Stairlift grants 2026: An overview of all options
Long-term long-term care insurance fund, federal state, KfW and other organisations: here you can see who pays for what, the order in which you should proceed, and where it is worth looking for grants.
- Verified as at November 2026
- All 16 federal states
- Help with applying to the long-term care insurance fund
up to €4,180 from the long-term care insurance fund per person
up to €16,720 – household with 4 eligible persons
KfW 159 loan of up to €50,000
Proposal prior to the contract
Who pays for the stairlift?
The main source of funding is the long-term long-term long-term care insurance fund: for care levels 1 to 5, it can cover up to €4,180 per person. In addition, depending on the federal state, loans or grants may be available, as well as the KfW Loan 159. No new applications for the KfW grant 455-B have been accepted since 31 July 2026. Health insurance funds do not usually cover the costs. Submit all applications before placing your order.
As at November 2026. Edited by Regional-Treppenlift. Figures are for guidance only and are subject to change.
As of November 2026
| Long-term long-term care insurance fund | up to €4,180 per person |
|---|---|
| Several authorised users | up to €16,720 per household |
| KfW 159 | Loans of up to €50,000 |
| KfW 455-B | Applications have been suspended since 31 July 2026 |
| Health insurance | Generally, no financial assistance is available |
| Order | Enquiry prior to commission |
An overview of funding options
Not every option is suitable for every household. Start by contacting your long-term care insurance provider and then check with the other organisations.
Long-term long-term care insurance fund
Up to €4,180 per person with a care level as a measure to improve the home environment. Find out more
Federal state and local authority
Depending on the country, loans or grants are available, often subject to conditions and with limited funding. See the table below.
KfW Loan 159
A low-interest loan from your local bank for accessibility modifications. Find out more
Accident or work
Following accidents at work or on the way to or from work, the employers’ liability insurance association may be responsible; otherwise, it may be the accident insurance scheme.
Social Services
If you’re short of money, care allowance or integration support may be an option.
Tax
Tradesmen’s services or exceptional expenses may reduce your tax liability. Ask your tax adviser.
The correct order
- 1
Determine the level of care required
Without a care level assessment, you will not receive a grant from the long-term care insurance fund. Make sure you apply in good time.
- 2
Get a quote
Following the site survey, you will receive a quotation with clearly itemised costs.
- 3
Submitting applications
First the long-term care insurance fund, then the local authority and finally a loan. Please observe the relevant rules.
- 4
Awaiting a decision
If possible, do not place the order until afterwards and clarify any exceptions in writing.
- 5
Installation and certification
Please submit your invoice and supporting documents so that the grant can be paid out.
Financial support in the federal states
| Federal state | Position and programme | As at the time of our review |
|---|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | L-Bank: low-interest loan of up to €50,000 for families | Programme checked |
| Bavaria | BayernLabo: Building loans of up to €10,000 for people with severe disabilities | Programme checked |
| Berlin | Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB): IBB loans for landlords and housing associations | Programme checked |
| Brandenburg | Investment Bank of the State of Brandenburg (ILB): ILB grant of up to €14,000 per flat for people with severe disabilities | Programme checked |
| Bremen | Bremer Aufbau-Bank (BAB) | Please enquire directly |
| Hamburg | IFB Hamburg: IFB grant of up to €20,000 per flat | Programme checked |
| Hesse | WIBank | Please enquire directly |
| Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania | Landesförderinstitut M-V (LFI): LFI grant of up to €4,500 per dwelling | Programme checked |
| Lower Saxony | NBank | Please enquire directly |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | NRW.BANK: Modernisation loans with a repayment discount | Programme checked |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | ISB Rhineland-Palatinate: ISB loans of up to €100,000 with a possible repayment subsidy | Programme checked |
| Saarland | Saarländische Investitionskreditbank (SIKB) | Please enquire directly |
| Saxony | Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB): SAB grant of 80 per cent, usually up to €4,000 | Programme checked |
| Saxony-Anhalt | Investment Bank of Saxony-Anhalt | Please enquire directly |
| Schleswig-Holstein | Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein (IB.SH) | Please enquire directly |
| Thuringia | Thüringer Aufbaubank: ThüBaFF regional programme – enquire about the current status | Programme checked |
Schemes are subject to frequent change and funding may be exhausted. ‘Scheme verified’ means that, as of November 2026, we have found a source. The relevant authority’s information is always binding.
How the grant affects your contribution
Depending on the care level, the long-term long-term care insurance fund can contribute up to €4,180 per person. Select your situation.
Seat lift, straight
Seat lift, curved
Lift
Platform lift
Sample calculation with full subsidy. The long-term long-term care insurance fund decides on approval; the application must be submitted before the order is placed. Subsidy amount according to the Federal Ministry of Health, as at 14 September 2026.
Tips to ensure you actually receive the grant
Make the most of the full grant for the right lift, not for unnecessary extras. Ensure that each item is listed separately in the quote so that the long-term care insurance fund can easily classify the measure. Be specific in your justification: which rooms are no longer accessible, who provides support, and what will the stairlift make easier? Examples of this can be found on the Care Insurance Fund page.
If there are several people in the household with a care level, you should list them all, as this will increase the potential amount you can receive. If you live in rented accommodation, the landlord’s consent is required. If the care situation changes significantly at a later date, a further grant may become available. Please enquire with your long-term care insurance fund about this.
In the case of regional schemes, funds are often limited and rules are subject to change. You should therefore check directly with the funding body to see whether the scheme is currently running and whether your income or place of residence is a factor. For tax purposes, you should keep invoices and bank transfer receipts. Tradesmen’s services may be tax-deductible at 20 per cent of the labour costs, up to a maximum of €1,200 per year, provided that no other grant covers the same proportion. If in doubt, your tax adviser can clarify this for you.
Care advice centres offer free and independent advice. This is particularly worthwhile if there are several options to consider or if an application has been rejected. For care advice under Section 7a of Book XI of the Social Code (SGB XI), please contact your long-term care insurance fund.
Frequently asked questions about funding
Can’t find your question here?
We’d be happy to answer them personally and free of charge.
Call 0800 3562673How much financial assistance is available for a stairlift?
The long-term long-term long-term care insurance fund can cover up to €4,180 per person with a care level. If there are up to four eligible people living in the household, a total of up to €16,720 is available.
Does the health insurance cover the cost of a stairlift?
Generally speaking, no, because a stairlift is not classified as a medical aid. The long-term long-term care insurance fund is responsible.
Is the KfW grant 455-B still available?
No new applications have been accepted since 31 July 2026, as the funding for 2026 has been exhausted. Loan 159 continues to be processed through the customer’s own bank.
Am I eligible for financial assistance if I do not have a care level?
Not by the long-term long-term care insurance fund. However, a KfW loan, regional schemes and, depending on the situation, other funding bodies may be available.
Can I combine several grants?
Often yes, but not always. Check the conditions of each scheme and submit the necessary supporting documents for each application.
Can I order the stairlift before approval has been granted?
You should not do this without first consulting the relevant authorities. Otherwise, you may lose your grant. In urgent cases, please contact your long-term care insurance fund in writing.
You might also be interested in
Sources: Federal Ministry of Health, KfW. This does not constitute legal or financial advice.
We’ll sort out the grant with you.
The initial consultation is free of charge and without obligation. This applies even if you are enquiring on behalf of your parents.
