Baukindergeld in Germany: Can You Apply in 2026 and What Alternatives Exist
Find your route
3 quick steps
Baukindergeld in Germany can no longer be applied for as a new federal subsidy. In 2026, the KfW 424 program is closed to new applications: it only remains relevant for families whose support was already approved and whose payments continue under the old rules.
If a family is planning to buy housing now, they should look not at Baukindergeld, but at current financing programs: KfW 300 for climate-friendly new construction, KfW 308 Jung kauft Alt for buying older housing followed by energy renovation, KfW 124 for owner-occupied housing, and, in some cases, BEG / KfW 261 for renovation.
Baukindergeld in 2026: is the program still active
The short answer: for new buyers, no. On KfW’s Baukindergeld page, it is explicitly stated that this Zuschuss can no longer be requested. Access to the portal and forms remains for existing recipients: they can view documents, change bank details, upload confirmations, and handle issues related to an old application.
| Program | Status in 2026 | Type of support | Who it is relevant for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baukindergeld, KfW 424 | new applications are not accepted | subsidy | only old approved cases |
| KfW 300 Wohneigentum für Familien - Neubau | active | preferential loan | families with children, new construction or first buyer of a new property |
| KfW 308 Jung kauft Alt | active | preferential loan | families with children, purchase of older housing with mandatory renovation |
| KfW 124 Wohneigentumsprogramm | active | preferential loan | purchase or construction of owner-occupied housing |
| BEG / KfW 261 | active under the program terms | energy-efficiency loan with a possible subsidy | renovation or purchase of an energy-efficient property |
The main difference from the old Baukindergeld is that today federal support more often works through a cheaper loan rather than a non-repayable payment per child.
Who still receives Baukindergeld
Existing recipients can continue receiving payments if the conditions of their approval remain in place. According to KfW, further payments continue during the remaining period, and the child count is determined as of the day the old application was submitted. A child born after the application was submitted cannot be added to an existing application.
What mattered under the old rules
- the housing had to be the family’s first owner-occupied residential property in Germany;
- the property had to be used for the family’s own residence;
- the family had to have at least one child under 18 on the application date;
- for that child, there had to be Kindergeld eligibility, meaning the right to child benefits in Germany;
- the family had to own at least 50% of the property;
- the purchase or construction cost had to be higher than the total subsidy amount;
- after moving in, residence registration was required.
Baukindergeld was not a mortgage. It was a subsidy: 1,200 euros per year for each counted child for up to 10 years, meaning up to 12,000 euros per child.
| Children in the old application | Payment per year | Maximum over 10 years |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,200 euros | 12,000 euros |
| 2 | 2,400 euros | 24,000 euros |
| 3 | 3,600 euros | 36,000 euros |
| 4 | 4,800 euros | 48,000 euros |
| 5 | 6,000 euros | 60,000 euros |
The historical taxable income limit was 90,000 euros for one child plus 15,000 euros for each additional child. In older cases, income was checked using tax assessments for the relevant years, not only by current salary.
| Children | Historical taxable income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | 90,000 euros |
| 2 | 105,000 euros |
| 3 | 120,000 euros |
| 4 | 135,000 euros |
| 5 | 150,000 euros |
These figures matter only for understanding the old program and already approved cases. For a new home purchase in 2026, they do not provide the right to a new application.
Obligations of an existing Baukindergeld recipient
If the subsidy has already been approved, the closure of the program for new applications does not cancel the recipient’s obligations. KfW continues to check whether the conditions of the old approval are being met.
The recipient must:
- use the property as their main or sole Wohnsitz;
- keep the family’s ownership share at no less than 50%;
- inform KfW if the property is sold, rented out, no longer used for the family’s own residence, or if there is a move;
- use KfW forms when bank details change;
- keep documents and respond to KfW requests regarding the existing application.
If the family moved out, sold the property, or stopped living there themselves, further payments may stop. In some situations, KfW may carry out an individual review, for example when transferring the subsidy to another property or changing the recipient after a separation, but this is not an automatic right.
What replaced Baukindergeld
There is currently no direct federal payment “per child when buying housing.” Instead, families more often consider preferential KfW loans. These programs work differently: the application usually begins before the purchase or before the start of the financed project, not after moving into housing that has already been bought.
KfW 300: Wohneigentum für Familien - Neubau
KfW 300 is suitable for families with children and single parents who build or buy a new climate-friendly property for their own residence. The program depends on family income, number of children, and the building’s energy standard.
