Financing and subsidising barrier-free showers
- Care insurance funds (for those with a care level) grant a generous subsidy of up to €4,000 (from January 2015)
- Health insurance companies cover the costs of aids (shower chair, stool, grab rails, etc.)
- KfW Bank grants favourable loans for barrier-reducing conversion measures
- Federal states promote remodelling for greater accessibility
Tips on funding from care insurance, health insurance, KfW Bank and other options.
You can find further examples in our shower gallery.
Grants for the barrier-free bathroom
A level-access shower is not only modern, timeless and stylish, but also offers you very practical benefits. Making your new bathroom completely barrier-free when remodelling is certainly also a question of money. However, conversion measuresfor barrier-free, disabled-friendly living and age-appropriate construction are well subsidised - whether by the health insurance company, the federal states or a particularly favourable loan.
Who guarantees subsidies or financing and which measures are subsidised?
Conversion for accessibility and age-appropriate conversions are generously subsidised in some cases. Health insurance funds, care insurance funds and also by the kfW.
Subsidies from the care insurance fund
- Subsidy for care level up to €2557 (from 2015 even €4000)
- The installation of level-access showers, among other things, is subsidised
- Apply for the subsidy before the conversion work is carried out
Who does the care insurance fund support?
So that you and your relatives can live independently for as long as possible, certain remodelling measures are subsidised by the care insurance fund. The prerequisite for this is that you or a person living with you are assigned to a care level. You must fulfil certain conditions for this - it is also worth finding out more about care levels here.
Which remodelling measures are subsidised?
Care insurance companies subsidise the installation of bath access aids, non-slip tiles or floor coverings, the construction of a level-access shower and the installation of height-adjustable washbasins and toilets. Even consultancy costs and labour costs are eligible for subsidies.
How much subsidy does the care insurance fund grant?
Up to three conversion measures per year and person in need of care are subsidised with up to €2557 each (as of October 2014). All changes required at the same time count as one remodelling measure. From January 2015, costs of up to €4000 per remodelling measure will even be covered. Your building costs will become more manageable.
If several people in need of care live together in a flat or house, the subsidised amount is added up by the number of people, but the maximum subsidy is available for four people in need of care within one measure. From 2015, this can even add up to €16,000. If there are more than four applicants, the subsidy is distributed evenly.
We recommend that you obtain information from your care insurance fund in advance andapply for the subsidy before the conversion.
Coverage of the costs by the health insurance company
Subsidies from the health insurance company
- Aids (e.g. shower chair, wall brackets, bath lift) are financed
- Aids must be prescribed by a doctor
- Apply for cost coverage before purchasing
You are entitled to aids from your health insurance company. These can be, for example, grab rails next to the toilet, floor/ceiling rails, a bath lift or a shower chair. The aid must be prescribed by your doctor, only then can you apply for a subsidy or cost coverage from your health insurance company.
We recommend that you enquire with your health insurance company before purchasing the aid.
Promotion of the conversion through favourable loans from kfW-Bank
Funding from the kfW Bank
- Loans are granted for the creation of level-access showers, among other things
- regardless of age
- Effective annual interest rate of only 1%
- Compliance with DIN standard 18040-2 is mandatory
The kfW-Bank promotes "age-appropriate remodelling" with loan 159. The loan is guaranteed for so-called barrier-reducing measures, such as the creation of level-access showers. The subsidy is not dependent on age and attracts an effective annual interest rate of just 1%. The dream of an age-appropriate, barrier-free bathroom can therefore be realised regardless of age.
In order to obtain the loan, youmust comply with the requirements of DIN standard 18040-2 (barrier-free building) when renovating.
We recommend that you also visit the kfW-Bank website for more information:
Details at www.kfw.de (external link)
Further tips and advice on financing an accessible bathroom
State funding programmes
Each federal state has its own regulations for subsidising barrier-free conversions. The housing subsidy programmes are quite complex - the subsidies vary depending on the measure and location - but it is still worth finding out more on the website of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs:
Social assistance
If you receive social assistance (ALG2 or basic income support), you canapply to your local authorityfor a subsidy to convert your bathroom to make it suitable for disabled people. The necessity must be confirmed by an employee of the local health authority.
Are conversions tax-deductible?
In most cases, it is possible to deduct the disabled-friendly bathroom conversion from tax as an "extraordinary expense". It is best to speak to your tax advisor about this.
What should tenants do when planning a barrier-free bathroom?
Tenants are entitled to a barrier-free bathroom conversion. Of course, you need the consent of your landlord and have to bear the costs yourself. According to tenancy law, however, it is difficult for the landlord to refuse the measure.
We would be happy to advise you on the selection, planning and installation options for a floor-level, barrier-free shower.
Further information