Demographic change in Germany necessitates a closer look at age-appropriate forms of housing. According to forecasts from the Federal Statistical Office, by 2035 one in four inhabitants will be at least 67 years old. This development is accompanied by the desire of many to spend their retirement in familiar home surroundings. However, this often requires structural adjustments to properties to meet changing needs.
With increasing age, requirements for living spaces change. Although the space needed often reduces, the necessity for barrier-free access and design increases. Current data from the 2022 microcensus show that people over 65 years old have an average of 68.5 square metres of living space available, while younger age groups occupy between 44.7 and 54.8 square metres. Many existing buildings have structural obstacles such as steps, narrow doors or inadequately sized bathrooms, which restrict freedom of movement. According to GdW, the leading association of the housing industry, there is currently a shortage of up to 2.5 million largely barrier-free dwellings in Germany.
Barrier-free access as a multi-generational standard
For new builds or the acquisition of modernised properties, it is advisable to consider barrier-free access and flexible room usage from the outset to enable long-term self-occupancy. In existing properties, targeted conversion measures can maintain habitability even with reduced mobility. Examples include the removal of steps and thresholds, as well as the widening of doors to allow the use of rollators or wheelchairs. All generations benefit from such structural adaptations: open-plan layouts, walk-in showers and wide entrances are contemporary and offer practical advantages for families with small children too. For properties that have become too large, setting up an annex can serve as an option, either for support or as an additional source of income.
Funding opportunities and planning aids
Planning an age-appropriate conversion requires a structured approach. First, a precise needs analysis is necessary to identify the biggest everyday obstacles and set priorities. Subsequently, financing issues come to the fore. Various funding opportunities must be considered, and applications for these must be made before construction begins. Qualified specialist companies are essential for implementing the measures, particularly with regard to eligibility for funding.
The state development bank KfW offers the programme 'Altersgerecht Umbauen' (Age-Appropriate Conversion), which provides low-interest loans of up to 50,000 EUR per dwelling unit. This also applies to rental properties and the acquisition of already modernised properties. From April 2026, state subsidies for barrier-reducing construction measures can also be applied for at KfW. The Federal Ministry of Construction has allocated 50 million EUR for this purpose. In addition, regional funding programmes exist in the federal states, which often include income-dependent grants or loans. The Landesbausparkassen offer advisory services and assist with applications to KfW. The LBS modernisation cost calculator also provides an initial indication of the costs for barrier-reducing measures.