Key conditions for 2026:
- at least one child in the household;
- family taxable income of no more than 90,000 euros for one child plus 10,000 euros for each additional child;
- for applications in 2026, KfW uses the average income from the 2024 and 2023 tax assessments;
- the property must meet the klimafreundliches Wohngebäude requirements; for the higher loan limit, QNG, Qualitätssiegel Nachhaltiges Gebäude, is required;
- interest rates are not fixed in the article because KfW changes them according to market conditions and locks in the rate on the approval date.
| Children | Maximum family income | Maximum loan without QNG | Maximum loan with QNG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 90,000 euros | 170,000 euros | 220,000 euros |
| 2 | 100,000 euros | 170,000 euros | 220,000 euros |
| 3 | 110,000 euros | 200,000 euros | 250,000 euros |
| 4 | 120,000 euros | 200,000 euros | 250,000 euros |
| 5 and more | 130,000 euros plus 10,000 euros for each additional child | 220,000 euros | 270,000 euros |
QNG is not just a “good house,” but a verifiable sustainable construction standard. Such an application usually requires an energy-efficiency expert and a sustainability construction consultant.
KfW 308: Jung kauft Alt
KfW 308 is intended for families who buy existing residential property and commit to carrying out energy renovation. This is an important alternative for those for whom new construction does not fit the budget or location.
Main conditions:
- at least one child under 18 in the household on the application date;
- the income limit follows the same basic logic: 90,000 euros for one child plus 10,000 euros for each additional child;
- the property must be existing residential real estate for owner occupancy;
- at the time of application, the property must have energy efficiency class F, G, or H according to the Energieausweis;
- after the purchase, the building must be brought within the required timeframe to at least the Effizienzhaus 70 EE standard;
- KfW 308 itself finances the purchase, not all renovation costs; for renovation work, BEG / KfW 261 is often checked separately.
| Children | Maximum KfW 308 loan |
|---|---|
| 1 | 100,000 euros |
| 2 | 125,000 euros |
| 3 and more | 150,000 euros |
Before buying an older property, the family should order or review the energy performance certificate in advance and discuss the renovation with an Energieeffizienz-Experte. Without class F, G, or H, the program is not suitable.
KfW 124 and BEG / KfW 261
KfW 124 is a more general loan for buying or building housing for owner occupancy. It is not a direct replacement for Baukindergeld and is not tied to children in the same way as KfW 300 or KfW 308, but it can be used as part of the overall financing structure.
BEG / KfW 261 relates to energy-efficient renovation or the purchase of an already renovated Effizienzhaus. For families following the Jung kauft Alt route, this block often becomes a separate topic in the financial plan.
It is also worth checking regional programs from the state, city, or local Förderbank. In Germany, housing support often depends on the Bundesland, municipality, type of property, and family income.
How to apply for current programs
You cannot submit a new Baukindergeld application. For old recipients, the KfW-Zuschussportal remains the place for the existing subsidy, but new family loans are arranged differently.
KfW 300, KfW 308, and KfW 124 are usually arranged through the financing partner: a bank, Sparkasse, Bausparkasse, or mortgage broker. An important practical point is that an application for a KfW loan usually has to be integrated into the financing before the purchase or before the project begins, not sought retroactively.
Action plan for a family in 2026
- Determine the scenario: new construction, purchase of a new property, purchase of older housing with renovation, or a regular purchase for owner occupancy.
- Check the tax assessments for 2024 and 2023: these are usually needed to calculate average income for a 2026 application.
- Before signing the contract, discuss with the bank which KfW programs can be included in the financing.
- For KfW 300, find out in advance whether the property meets the klimafreundliches Wohngebäude requirements and whether QNG is needed.
- For KfW 308, check the Energieausweis and the practical feasibility of renovation to Effizienzhaus 70 EE.
- Separately assess costs for the notary, Grundbuch, Grunderwerbsteuer, realtor, repairs, and a reserve for unexpected work.
- Before applying, check the current rates and Merkblatt of the selected program on the KfW website.
What to check before making a financing decision
- Do not treat Baukindergeld as an available new subsidy.
- Do not compare 12,000 euros per child directly with a preferential loan: these are different instruments.
- Do not sign a purchase contract until the bank confirms how and when KfW financing will be included.
- Do not rely on an old Energieausweis without checking the class and date.
- Do not forget that KfW’s interest rate and the bank’s terms may differ from examples on the internet.
- If income will be low after the purchase, also check Wohngeld / Lastenzuschuss, but do not mix this support up with a purchase subsidy.
FAQ
Can you get Baukindergeld if the home is being bought in 2026?
No. New Baukindergeld applications are not accepted. For a new purchase, you need to check current KfW loans and regional programs.
If old Baukindergeld has already been approved, will the payments continue?
Yes, if the conditions of the old approval remain in place. KfW states that recipients can continue receiving payments under the existing application, but they must inform KfW if they move out, sell the property, or stop using it as their own residence.
A child was born after the old application was submitted. Will they be added to Baukindergeld?
No. According to KfW, the number of children is determined on the date the old application was submitted.
Do KfW 300 or KfW 308 provide money that does not need to be repaid?
No. These are preferential loans. The family repays the loan, and the benefit comes through the financing terms. The exact rate has to be checked on the date of application.
What is the most important thing to do before buying?
First check the income, the property, the energy standard, and whether KfW financing is possible through the bank. For KfW programs, a timing mistake in the application can cost you the right to support.
