
Financing for your smart home: How to cleverly increase comfort, security and property value
29.04.2025
9
Minutes

Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
A smart home promises a better 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 grants.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Financing a smart home can be arranged through home improvement loans, instalment loans or as part of property financing.
Government grants from KfW and BAFA can reduce investment costs by several thousand euros, especially when the focus is on energy efficiency and accessibility.
A smart home can increase property value by up to five per cent and reduce energy costs by up to 30 per cent.
Assess costs and value appreciation realistically
The cost of a smart home varies greatly depending on the level of ambition and the extent of connectivity. Simple starter packages with just a few wireless components are already available for under €300. For a comprehensive full package for a 150-square-metre new-build home, the cost can rise to over €40,000. This is offset by a potential reduction in energy costs of up to 30 per cent through intelligent heating and lighting control. Experts confirm that a well-planned smart home installation can increase property value by up to five per cent. This increase in value makes the investment attractive not only for personal use, but also for a potential resale. If the costs and benefits are clear, the choice of the right financing route comes into focus.
Choose the right financing option for your project
The modernisation loan as a targeted solution
For retrofitting a smart home system in an existing property, a modernisation loan is often a good option. Many banks offer these purpose-bound loans at lower interest rates than unsecured personal loans, often from as little as EUR 5,000. One key advantage is that for loan amounts up to around EUR 50,000, an entry in the land register is often not required. Such financing can often be applied for entirely digitally. If you would like to learn more about this option, you can find details in our guide to modernisation loans without land register entry.
The personal loan for maximum flexibility
A classic personal loan gives you complete flexibility, as the use of the loan amount is not tied to a specific purpose. You can use it both to buy the hardware for EUR 10,000 and to cover installation costs of EUR 3,000. This flexibility is ideal if you want to combine different components from different providers. You can use such a loan for any purpose to realise your project without restrictions. The terms typically range from 24 to 84 months.
Integration into property financing for new builds or major renovations
If you are planning a new build or carrying out a comprehensive renovation, integrating the smart home costs into the property financing is the most sensible approach. The additional EUR 15,000 to EUR 25,000 make less of an impact on the overall loan volume and benefit from the favourable mortgage interest rates. Plan these costs into your overall calculation from the outset to avoid the need for follow-up financing. In addition to the loan itself, you can significantly reduce the financial burden through government grants.
Use government funding to reduce the investment
KfW programmes for greater security and efficiency
The Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) supports you with low-interest loans if your smart home project meets certain criteria. The “Age-Appropriate Renovation – Loan (159)” programme supports measures that reduce barriers and increase living comfort. These include, for example, automated shutters, smart lighting or video intercom systems. You can receive a loan of up to €50,000 per residential unit to finance such comfort and security features. For energy-related measures, the “Residential Buildings – Loan (261)” is relevant, which also supports the installation of digital systems for optimising consumption.
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 measurement, control and regulation technology, such as smart radiator thermostats. The following points should be noted:
The grant amounts to 15 per cent of eligible costs.
The maximum eligible costs are €30,000 per residential unit per year.
With an individual renovation roadmap (iSFP), the eligible costs increase to €60,000.
The application must be submitted before work begins.
By combining KfW loans and BAFA grants, the total investment can be significantly reduced. Once the system has been financed and installed, the newly created value should also be appropriately protected.
Optimise the insurance cover for your smart home
A smart home increases the value of your property, which requires adjusting your insurance cover. By law, you are obliged to notify your insurer of such an increase in value (§ 23 VVG), in order to avoid underinsurance. Conventional contents and buildings insurance policies often only cover basic risks such as fire or escape of water. Specific risks of a smart home, such as damage caused by user error, power surges or cyberattacks, are often not included. A specialised 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 as part of your home and contents insurance helps you find the right policy for your individual needs. To successfully bring all these aspects together, a few tried-and-tested practical tips will help you.
Expert tips for a successful implementation
Good preparation is the key to successful financing and implementation of your smart home system. The following list summarises the most important recommendations:
Carry out a needs analysis: Define in advance exactly which goals you are pursuing – greater security, 20 per cent energy savings or simply comfort.
Compare systems: Choose between a closed system from a single manufacturer or an open, expandable standard such as KNX.
Combine financing and funding: First apply for any available grants from BAFA or KfW before signing a loan agreement.
Engage specialist contractors: Professional installation by certified tradespeople ensures functionality and is often a prerequisite for grants.
Keep documentation safe: Keep all invoices and planning documents carefully; they are important for insurance claims and resale.
Request your individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive specific suggestions for improvement.
More useful links
Statista provides a detailed outlook on the smart home market in Germany.
Another page from Statista shows forecasts for the development of smart home households in Germany.
The Federal Statistical Office provides a table on the equipment of German households with smart devices and systems.
Bitkom provides information in a press release on the spread of smart home applications in German households.
On Wikipedia you will 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 highlights the potential of smart homes for energy savings in an article.
FAQ
Which loan is best for retrofitting a smart home?
For retrofitting, a modernisation loan is often suitable, as it is earmarked for a specific purpose and usually offers lower interest rates than an unsecured personal loan. Up to an amount of around 50,000 euros, no entry in the land register is often required, which simplifies and speeds up the process.
Does my standard household contents insurance cover smart home devices?
Standard home contents insurance often only covers smart home devices against basic risks such as fire or burglary. Specific risks such as damage caused by operating errors, power surges or cyberattacks are usually not insured. A dedicated smart home add-on insurance policy is therefore strongly recommended.
Do I have to pay back funding such as that from KfW?
That depends on the programme. KfW generally offers low-interest loans (e.g. programme 159), which must be repaid in full. Sometimes these loans include repayment grants that reduce the loan amount. BAFA, on the other hand, provides grants only, which you do not have to repay.
Can I deduct the costs of a smart home from my taxes?
Craftsman services for the installation of a smart home system can be claimed for tax purposes under certain conditions. You can deduct 20 per cent of the labour costs (up to a maximum of 1,200 euros per year) from your tax liability. Material costs are not deductible.
What is more important: a wired or a wireless system?
Wired systems (e.g. KNX) are considered more stable and secure, and are a future-proof investment, but are particularly suitable for new builds or major refurbishments. Wireless systems (Wi-Fi, Zigbee) are more flexible, more affordable and ideal for retrofitting in existing properties, but can be more susceptible to interference.





