Heat pumps in Niedersachsen
Heat pumps in Niedersachsen at a glance
Niedersachsen has seven major cities with over 100.000 inhabitants: Hannover, Braunschweig, Oldenburg, Osnabrück, Wolfsburg, Göttingen and Salzgitter. Details on heat planning are set out below under “Status of municipal heat planning”.
The state does not offer its own grant funding for heat pumps for private individuals. NBank is the development bank, and advice is provided through KEAN. Details are set out below under “State funding in Niedersachsen”.
See also: National basis. KfW 458, GEG and technical minimum requirements apply in Niedersachsen without restriction.
RECOMMENDED PROVIDERS
State funding in Niedersachsen
| Programme | Target group | Status 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Wärmepumpenquartiere (NBank) | Private individuals | expired |
| NBank Wohnraumförderung | Owners | active |
| NBank Eigentumsförderung | Owners, new build/purchase | active |
NBank Wohnraumförderung offers interest-reduced loans that are initially interest-free, with family and energy bonuses, which can be combined with KfW.
NBank Eigentumsförderung provides loans of up to 180.000 EUR (income group A) or 140.000 EUR (groups B and C) for new builds and purchases, plus child supplements of 10.000 to 24.000 EUR per child.
For private individuals, the main route is additionally the federal KfW 458 funding. In Hannover, proKlima Hannover supplements funding for heat pumps, with details in the Hannover city document.
The development bank is NBank. Free advice is provided by KEAN.
Water law: geothermal energy and groundwater
Geothermal probes require a water-law permit in Niedersachsen under the Niedersächsischen Wassergesetz (NWG). The lower water authority in the district or independent city is responsible. Depending on the LBEG area category, it decides whether a notification or permit procedure applies.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Geothermal probe | water-law permit, procedure depending on area category |
| Recommended probe spacing | 5 m up to a probe length of 50 m, 6 m above that |
| Water protection areas | special rules, often restrictive |
| Geological data | Landesamt für Bergbau, Energie und Geologie (LBEG) |
The LBEG has published a Leitfaden zur Erdwärmenutzung. It provides the technical basis for the permitting authorities.
PROVIDERS
Building regulations: noise protection and minimum distance
The Niedersächsische Bauordnung (NBauO) has applied since the amendment of 28 June 2023. Under § 5 Abs. 8 sentence 4 no. 4 NBauO, freestanding heat pumps up to 2 metres high may be placed without clearance or with the distance to the boundary reduced to 1 metres if the regular clearances cannot be maintained on the property and the neighbour does not suffer unreasonable adverse effects.
The general standard distance under § 5 Abs. 2 NBauO is 0,4 H, at least 3 metres. In commercial and industrial areas or for wind energy installations, 0,2 H applies. All privileged boundary structures together may occupy no more than 9 metres per property boundary, of which the heat pump may occupy a maximum of 3 metres.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Heat pumps up to 2 m high (§ 5 Abs. 8 sentence 4 no. 4 NBauO) | without clearance or with 1 m clearance, subject to conditions |
| Standard distance (§ 5 Abs. 2 NBauO) | 0,4 H, at least 3 m |
| Length of permitted reduction | max. 9 m in total, of which heat pump max. 3 m |
| Exempt from procedure | usually exempt from procedure |
| Standard | TA Lärm |
Smaller heat pumps may therefore be located very close to the property boundary subject to conditions. Larger systems require the regular distance.
Key authorities in the state
Investitions- und Förderbank Niedersachsen (NBank)
NBank is the state development bank for housing and energy funding.
Klimaschutz- und Energieagentur Niedersachsen (KEAN)
KEAN advises citizens and municipalities free of charge and operates the digital heat demand atlas.
Landesamt für Bergbau, Energie und Geologie (LBEG)
LBEG is the specialist geological authority. It provides hydrogeological data and the geothermal energy guide.
Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Umwelt, Energie und Klimaschutz
The Ministry is responsible for water law and climate protection and receives municipal heat plans.
Lower water authorities
The lower water authorities are based in the 36 districts and 9 independent cities.
Verbraucherzentrale Niedersachsen
Verbraucherzentrale offers energy advice at several locations.
Telephone: 0511 911960
verbraucherzentrale-niedersachsen.de
Status of municipal heat planning
Niedersachsen has seven major cities with over 100.000 inhabitants: Hannover, Braunschweig, Oldenburg, Osnabrück, Wolfsburg, Göttingen and Salzgitter.
Hannover, Braunschweig, Osnabrück and Salzgitter have already formally adopted their heat plans. Details on Hannover and Braunschweig are set out in the relevant city document. In Oldenburg, Wolfsburg and Göttingen, the process was well advanced, but no confirmed adoption date was available at the editorial deadline.
The state supports municipal heat planning with start-up funding of 16.000 EUR plus 0,25 EUR per inhabitant over three years, as well as additional state funding of around 46 million EUR until 2040. Plans prepared voluntarily receive a bonus of up to 90.000 EUR plus 0,90 EUR per inhabitant.
KEAN provides a digital heat demand atlas for the whole of Niedersachsen.
Frequently asked questions
What funding is available in Niedersachsen for a heat pump?
Primarily the federal KfW 458. funding. There is no separate state grant funding for private individuals, but NBank Eigentumsförderung offers low-interest loans of up to 180.000 EUR for new builds or purchases. In Hannover, proKlima Hannover supplements the funding, with details in the city document.
Do I need a minimum distance from my neighbour for the outdoor unit?
Heat pumps up to 2 metres high may, subject to certain conditions, be placed without clearance or with only 1 metre clearance from the boundary, provided the total length of all boundary structures does not exceed 9 metres per boundary. Larger systems require the regular distance of 0,4 H, at least 3 metres.
Who approves a geothermal probe in Niedersachsen?
The lower water authority in the district or independent city. It obtains an opinion from LBEG and, depending on the area category, decides on the notification or permit procedure.
Do Hannover and the other major cities already have a heat plan?
Hannover, Braunschweig, Osnabrück and Salzgitter have adopted one. Details on Hannover and Braunschweig are set out in the relevant city document. For Oldenburg, Wolfsburg and Göttingen, ask the city administration for the current status.
What does KEAN's heat demand atlas contain?
The atlas shows heat demand and potential supply areas for each building. It helps owners make an initial assessment of their heating solution.
Currency note
The Niedersachsen funding programmes continue to develop, particularly the KfW-458 conditions changing on 21 July 2026. Check the current status with NBank and KEAN.