KfW · refurbishment

KfW 261 — energy-efficient refurbishment

Up to €150,000 loan for energy refurbishment — combinable with listed-building depreciation financing. Repayment subsidy up to 45% (€67,500).

Programme profile 261

Terms and application

€150k max per residential unit
45% max repayment subsidy
€67,500 maximum subsidy
EH 40 highest-subsidy standard

Important: application sequence. KfW funding lapses if applied for retroactively. I make sure the application sequence is correct — this is the most common and most expensive mistake when financing buy-to-let property.

KfW 261 for investors: what you need to know

Combining with state funding: KfW 261 can be combined with most state development programmes — IBB Berlin, SAB Saxony, NRW.BANK, L-Bank Baden-Württemberg and others. That gives up to three financing components for a single refurbishment. I coordinate the application sequence and deadline management so that no funding lapses.

Energy requirements: the better the Efficiency House standard achieved, the higher the repayment subsidy: EH 40 up to 45%, EH 55 up to 20%, EH 70/85 up to 10%. An iSFP (individual refurbishment roadmap) raises the subsidy by 5 percentage points and improves bankability.

Especially relevant for listed buildings: many listed-building refurbishments meet the KfW 261 requirements. The combination of listed-building depreciation §7i + KfW 261 + bank loan is one of the most tax-attractive models for investors. The application must be filed before construction starts.

Who can apply for KfW 261? Private individuals, companies and homeowner associations for residential buildings in Germany. The application always runs through the financing house bank — never directly with the KfW.

Model calculations

Example financings

KfW 261 · refurbishment · detached house

Detached house Münster — full refurbishment

  • Purchase price€280,000
  • Refurbishment cost€65,000
  • KfW 261€65,000 / ~1.07% eff.
  • Bank loan purchase€240,000
  • Energy class before/afterH → C
  • Total instalment~€1,700
  • Heating-cost saving~€2,400/yr

Model calculation without guarantee.

KfW 261 · flat built 1972 · Cologne

Flat Cologne — windows & heating

  • Property value€240,000
  • Refurbishment measureswindows + heat pump
  • Cost€32,000
  • KfW 261€32,000 / ~1.07% eff.
  • KfW instalment~€230/month (10 yrs)
  • Energy class before/afterG → E

Model calculation without guarantee.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

When does the KfW 261 application have to be filed?
Before the refurbishment measure begins — a retroactive application is rejected. I coordinate the application sequence so that KfW and bank financing are aligned.
Can I combine KfW 261 with state funding?
Yes — KfW 261 can be combined with many state development programmes (IBB Berlin, SAB Saxony, NRW.BANK and others). The exact combination depends on the property and the measure.
How high is the repayment subsidy under KfW 261?
Up to 45% of the loan amount when reaching the Efficiency House 40 standard. For Efficiency House 55: up to 20%. The exact tiering depends on the Efficiency House standard.
What is an iSFP and do I need it for KfW 261?
An individual refurbishment roadmap (iSFP) is not mandatory, but it raises the repayment subsidy by 5 percentage points. It documents the refurbishment path and strengthens the property’s bankability.

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