The German Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) announces the start of the Effizienzhaus 55-Plus funding programme. From 16 December 2025, applications can be submitted for KfW loans that support construction or first-time purchase of residential buildings meeting Effizienzhaus 55 standard with heat supply based entirely on renewable energy sources. The programme is limited in time and financed with a total budget of €800 million.

The scheme offers interest-subsidised loans, with example effective interest rates below prevailing market levels for different maturities and fixed-interest periods. Funding covers up to €100,000 per housing unit, and projects must be ready for construction but not yet started at the time of application. Fossil fuels such as gas and oil are excluded, while solutions such as heat pumps, district heating, solar thermal systems and biomass are eligible. The loans must be drawn within 12 months, with possible extension of the drawdown period, and the programme ends once funds are exhausted