor den anfänglichen Kosten zurück, die je nach Umfang mehrere zehntausend Euro betragen können. Eine durchdachte Strategie zur Finanzierung Ihres Smart Home Systems ist daher entscheidend. Dieser Artikel führt Sie durch die verschiedenen Optionen – von klassischen Krediten über attraktive staatliche Förderprogramme bis hin zum unverzichtbaren Versicherungsschutz. So stellen Sie sicher, dass Ihr Projekt auf einem soliden finanziellen Fundament steht und Sie die vollen Vorteile Ihres vernetzten Heims genießen können.
Realistically assess costs and value increase
The costs of a smart home vary greatly depending on the requirements and the extent of the networking. Simple starter packages with a few wireless components are available for under 300 euros. For a comprehensive full range in a newly built 150 square meter house, the costs can rise to over 40,000 euros. In contrast, there is a potential reduction in energy costs of up to 30 percent through intelligent heating and lighting control. Experts confirm that a well-thought-out smart home installation can increase the property value by up to five percent. This increase in value makes the investment attractive not only for personal use but also for a potential resale. When the costs and benefits are clear, the focus shifts to choosing the right financing method.
Choose the right type of financing for your project
The modernisation loan as a targeted solution
A modernisation loan is often suitable for retrofitting a smart home system in an existing property. Many banks offer these purpose-specific loans with more favourable interest rates than non-specific loans, often from a sum of 5,000 euros. A key advantage is that for loan amounts up to approximately 50,000 euros, no entry in the land register is usually necessary. Such financing can often be applied for completely digitally. If you would like to learn more about this option, you can find details in our guide on modernisation loan without land register entry.
The instalment loan for maximum flexibility
A classic instalment loan offers you full flexibility since the use of the loan amount is not tied to a specific purpose. With this, you can purchase the hardware for 10,000 euros and also cover installation costs of 3,000 euros. This flexibility is ideal if you wish to combine different components from various providers. Such a loan with unrestricted use can be used to realise your project without restrictions. The terms typically range from 24 to 84 months.
Integration into construction financing for new builds or major renovations
If you are planning a new build or conducting a comprehensive renovation, incorporating smart home costs into construction financing is the most sensible approach. The additional 15,000 to 25,000 euros are less significant within the total loan volume and benefit from favourable mortgage rates. Plan these costs from the outset in your overall calculation to avoid follow-up financing. In addition to simply taking out a loan, you can significantly reduce the financial burden through government subsidies.
Take advantage of government grants to reduce the investment
KfW Programmes for Enhanced Safety and Efficiency
The Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) supports you with low-interest loans if your smart home project meets certain criteria. The 'Age-appropriate Conversion – Loan (159)' programme promotes measures that reduce barriers and enhance living comfort. This includes, for example, automated shutters, intelligent lighting, or video intercom systems. You can receive a loan of up to 50,000 euros per residential unit to finance such comfort and security features. For energy measures, the 'Residential Building – Loan (261)' is relevant, which also supports the installation of digital systems for consumption optimisation.
BAFA Grants for Targeted Energy-saving Measures
The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) provides direct grants for individual measures that improve energy efficiency. This includes the installation of intelligent measuring, control, and regulation technology, such as smart radiator thermostats. The following points should be noted:
The grant amounts to 15 per cent of the eligible costs.
The maximum eligible costs are 30,000 euros per residential unit per year.
With an individual renovation roadmap (iSFP), the eligible costs increase to 60,000 euros.
The application must be submitted before the start of the measure.
Combining KfW loans and BAFA grants can significantly reduce the overall investment. Once the system is financed and installed, the newly created value must also be appropriately protected.
Optimise the insurance coverage for your smart home
A smart home increases the value of your property, requiring an adjustment to your insurance coverage. You are legally obliged to report such an increase in value to your insurer (§ 23 VVG) to avoid underinsurance. Traditional household and building insurance policies often only cover basic risks such as fire or water damage. Specific risks of a smart home, such as damage caused by user error, overvoltage, or cyber attacks, are often not included. A specialized smart home insurance provides the necessary protection here. These policies often also cover damage caused by a hacker attack on your connected devices. Expert advice within the framework of your home insurance helps to find the right policy for your individual needs. Some tried-and-tested practical tips can help you successfully link all these aspects.
More useful links
Statista offers a detailed outlook on the smart home market in Germany.
Another page by Statista presents forecasts on the development of smart home households in Germany.
The Federal Statistical Office provides a table regarding the equipment of German households with smart devices and systems.
Bitkom provides information in a press release about the spread of smart home applications in German households.
On Wikipedia, you can find a comprehensive article on home automation (in English).
The Bitkom Smart Home Chart Report 2022 offers detailed insights and data on the smart home market (PDF document).
The Öko-Institut explores the potential of smart homes for energy savings in an article.
FAQ
Welcher Kredit eignet sich am besten für die Nachrüstung eines Smart Homes?
Für die Nachrüstung eignet sich oft ein Modernisierungskredit, da er zweckgebunden ist und meist günstigere Zinsen als ein freier Ratenkredit bietet. Bis zu einer Summe von circa 50.000 Euro ist zudem häufig kein Grundbucheintrag erforderlich, was den Prozess vereinfacht und beschleunigt.
Deckt meine normale Hausratversicherung die Smart-Home-Geräte ab?
Die normale Hausratversicherung deckt Smart-Home-Geräte oft nur gegen Grundgefahren wie Feuer oder Einbruchdiebstahl ab. Spezifische Risiken wie Schäden durch Bedienfehler, Überspannung oder Cyberangriffe sind meist nicht versichert. Eine spezielle Smart-Home-Zusatzversicherung ist daher dringend zu empfehlen.
Muss ich Förderungen wie von der KfW zurückzahlen?
Das kommt auf das Programm an. Die KfW vergibt in der Regel zinsgünstige Kredite (z.B. Programm 159), die vollständig zurückgezahlt werden müssen. Manchmal enthalten diese Kredite Tilgungszuschüsse, die die Kreditsumme reduzieren. Das BAFA hingegen gewährt reine Zuschüsse, die Sie nicht zurückzahlen müssen.
Kann ich die Kosten für ein Smart Home von der Steuer absetzen?
Handwerkerleistungen für die Installation eines Smart-Home-Systems können unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen steuerlich geltend gemacht werden. Sie können 20 Prozent der Arbeitskosten (bis maximal 1.200 Euro pro Jahr) von Ihrer Steuerschuld abziehen. Materialkosten sind nicht absetzbar.
Was ist wichtiger: Ein kabelgebundenes oder ein funkbasiertes System?
Kabelgebundene Systeme (z.B. KNX) gelten als stabiler, sicherer und sind eine zukunftssichere Investition, eignen sich aber vor allem für Neubauten oder Kernsanierungen. Funkbasierte Systeme (WLAN, Zigbee) sind flexibler, günstiger und ideal für die Nachrüstung in Bestandsimmobilien, können aber störanfälliger sein.
