Financing façade insulation: How to reduce costs and energy consumption
23 Jul 2025
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
External wall insulation can reduce your heating costs by up to forty percent. However, the initial investment is high. Discover how you can significantly reduce costs through government grants and smart financing models, while increasing the value of your property.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The cost of facade insulation ranges between 20 and 350 euros per square meter but can reduce heating costs by up to 40 percent.
State subsidies from BAFA cover 15 percent of the costs; with a renovation road map (iSFP), even 20 percent of up to 60,000 euros.
The BAFA grant can be combined with a KfW supplementary loan (up to 120,000 euros) since 2024, which makes financing easier.
Steigende Energiepreise und neue gesetzliche Vorgaben rücken die energetische Sanierung von Gebäuden in den Fokus vieler Eigentümer. Eine der wirksamsten Maßnahmen zur Effizienzsteigerung ist die Fassadendämmung. Sie reduziert nicht nur den Wärmeverlust um bis zu 40 Prozent, sondern verbessert auch das Wohnklima und steigert den Immobilienwert. Dieser Artikel führt Sie durch die verschiedenen Optionen zur Finanzierung einer Fassadendämmung, von staatlichen Zuschüssen bis zu zinsgünstigen Krediten, und zeigt Ihnen, wie Sie Ihr Projekt wirtschaftlich und nachhaltig umsetzen.
Overview of the costs and benefits of façade insulation
Investing in facade insulation often pays off through reduced energy costs after just a few years. The costs vary significantly depending on the method, ranging from 20 to 350 euros per square meter. For example, an external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) costs between 120 and 200 euros per square meter. For a facade area of 100 square meters, this corresponds to an investment of 12,000 to 20,000 euros. However, insulation can save you up to 40 percent of your heating costs. Moreover, the Building Energy Act (GEG) mandates insulation if you renew more than ten percent of the facade area. A well-thought-out construction financing is therefore the first step towards realisation. The investment not only protects against high energy costs but also safeguards the value of your property for the future.
Government Grants: The Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings (BEG)
The government supports your project with attractive grants through the Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings (BEG). The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) provides a subsidy of 15 percent for individual measures such as facade insulation. The eligible costs are capped at 30,000 euros per housing unit per year, which corresponds to a maximum subsidy of 4,500 euros. Our expert tip: Use an individual refurbishment roadmap (iSFP). This increases the subsidy rate to 20 percent, and the eligible costs double to 60,000 euros. This way, you can receive a grant of up to 12,000 euros. Hiring an energy efficiency expert is mandatory for the application, but it is also subsidised by 50 percent. You must apply for these grants before construction work begins. Proper planning is crucial to securing the maximum funding for your home and living.
Credit options for financing the remaining costs
Even after subsidies have been deducted, there often remains a substantial funding requirement. For this purpose, the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) offers special promotional loans. Since 2024, the BAFA grant can be combined with the KfW supplementary loan (358/359), which provides up to €120,000 per residential unit. For owner-occupiers with a household income of up to €90,000, there are additional interest benefits. As an alternative to the grant, you can opt for the KfW 261 loan for a comprehensive renovation to an efficient house, which may include a repayment grant of up to €67,500. Another option is a traditional modernisation loan for energy-saving refurbishment, which is often granted without a land registry entry. Comparing the terms is essential to find the right financing solution.
Tax depreciation as an alternative to direct funding
If you do not take advantage of direct grants or subsidised loans, you can make the costs for façade insulation tax deductible. You can deduct 20 percent of the expenses from your tax liability over a period of three years. The maximum tax reduction is 40,000 euros per property. In the first and second year, you can deduct seven percent of the costs each year (a maximum of 14,000 euros), and in the third year, six percent (a maximum of 12,000 euros). It is important to note that this tax incentive cannot be combined with other public funding such as BAFA grants or KfW loans. Therefore, you must choose one option. This is particularly suitable for owners who fully fund the renovation themselves and have a high tax burden. From 2025 onwards, new model certificates are expected to simplify the tax process.
