The KfW 455 "Altersgerecht Umbauen" program provides direct grants to German property owners who retrofit homes and apartment buildings to improve accessibility and security. Smart video intercom and access control systems can qualify. Here's how the program works, what qualifies, and how to document your intercom system for the application.
What Is the KfW 455 Program?
KfW 455 — "Altersgerecht Umbauen — Investitionszuschuss" — is a federal grant program for retrofitting existing homes to be more accessible and secure for elderly and mobility-impaired residents. It provides direct subsidies (not loans) of up to 10% of eligible costs, with a maximum of €2,500 per dwelling unit, and a maximum of €50,000 per application (for multi-unit buildings).
The eligible measure categories include: bathroom adaptation, stair lifts, door widening — and "Einbruchschutz und Kommunikation" (burglary protection and communication), which covers smart video intercom systems, electronic access control, and smart lock retrofits that improve security and accessibility simultaneously.
Which Smart Intercom Features Qualify?
The KfW technical guidance for Category 7 (Einbruchschutz) focuses on measures that remove barriers for residents with reduced mobility — particularly replacing physical key systems with remote-access solutions that can be operated without approaching the door physically:
- Video door station with app-based door release — resident can see and speak to visitor and release the door from anywhere via smartphone. Reduces the need for an elderly or mobility-impaired resident to physically approach the entrance door for every visitor.
- SIP-based intercom panels — integrating with the resident's existing telephone or smartphone for voice/video communication with the entrance panel
- Electronic access control (keypad, RFID, NFC) — eliminating the need to carry and use a physical key, which can be difficult for residents with arthritis or reduced dexterity
- Remote door release — allowing caregivers, family members, or building management to open the door for a resident without a physical key
Application Process — Step by Step
Documentation Trudian Provides for KfW Applications
Installers and property owners purchasing Trudian video intercom systems for a KfW 455 application receive:
- CE Declaration of Conformity (EU DoC) — confirms CE marking compliance
- CE RED and CE EMC test reports from CNAS-accredited lab
- Product data sheet with technical specifications
- Barrier-free suitability statement (Barrierefreiheits-Erklärung) confirming the system's suitability for DIN 18040-2 accessible building design
- Installation guide in German language
Combining KfW 455 with BAFA and State Programs
KfW 455 can be combined with other programs in many cases:
- BAFA Bundesförderung Energieberatung: If your intercom retrofit is part of a broader energy efficiency renovation, the energy consultant (Energieberater) fee may be subsidized by BAFA.
- State-level programs (Länder): Bavaria, NRW, Baden-Württemberg, and Berlin operate complementary programs for residential modernization. Check your state housing authority (Wohnraumförderungsstelle) for current programs.
- KfW 159 (Altersgerecht Umbauen — Kredit): The loan version of the program, for larger projects where the grant maximum is insufficient.
Realistic Grant Amount for a Typical MDU Intercom Project
For a 20-unit apartment building retrofitting a SIP video intercom system (entrance panel + 20 in-unit monitors + access control):
- Typical installed cost: €8,000–€15,000 (hardware + certified installer)
- Eligible portion: 80–100% of system cost typically qualifies
- Grant: 10% of eligible costs × 20 dwellings = up to €2,500 × 20 = €50,000 maximum
- Realistic grant at 10% of €12,000 project: €1,200 — this is the amount that applies to the system cost, before the per-dwelling cap
The €2,500/dwelling cap means the per-dwelling grant is typically the binding constraint for high-specification systems. For a modest SIP intercom retrofit, the grant often covers 8–15% of the total project cost — meaningful but not transformative. The primary value is making the project viable for property owners who are budget-constrained.
Frequently Asked Questions: KfW 455 Smart Intercom for German Properties
KfW 455 (Altersgerecht Umbauen — age-appropriate conversion) is a German federal grant program administered by KfW Bankengruppe that subsidizes barrier-free and accessibility modifications to residential properties. Smart intercom and access control systems qualify when they reduce physical barriers to building entry: video intercoms with remote door release (allowing residents to grant access without going to the door), smart locks with app-based or keypad access eliminating physical key use, and entrance systems accessible to wheelchair users. The grant covers up to 10% of eligible project costs, with a maximum grant of €5,000 per residential unit.
Before. KfW 455 grant applications must be submitted and approved before work begins — retrospective applications for already-completed installations are not accepted. The application is submitted through a KfW-accredited energy consultant (Energieeffizienz-Experte) or through a participating bank. After approval, work must begin within 12 months and be completed within 36 months of grant approval. Submit the application at least 4–8 weeks before planned installation to allow for processing time. Beginning work before grant approval results in automatic rejection of the application.
Required supplier documentation for KfW 455 applications includes: CE Declaration of Conformity (mandatory — the product must be CE-marked), technical datasheet confirming the product meets accessibility requirements (remote door release, video monitoring, compliance with DIN 18040-2 where applicable), installation manual in German (or certified translation), and product specifications confirming compatibility with existing building infrastructure. Trudian provides CE documentation package including DoC, RED test reports, and technical datasheet in English with German translation support for KfW project requirements.
Yes, with restrictions. KfW 455 can be combined with BAFA (Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle) grants for energy efficiency measures if the scope of work is distinct — the same costs cannot be claimed under both programs. State-level (Bundesland) accessibility grants can typically be stacked with KfW 455 as they are separate funding sources. Some municipalities offer additional accessibility subsidies. The total subsidy from all sources combined cannot exceed the total eligible project cost. A KfW-accredited energy consultant can advise on optimal grant stacking for specific projects.
For a typical 20-unit MDU intercom retrofit in Germany: eligible project costs (hardware + certified installation) approximately €8,000–15,000. KfW 455 grant at 10%: €800–1,500 for the building-level application, or up to €5,000 per unit if individual unit owners apply separately for in-unit modifications (smart lock on apartment door). For whole-building intercom replacement projects applied for at building level, the grant is calculated on total eligible costs with a €50,000 maximum eligible cost per building. Projects combining entrance intercom (shared area) with apartment door smart locks (individual units) maximize total grant potential by combining building-level and unit-level applications.
DIN 18040-2 (barrier-free building — residential buildings) sets requirements for accessible building design including entrance systems. KfW 455 does not mandate DIN 18040-2 compliance as a hard requirement for all products, but the installation must demonstrably improve accessibility and barrier reduction. Practically, video intercoms should have: display screen at wheelchair-accessible height (850–1,050 mm), clear audio with adjustable volume, large touch targets or physical buttons, and remote door release capability. KfW-accredited consultants assess whether the specific installation meets the program's accessibility improvement criteria — confirm eligibility with the consultant before specifying hardware.
KfW 455 requires installation by a qualified tradesperson (Fachunternehmen) — self-installation by the property owner does not qualify for the grant. For smart intercom and access control systems, qualified installers include licensed electricians (Elektroinstallateur), security system installers (Sicherheitstechniker), and building services engineers. The installer must provide a completion certificate (Handwerkerrechnung) itemizing materials and labour separately, as KfW requires this documentation for grant disbursement. System integrators and security installers who regularly work on MDU access control projects are the appropriate channel for KfW-eligible intercom installations.
Supply CE-Certified Intercom for German KfW Projects
Trudian SIP video intercom systems carry CE RED, CE EMC, and RoHS 3 certification. German-language documentation and barrier-free suitability statements provided for KfW 455 applications. B2B distributor pricing available.