Heat pump Baden-Württemberg
Heat pumps in Baden-Württemberg at a glance
Baden-Württemberg is a pioneer in municipal heat planning. Details of the deadlines are set out below under “Status of municipal heat planning”.
There is currently no separate state funding for private individuals. The main route is federal funding through KfW 458. Details are set out below under “State funding in Baden-Württemberg”.
See also: National basis. KfW 458, GEG and the minimum technical requirements apply in full in Baden-Württemberg.
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State funding in Baden-Württemberg
As of July 2026, the state does not offer private individuals a separate grant programme for heat-pump installation.
| Programme | Target group | Status 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Klimaschutz-Plus (private individuals) | Private individuals | expired (15.7.2025) |
| Klimaschutz-Plus für Kommunen, Part 1 | Cities, municipalities, districts | active |
| Klimaschutz-Plus für Kommunen, Part 2 | Municipal administrations | active since 1.2.2026 |
| L-Bank "Wohnen mit Zukunft" | Private individuals | active |
Part 1 provides 2026 with up to 30 million euros for building renovation. Both municipal variants exclude private individuals.
L-Bank "Wohnen mit Zukunft" funds heat pumps, biomass heating systems and photovoltaics.
For private individuals, federal funding through KfW 458 is the main route. Individual cities offer additional local programmes, see the relevant city document for details.
The state's development bank is L-Bank. Funding advice is provided through KEA-BW.
Water law: geothermal energy and groundwater
Ground-source probes and groundwater heat pumps require a permit in Baden-Württemberg under the Wassergesetz für Baden-Württemberg (WG). The lower water authority at the district authority or urban district is responsible.
Before any drilling, check the suitability of your site in ISONG, the planning tool of the Landesamt für Geologie, Rohstoffe und Bergbau (LGRB). The ISONG range of 400 metres is not a legal limit, but only the tool's technical range. Above 400 metres, you still need a permit, only without ISONG data.
A different 400-metre threshold applies separately under mining law. Under § 3 BBergG, geothermal energy counts as a mineral resource free from land ownership from this depth.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| ISONG range | up to 400 m |
| Mining-law de minimis threshold (§ 3 BBergG) | from 400 m |
| Standard permit time limit | 20 Jahre |
| Time limit in water protection areas | 10 Jahre |
| Protection zones I, II, IIIA | generally no probes |
| Protection zone IIIB | case-by-case assessment |
Building regulations: noise protection and minimum distance
The Landesbauordnung Baden-Württemberg (LBO) treats heat pumps generously. Annex 1 no. 3 letter b LBO lists heat pumps without specifying dimensions. They are exempt from procedures in Baden-Württemberg, with no height or length limits.
The exemption from setback areas is set out in § 6 Abs. 1 sentence 1 no. 3 LBO. Because of their low wall height, heat pumps do not require a setback area from the property boundary. They may also be located within the setback area of other installations. The exemption applies generally, without a case-by-case assessment.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Exempt from procedures | yes, without dimensional limit (Annex 1 no. 3 letter b LBO) |
| Setback area | not required (§ 6 Abs. 1 sentence 1 no. 3 LBO) |
| Installation at the property boundary | generally permitted |
| Standard | TA Lärm |
This means there is no fixed minimum distance. The key point is that you must comply with noise limits at the property boundary. In the event of complaints, the authority assesses each case individually.
Key authorities in the state
Klimaschutz- und Energieagentur Baden-Württemberg (KEA-BW)
KEA-BW provides free advice on federal and state funding programmes. It also supports municipalities with heat planning.
Telephone: 0721 98471-0
L-Bank Baden-Württemberg
Landeskreditbank Baden-Württemberg administers the state funding programmes. Private individuals can access housing funding advice here.
Housing funding service centre: 0800 6645 471
Landesamt für Geologie, Rohstoffe und Bergbau (LGRB)
The LGRB operates the ISONG information system and provides the hydrogeological basis for geothermal projects.
Lower water authorities
The lower water authorities are based in the 35 rural districts and 9 urban districts. They approve ground-source probes and groundwater heat pumps.
Verbraucherzentrale Baden-Württemberg
Verbraucherzentrale provides energy advice in more than 50 towns. An on-site consultation costs 30 EUR, while an online consultation is free.
Telephone: 0711 669110
Status of municipal heat planning
Baden-Württemberg is a nationwide leader in heat planning.
| Deadline | Requirement for | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2023 | Urban districts and Große Kreisstädte (104 municipalities) | met for more than 50 % of the population |
| 30 June 2026 | Municipalities with more than 100.000 inhabitants | largely met |
| 30 June 2028 | Municipalities with up to 100.000 inhabitants | under way |
LUBW publishes all heat plans centrally on the Wärmeplattform BW. The relevant city document gives the status for your city.
Note: In municipalities with a completed heat plan, the 65-per-cent requirement usually applies before the federal deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Is there still state funding for heat pumps?
No. The Klimaschutz-Plus programme for private individuals expired in July 2025. The state has not reintroduced it. Private individuals instead use federal funding through KfW 458 or the tax bonus under § 35c EStG.
How deep may a ground-source probe be drilled in Baden-Württemberg?
You can plan using the ISONG system down to a depth of 400 metres. However, this is only a technical limit, not a legal maximum. Deeper drilling is generally possible, but without ISONG data and with additional assessments. From 400 metres, mining law also applies: geothermal energy then counts as a mineral resource free from land ownership. Probes are generally prohibited in water protection zones I, II and IIIA.
Do I have to observe a minimum distance for an air-source heat pump?
The Landesbauordnung does not prescribe a fixed minimum distance (§ 6 Abs. 1 sentence 1 no. 3 LBO). However, you must comply with TA Lärm.
Has municipal heat planning in my city already been completed?
Heat planning is largely complete in the larger urban districts. In smaller municipalities, the deadline does not expire until mid-2028. You can find the exact status for your city in the relevant city document.
Who assesses my heat pump in a water protection area?
The lower water authority at the district authority or urban district. It obtains the LGRB's opinion.
Currency note
Funding programmes and heat plans change. One reason is the nationwide adjustment to KfW-458 on 21 July 2026. Check the current status on the websites of KEA-BW and L-Bank.