Heat pumps in Hessen
Heat pumps in Hessen at a glance
Hesse 2026 does not offer its own grant programme for heat pumps for private individuals. The WIBank programmes are aimed at local authorities, businesses and associations. Details can be found below under “State funding Hesse”.
Since 2022, heat pumps in Hessen may be placed on the property boundary, but only up to 2 metres high and 3 metres in total length. Details are below under “Bauordnung”.
Frankfurt am Main missed the heat-planning deadline of 30 June 2026. Details are below under “Status der kommunalen Wärmeplanung”.
See also: national basis. KfW 458, GEG and technical minimum requirements apply in Hessen without restriction.
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State funding in Hessen
WIBank administers Hessen's funding programmes.
| Programme | Target group | Status 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Energetische Förderung HEG (WIBank) | Municipalities, associations, businesses | active |
| Sozialer Mietwohnungsbau Energie (WIBank) | Housing companies, landlords | active |
Neither WIBank programme is aimed at private individuals. For private owners, federal funding through KfW 458 is the main route.
Some cities offer or have offered their own programmes, with varying status. Wiesbaden's municipal programme “Energieeffizient Sanieren” expired on 30 June 2024. Details on Frankfurt, Wiesbaden and Kassel are in the relevant city document.
The funding bank is WIBank. Free advice is available from the LandesEnergieAgentur Hessen (LEA).
Water law: geothermal energy and groundwater
Geothermal probes require a water-law permit in Hessen under the Hessischen Wassergesetz (HWG). The lower water authority in the district or independent city is responsible.
Hessen has its own requirements for shallow geothermal probes, in force since 1 January 2025. A simplified procedure already applies to systems up to 30 kW.
The mining-law minimum distance from the property boundary has been abolished since 3 January 2022; this is a specific Hessen rule. HLNUG nevertheless recommends a distance of 10 metres between two probes, or 5 metres from the property boundary, for systems up to 30 kW.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Geothermal probe up to 400 m | water-law permit required |
| Systems up to 30 kW | simplified procedure |
| Mining-law minimum distance to the boundary | abolished since 3.1.2022 |
| Recommended probe spacing | 10 m between probes, 5 m from the boundary |
| Water protection zones | Special rules, often restrictive |
The HLNUG provides hydrogeological data and the water-protection requirements document.
Building regulations: noise protection and minimum distance
The Hessische Bauordnung (HBO) has permitted heat pumps directly at the property boundary since the amendment of 29 November 2022, but only within fixed size limits.
Under § 6 Abs. 10 No. 11 HBO, heat pumps may be placed directly on the boundary, up to 2 metres high and with a maximum total length of 3 metres. Within the standard clearance area, rather than directly on the boundary, § 6 Abs. 9 No. 4 HBO applies only the 2-metre height limit, without a length limit.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Directly on the property boundary (§ 6 Abs. 10 No. 11 HBO) | up to 2 m high, max. 3 m total length |
| Within the clearance area (§ 6 Abs. 9 No. 4 HBO) | up to 2 m high, no length limit |
| Exempt from approval procedures | standard heat pumps do not require approval |
| Standard | TA Lärm |
Within these size limits, heat pumps are permitted at the property boundary. The TA Lärm noise limits still apply.
Key authorities in the state
Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen (WIBank)
WIBank is the state's funding bank and administers Hessen's energy funding programmes.
LandesEnergieAgentur Hessen (LEA)
LEA provides free advice to citizens, municipalities and businesses on energy efficiency and funding.
Telephone: 0611 95017-8400
Hessisches Landesamt für Naturschutz, Umwelt und Geologie (HLNUG)
HLNUG is the state's specialist geological authority. It provides opinions on geothermal drilling.
Hessisches Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Energie, Verkehr, Wohnen und ländlichen Raum
The Ministry is responsible for energy policy and building regulations.
Lower water authorities
The lower water authorities are located in the 21 districts and 5 independent cities.
Verbraucherzentrale Hessen
Verbraucherzentrale Hessen provides energy advice at more than 30 locations.
Telephone: 0800 809 802 400
Status of municipal heat planning
Hessen has 421 municipalities. Five of these are independent major cities: Frankfurt am Main, Wiesbaden, Kassel, Offenbach am Main and Darmstadt.
Darmstadt, Kassel and Offenbach adopted their heat plans by the deadline. Wiesbaden has completed the public consultation, but the final resolution is still pending. Frankfurt am Main missed the statutory deadline of 30 June 2026; the city council resolution is not expected until October 2026. Details on Frankfurt, Wiesbaden and Kassel are in the relevant city document.
Hessen receives around 7,5 million EUR annually in federal funding for municipal heat planning, supplemented by around 1,3 million EUR in state funding. Hessen's heat-planning regulation has applied since 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What funding is available in Hessen for a heat pump?
Federal funding through KfW 458 is the main route; there is no separate state funding for private individuals. Some cities have had their own programmes, but their status varies: Wiesbaden's municipal programme has expired. Ask your city authority directly whether a current programme is available.
Do I need a minimum distance from the property boundary for a geothermal probe?
Since 3 January 2022, there has been no mining-law minimum distance from the property boundary. HLNUG nevertheless recommends 10 metres between two probes, or 5 metres from the boundary, for systems up to 30 kW.
Can my air-source heat pump be placed directly on the property boundary?
Yes, since the HBO amendment at the end of 2022, but only within fixed size limits: up to 2 metres high and a maximum total length of 3 metres at the boundary. You must still comply with TA Lärm.
What depth is possible for a geothermal probe in Hessen?
Hessen's requirements apply to probes up to 400 metres deep. Deeper drilling requires additional mining-law assessments.
Does my city in Hessen have a heat plan?
Darmstadt, Kassel and Offenbach have adopted plans. Wiesbaden has completed consultation, but the resolution is still pending. Frankfurt am Main missed the deadline, and a resolution is not expected until October 2026.
Note on currency
Funding programmes and the status of heat plans continue to develop; in particular, the terms of KfW-458 change on 21 July 2026. Check the current status on the websites of WIBank and LEA Hessen.