The federal funding programme "Bundesförderung für effiziente Gebäude" (BEG) was created by combining previous federal programmes aimed at promoting energy efficiency and renewable energies in the building sector in Germany. Since 1 July 2021, sustainable buildings with a DGNB Certification and the fulfilment of the additional requirements of the quality label "Qualitätssiegel Nachhaltiges Gebäude" (QNG) are eligible for funding through the BEG.
Currently, this applies to two of the total of four BEG sub-programmes:
- Nichtwohngebäude (BEG NWG) - renovation of non-residential buildings to become an efficiency building
- Klimafreundlicher Neubau (BEG KFN) - new construction of residential and non-residential buildings
How can you secure BEG funding in cooperation with the DGNB? And what do you have to bear in mind? Here we answer the most important questions about the German federal funding for efficient buildings in connection with DGNB Certification.
A recording of our info event on 4 May 2023 can be found at the bottom of this page.
Please note that we are referring to the status of BEG funding and the funding programme "Klimafreundlicher Neubau" with QNG valid since 1 March 2023.
What you need to know about BEG funding with QNG and DGNB Certification
The QNG is a state quality label for buildings that ensures the fulfilment of general and special requirements for the ecological, socio-cultural and economic quality of buildings. Those who prove that they have the quality label for their renovation or new construction project benefit from better funding conditions in the BEG NWG and BEG KFN programmes. To obtain the QNG with the DGNB, a building must be certified and meet the special requirements of the QNG (in German).
The DGNB is an accredited certification body with the DGNB System as the registered rating system for the
- Quality label variant QNG-WG23 (new construction of residential buildings) and
- Quality label variant QNG-NW23 (new construction and complete modernisation of non-residential buildings).
Detailed information on the QNG quality label variants and the registered rating systems for sustainable construction can be found here on the information portal (in German) of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Construction (Bundesministerium für Wohnen, Stadtentwicklung und Bauwesen).
- For new construction projects with BEG KFN, the KfW provides preferential loan conditions for private and commercial applicants.
- For renovation projects with BEG NWG, private and commercial applicants can apply for the loan option with a repayment subsidy.
- Municipalities can choose between a loan with a repayment subsidy or a grant for renovation projects with BEG NWG.
- For new construction projects with BEG KFN, municipalities can only apply for the grant.
Applications for BEG NWG and BEG KFN funding must be submitted to the KfW. You will find all the information you need on their website (in German).
In addition to promoting sustainability, DGNB Certification offers many other benefits: Sustainable buildings are more valuable, with lower operating and maintenance costs. The DGNB Certificate increases the chances of selling or renting a building, as the high quality of a building becomes visible to owners and users.
At the same time, you are making an active contribution to protecting our environment: DGNB-certified buildings are built in a way that conserves resources, contributes less to greenhouse gas emissions and can largely be returned to the raw materials cycle.
Briefly summarised
Find out how to obtain BEG funding with the DGNB Certificate incl. QNG. We presented the current status in a digital information event on 4 May 2023 (in German):
- DGNB press release (in German) of 8 October 2021
- Statement by the DGNB of 29 April 2022 | Download (in German)
Continuously updated information on the QNG can be found on the information portal "Qualitätssiegel Nachhaltiges Gebäude" of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Construction (Bundesministerium für Wohnen, Stadtentwicklung und Bauwesen): www.qng.info (in German)
Questions about the QNG Certification Specifications can be answered by the QNG hotline:
Please send your questions by e-mail to fragen@qng.info or call the QNG Hotline (contact information can be found here).
Those interested in funding with questions about the funding procedure (e.g. how to apply, funding requirements, funding amounts, etc.) are kindly asked to contact the KfW:
Service number (free of charge): +49 800 539 9007
Funding conditions for the "Bundesförderung für effiziente Gebäude" (BEG) as well as information on how to apply and the approval procedure can be found on the KfW website (in German).
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz) answers frequently asked questions here (in German).