Expert tips for maximum savings
To fully exploit the potential of your financing, you should be aware of some advanced strategies. Our expert tip: Combine measures for higher funding limits. If you insulate the roof or install new windows in addition to the façade, you can set the eligible costs for each individual measure separately and thus maximise the overall funding. An eco-credit for sustainable investments can be a useful addition here. Also pay attention to the U-value: For funding, the thermal transmittance of the new insulation must not exceed 0.20 W/(m² K). More generous limits apply to listed buildings. Long-term planning, such as through a home savings contract for future renovations, can also provide financial security and ease implementation.
Conclusion: An investment that pays off multiple times
Financing facade insulation is a smart decision for the future of your property. It not only sustainably reduces your energy costs by up to 40 percent but also increases living comfort and the value of the building. Through the clever combination of BAFA grants, KfW loans, and tax benefits, the initial investment costs of up to €20,000 for an average single-family home can be significantly reduced. Professional advice helps you find the optimal financing mix for your project and make the most of all funding opportunities. This makes energy-efficient renovation an economically attractive undertaking.
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More useful links
The KfW provides detailed information on funding for facade insulation as part of the energy-efficient renovation of existing properties for private individuals.
The Federal Environment Agency provides current data on energy consumption for buildings as an important environmental indicator.
On Gesetze im Internet, you can find the full text of the Building Energy Act (GEG), which regulates the energy requirements for new constructions and renovations.
The Consumer Centre offers comprehensive information on the insulation of roofs, facades, and basements for effective energy saving.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides tables on the energy consumption of private households.
The German Energy Agency (dena) offers a modernization guide with valuable tips for energy-efficient renovation.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) answers frequently asked questions about thermal insulation.
The Federal Environment Agency provides a document with questions and answers on the topic of thermal insulation.
FAQ
Wie hoch ist die Förderung für eine Fassadendämmung?
Sie erhalten einen Grundzuschuss von 15 Prozent vom BAFA. Mit einem individuellen Sanierungsfahrplan (iSFP) steigt der Zuschuss auf 20 Prozent der förderfähigen Kosten von maximal 60.000 Euro, was einer Förderung von bis zu 12.000 Euro entspricht.
Welche Kredite gibt es für die Fassadendämmung?
Die KfW bietet den Ergänzungskredit (358/359) mit bis zu 120.000 Euro, der mit dem BAFA-Zuschuss kombinierbar ist. Alternativ gibt es für Komplettsanierungen den Kredit KfW 261 mit Tilgungszuschüssen.
Muss ich für die Förderung einen Energieberater beauftragen?
Ja, die Einbindung eines zertifizierten Energieeffizienz-Experten ist für die Beantragung der Bundesförderung für effiziente Gebäude (BEG) eine zwingende Voraussetzung. Die Kosten für diese Beratung werden ebenfalls zu 50 Prozent bezuschusst.
Was ist der iSFP-Bonus?
Der iSFP-Bonus ist ein zusätzlicher Förderanreiz. Wenn die Fassadendämmung Teil eines zuvor erstellten individuellen Sanierungsfahrplans (iSFP) ist, erhöht sich der Fördersatz von 15 auf 20 Prozent und die anrechenbaren Kosten steigen von 30.000 auf 60.000 Euro.
Kann ich die Fassadendämmung von der Steuer absetzen?
Ja, alternativ zur BAFA/KfW-Förderung können Sie 20 Prozent der Sanierungskosten (maximal 40.000 Euro) über drei Jahre von der Steuer absetzen. Eine Kombination mit anderen Förderungen ist jedoch ausgeschlossen.
Welche technischen Anforderungen gibt es für die Förderung?
Um förderfähig zu sein, muss die gedämmte Fassade einen Wärmedurchgangskoeffizienten (U-Wert) von maximal 0,20 W/(m²K) erreichen. Für denkmalgeschützte Gebäude gelten abweichende, weniger strenge Anforderungen.
