Heat pumps in Schleswig-Holstein
Heat pumps in Schleswig-Holstein at a glance
Schleswig-Holstein has four major cities with more than 100.000 inhabitants: Kiel, Lübeck, Flensburg and Neumünster. Details on Kiel and Lübeck are in the respective city document.
The state is stricter than the federal government on heat transition law: the Energiewende- und Klimaschutzgesetz (EWKG) requires 78 cities and municipalities to carry out comprehensive heat planning, not only major cities with more than 100.000 inhabitants. Details are below under "Status of municipal heat planning".
The state offers no direct grant funding for heat pumps, but supports modernisation through IB.SH and EKSH. Details are below under "Funding in Schleswig-Holstein".
See also: national basis. KfW 458, GEG and technical minimum requirements apply in Schleswig-Holstein without restriction.
RECOMMENDED PROVIDERS
Funding in Schleswig-Holstein
| Programme | Target group | Status 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Klimaschutz für Bürgerinnen und Bürger | Private individuals | discontinued (16.11.2023) |
| IB.SH Modernisierung Wohnraum | Private individuals | active |
| EKSH HWT Energie und Klimaschutz | Research, higher education institutions, businesses | active |
IB.SH Modernisierung Wohnraum (including "Immoflex", "WEGfinanz") offers interest-subsidised loans from 1,1 per cent per year, includes heat pump installation and can be combined with KfW.
For private individuals, federal funding through KfW 458 is also the main route.
The state development bank is IB.SH. Advice is provided through EKSH and EKI.SH.
Water law: geothermal energy and groundwater
Ground-source heat probes require a water-law permit in Schleswig-Holstein under the Landeswassergesetz (LWG SH). The lower water authority in the district or independent city is responsible.
Near-surface geothermal energy to a depth of 400 metres has no longer fallen under the Bundesberggesetz since the BBergG amendment. Up to 400 metres, approval by the water authority is decisive, rather than mining-law notification.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Ground-source heat probe | water-law permit required |
| Drilling up to 400 m | approval by the water authority is decisive, no mining law anymore |
| Water protection areas | special rules, often restrictive |
Applications for deep drilling over 400 metres are made via the Online-Portal Zufish.
PROVIDERS
Building regulations: noise protection and minimum distance
The Landesbauordnung Schleswig-Holstein (LBO SH) was amended in July 2024 in favour of heat pumps.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Height (including enclosure) | up to 2 m |
| Length along the property boundary | up to 3 m |
| Own setback area | not required, within the size limits |
| Total length of all privileged boundary structures | max. 18 m per property |
| Installation on the property boundary | permitted as long as the size limits are complied with |
| Standard | TA Lärm |
Within the size limits, installation directly on the property boundary is permitted and no separate setback area is required. Larger or building-like systems revert to the regular setback rules. The TA Lärm limits and the building-law duty of consideration apply regardless: if noise limits are exceeded, a neighbour can still take action.
Key bodies in the state
Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein (IB.SH)
IB.SH is the state's development bank for housing and modernisation funding.
Service Centre telephone: 0431 9905-0
Gesellschaft für Energie und Klimaschutz Schleswig-Holstein (EKSH)
EKSH supports research and demonstration in energy and climate protection.
EKI.SH Energiewende- und Klimaschutzinitiative
EKI.SH is the state's advisory service for citizens, municipalities and businesses.
Ministerium für Energiewende, Klimaschutz, Umwelt und Natur (MEKUN)
MEKUN is responsible for water law and energy and climate protection legislation.
Lower water authorities
The lower water authorities are located in the 11 districts and 4 independent cities.
Verbraucherzentrale Schleswig-Holstein
The Verbraucherzentrale offers energy advice at several locations.
Telephone: 0431 590 99 40
Status of municipal heat planning
Schleswig-Holstein is a pioneer in heat transition law. The EWKG amendment of 30 January 2025 requires 78 cities and municipalities to carry out comprehensive heat planning, significantly more than required by the federal Heat Planning Act.
Details on Kiel and Lübeck are in the respective city document. Flensburg plans climate-neutral district heating by 2035 and is developing a large-scale heat pump project. Neumünster has published a district heating network suitability map and completed municipal heat planning.
For the other municipalities required to act, a staggered deadline under state law applies until 2028,; for all other municipalities, the federal deadline is 30 June 2028.
Frequently asked questions
Which funding applies to my heat pump in Schleswig-Holstein?
Above all, federal funding through KfW 458. IB.SH offers supplementary modernisation loans. The former citizen funding programmes expired at the end of 2023.
Do I need a minimum distance from my neighbour for the outdoor unit?
Not within the size limits (up to 2 metres high, up to 3 metres long): since the LBO amendment in July 2024, installation directly on the property boundary has been permitted. All privileged boundary structures together may be no more than 18 metres long. TA Lärm and the duty of consideration remain unchanged.
What does the EWKG mean for my municipality?
Since the amendment of 30 January 2025, the Energiewende- und Klimaschutzgesetz requires a total of 78 cities and municipalities to carry out comprehensive heat planning, not just major cities. Check with your local authority whether your municipality is included.
How deep may a ground-source heat probe be drilled in Schleswig-Holstein?
Drilling to 400 metres no longer requires mining-law approval; the water-law permit from the lower water authority is decisive.
Currency note
Programmes and heat-planning statuses continue to develop, and KfW-458 conditions in particular change on 21 July 2026. Check the current status with IB.SH and EKI.SH.