State funding NRW

NRW.BANK — housing funding NRW

NRW.BANK housing funding, modernisation and home-ownership programme — combinable with KfW 261 and listed-building depreciation. For investors in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bonn and the Ruhr area.

NRW.BANK programmes at a glance

NRW.BANK housing funding

Core programme for rental construction and modernisation. Low-interest loans with long terms. Relevant for Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bonn and the Ruhr area.

NRW.BANK modernisation programme

Energy and structural modernisation of rental flats — combinable with KfW 261. Especially attractive for listed stock in Cologne and Düsseldorf.

NRW.BANK home-ownership programme

Home-ownership funding for families with children in NRW — income-dependent. Available even in high-price locations such as Düsseldorf and Cologne.

NRW specifics for investors

Transfer tax 6.5% — together with Brandenburg, Thuringia and Saarland the highest rate in Germany. On a purchase price of €400,000: €26,000 transfer tax alone. Total ancillary costs approx. 9–12%.

Cologne: the largest NRW market, stable demand. Listed stock in the city centre and Ehrenfeld with refurbishment shares up to 90% — combinable with the NRW.BANK modernisation loan and KfW 261. High rental demand.

Düsseldorf: premium locations such as Oberkassel, Düsseltal, Pempelfort. Low vacancies, high rents. QNG new builds combinable with NRW.BANK too.

Ruhr area: Essen, Dortmund, Bochum — cheaper purchase prices, lower yield expectations. NRW.BANK structural-change programmes apply additionally here.

Application process NRW.BANK

  • Funding check: align NRW.BANK + KfW + bank loan + any listed-building depreciation
  • Application through the financing house bank
  • Document rent and occupancy commitments for NRW housing funding
  • Application sequence before the purchase contract or the start of the measure
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does the NRW.BANK fund?
Rental construction, modernisation, home purchase and energy refurbishment. For listed buildings in Cologne and Düsseldorf, the modernisation programme in combination with KfW 261 is especially relevant.
Why is the transfer tax in NRW so high?
At 6.5%, NRW is at the top level together with Brandenburg, Thuringia and Saarland. Budget for ancillary costs of 9–12% in the financing plan.
Are listed buildings in Cologne worthwhile?
Yes — refurbishment shares up to 90% for some properties, plus stable rental demand and good transport links. The combination of listed-building depreciation + KfW 261 + NRW.BANK modernisation loan is one of the most attractive models for top-rate taxpayers.

Check the funding for your project

I check state funding, the KfW combination and the right bank for your property — free, non-binding, in German and Russian.