Asbestos removal

1. overview

Since 2024, the GEG renovation obligation has driven a wave of renovations to existing buildings. Anyone replacing heating or adding insulation inevitably encounters asbestos and other hazardous substances (PCB, KMF, PAK, lead). At the same time, the revised Gefahrstoffverordnung (December 2024) has tightened approval requirements. The market is high-priced, regionally fragmented and virtually unoccupied by platform providers.

2. Legal framework

Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV)

• Amendment December 2024 (in force 05.12.2024): introduction of the risk-based measures concept under TRGS 910, three risk categories (low / medium / high)
• New from 20.12.2025: Official approval is now also required for demolition work with low and medium asbestos risk (previously notification only)
• Deemed approval: If the authority does not respond within 4 Wochen, approval is granted automatically
• Approval validity period: 6 Jahre, then a new application
• From 5 December 2027: authorities require proof of competence for all employees as part of the notification

TRGS 519, key technical rule

• Applies to all demolition, remediation and maintenance work (ASI work) involving asbestos
• Notification requirement: 7 Tage before work begins, to the competent authority. For urgent work, the authority may shorten the period
• High-risk work: Permitted only by approved specialist companies (approval by the Gewerbeaufsichtsamt / Regierungspräsidium)
• Last amendment: GMBl 2025, p. 144-145, 28.02.2025

Who may do what?

3. authorities (responsibilities)

The occupational health and safety authority at the company's registered location is responsible for approval as a specialist company (high risk / loosely bound asbestos). The authority at the construction site location is responsible for notification of each individual project.

For disposal: approved disposal companies in each federal state (declaration analysis + approved landfill site). Consignment note requirement as hazardous waste (AVV 17 06 01*).

4. A provider types & prices

Type 1: Competent remediation company (main provider)

• Carries out the actual removal of hazardous substances
• Requires specialist company approval for high-risk work
• Contract value: 3.000 to 50.000 EUR (typical detached house: 8.000 to 25.000 EUR)
• Prices per m²: 50 to 350 EUR depending on material and installation location
• Per room: from 1.500 EUR (removal + disposal)

Type 2: Hazardous substances assessor / expert

• Produces a hazardous substances register, oversees measures and takes on site management
• Full detached-house report: 1.500 to 2.500 EUR
• Simple inspection + sampling + report: 500 to 1.500 EUR
• Simple material sample + analysis (including travel + sampling): 300 to 500 EUR
• The price rises with the number of material types examined; each material type requires at least one sample

Type 3: Asbestos laboratory / analytical laboratory

• Analyses samples for asbestos fibre content
• Laboratory analysis per sample (laboratory costs only): 80 to 250 EUR
• Indoor air measurement for hazardous substances: up to 1.200 EUR

Price examples by material

5. process for owners

1. Suspected contamination: appoint a hazardous substances assessor
2. Sampling, laboratory analysis (80 to 250 EUR/sample)
3. Report with hazardous substances register (1.500 to 2.500 EUR)
4. Risk classification (low / medium / high)
5. Notification to the competent Gewerbeaufsicht (at least 7 Tage before work starts); from 20.12.2025, approval required for low and medium risk (transitional period for companies until 19.12.2026)
6. Appoint a specialist company (for high risk: only officially approved companies)
7. Remediation with protective measures under TRGS 519
8. Clearance measurement
9. Disposal with consignment note (AVV 17 06 01*)
10. Keep documentation permanently

6. funding & legal matters

Funding

There is no direct state funding for asbestos remediation alone. The following routes are possible:

BAFA / BEG: Asbestos remediation is eligible for funding if it arises in the course of an energy-efficiency measure (e.g. asbestos-cement facade during insulation work, asbestos roof during roof renovation + PV). Funding via BEG Einzelmaßnahmen (BEG EM). Note: new funding conditions take effect under the BEG reform from 21.07.2026,. Applications under the old conditions were possible until 20.07.2026. Check the specific effects on combinations involving asbestos remediation.

KfW: No direct asbestos funding. A combination is possible through KfW 261 (Bundesförderung effiziente Gebäude) where asbestos remediation is part of an overall project.

§ 35a EStG, tradespeople's services: 20 % of labour costs deductible, maximum 1.200 EUR/year. Also applies to asbestos remediation. Cannot be combined with KfW funding for the same measure at the same time.

§ 35c EStG, energy-efficiency renovation: If asbestos remediation is part of an energy-efficiency modernisation measure (e.g. roof removal for PV), deduction as special expenses via 3 Jahre is possible.

State-specific programmes: No standalone state programmes for asbestos remediation known.

Legal matters

Investigation obligation (§ 5a GefStoffV, new from 05.12.2024): The duty to investigate rests with the construction companies carrying out the work, not the client. However, owners must provide the company in writing with all known information on the building and usage history, as well as indications of hazardous substances. If the situation is unclear, the construction company must arrange an investigation itself.

Transitional periods:

• Approval requirement for low and medium risk: applies from 20.12.2025, transitional period until 19.12.2026 (companies must provide evidence of approval by then)
• Companies with existing high-risk approval: exempt from the new approval requirement
• Proof of competence in the notification: mandatory from 5 December 2027

TRGS 519, Adaptation pending: Still to be adapted to the risk concept of GefStoffV 2024. Until then, the AGS transitional guidance of 11.12.2024. applies