Can students or BAföG recipients receive the full heat pump grant?
Yes, absolutely normally! BAföG recipients as property owners are fully eligible for KfW funding. There is no separate "BAföG grant", but you can make full use of the regular KfW 270 / 458 funding. Here you'll learn everything important for 2026, simple, clear, with all current figures.
KfW 270 / KfW 458 (formerly BEG EM) is the central funding program for installing a heat pump. As a property owner, even if you receive BAföG, you can apply for the full KfW funds. It's a direct grant that you don't have to pay back.
Important for BAföG recipients: KfW does NOT check your income or BAföG receipt. The funding is tied to the property, not to your personal income. That means: even if you only receive 10 EUR of BAföG, or none at all, you get the full funding of up to 70% (max. 21,000 EUR).
KfW 270 / 458: Up to 70% funding
Max. eligible costs: €30,000 per residential unit
Max. grant: €21,000 (with full utilization of all bonuses)
⚠️ Important: BAföG & KfW funding at the same time?
Yes! Technically, the KfW funding counts as a "contribution to housing costs" and is usually NOT counted as income for BAföG. But: ask your BAföG office whether you need to prove your capital assets (allowance: 15,000 EUR for single people).
30% base bonus
20% replacement bonus (gas/oil replacement)
20% efficiency bonus (at JAZ ≥ 4.0, ground-source heat pumps or high-quality air-water models)
Note: You can also apply for the income bonus (up to 30%) if your household income is below 40,000 EUR. As a student, that is often possible since you have hardly any income.
Anyone who installs a heat pump in an existing residential building, including BAföG recipients, students, or young property owners.
Special case with WEGs (homeowners' associations): If you own a condominium in a WEG, the WEG can apply for the funding, but you must be registered as the owner in the land registry.
Important: The application must be submitted to KfW BEFORE construction begins (contract signing with installer). Retroactive applications are not approved. Tip: Use our heat pump calculator beforehand to calculate your individual funding amount.
Max studies in Berlin and inherited a small terraced house (120 m²). His old gas heating (JAZ 0.85) is broken. He applies for:
Max saves 16,800 EUR and effectively pays only 7,200 EUR for a modern, climate-friendly heating system. The payback period is about 5-6 years thanks to the gas heating costs saved.
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Open free calculator now →Sarah (24) studies in Berlin, receives 112 EUR of BAföG (after the 2022 BAföG reform) and inherited a small terraced house (built 1998, 110 m²). She wants to replace the old gas heating (JAZ 0.82) with a heat pump.
1. Investment costs: 22,000 EUR (air-water heat pump, 12 kW, incl. hydraulic balancing)
2. BAföG income: 112 EUR/month = 1,344 EUR/year (far below the 40,000 EUR limit)
3. KfW funding:
4. Sarah's own contribution: 22,000 EUR - 15,400 EUR = 6,600 EUR
5. KfW loan (optional): Sarah can additionally take out a low-interest KfW loan (program 270) of 20,000 EUR to cover the 6,600 EUR.
Sarah effectively pays: 0 EUR (with full loan use) to 6,600 EUR (with equity).
No! The KfW funding counts as a "earmarked grant for housing improvement" and is usually not counted as income by the BAföG office. Sarah keeps her claim to the 112 EUR/month.
BAföG recipients may have assets of up to 15,000 EUR (allowance). The funding itself (15,400 EUR in the account) is earmarked and usually not counted toward assets, but ask the BAföG office whether you need a "proof of assets" confirmation.
❓ Do I get less funding as a BAföG recipient?
No! KfW does not look at your income or BAföG receipt. Every property owner can use the full funding.
❓ Does the grant also apply to small apartments or condominiums?
Yes, up to €30,000 per residential unit. Funding is also possible for condominiums or in a WEG (condominium association).
❓ Do I have to submit the application myself?
Your heating installer or an energy consultant usually helps you with this. The application runs completely digitally via "Meine KfW".
❓ How quickly does the money arrive?
After submitting invoices and proofs, usually within 3–6 months directly to your account.