Heat pumps in Thuringia
Heat pumps in Thuringia at a glance
Thuringia has two major cities with more than 100.000 inhabitants: Erfurt and Jena. Details on Erfurt are in the city document. Jena was the first municipality in Thuringia to adopt its heating plan. Details are below under “Status of municipal heating planning”.
The state does not offer its own grant funding for heat pumps, but supports municipal heating planning with around 10 million euros per year. Details are below under “State funding in Thuringia”.
See also: Nationwide basis. KfW 458, GEG and the minimum technical requirements apply in Thuringia without restriction.
RECOMMENDED PROVIDERS
State funding in Thuringia
| Programme | Target group | Status 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| TAB EigenheimPlus | Private individuals | active |
| Klima Invest (TAB) | Municipalities | expired (31.3.2024) |
TAB EigenheimPlus is a low-interest pass-through loan of up to 150.000 Euro to finance the applicant's own contribution. It excludes new builds and can be combined with KfW and BAFA.
Klima Invest was intended only for municipalities, not private individuals, and has expired.
For private individuals, federal funding through KfW 458 is the main route.
The funding bank is the Thüringer Aufbaubank (TAB). Advice is provided by ThEGA and Verbraucherzentrale Thüringen.
Water law: geothermal energy and groundwater
Ground-source probes generally require notification in Thuringia to the lower water authority under § 49 WHG and § 41 ThürWG. The deadline is usually 6 Wochen before drilling begins.
You need a formal water-law permit only in special cases: in hydrogeologically unfavourable areas, for systems above 30 kW, where different heat-transfer media are used, or in water protection areas. Probes are generally prohibited in Zones I and II.
Since 2024, notification has been submitted digitally through the “Bohranzeige Thüringen” portal. TLUBN usually confirms receipt within 3 Werktagen.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Ground-source probe | notification required, permit only in special cases |
| Probe spacing (VDI 4640-2) | 5 m up to 50 m probe length, 6 m up to 100 m |
| Water protection areas | prohibited in Zones I and II |
| Contact point | lower water authority |
TLUBN provides the hydrogeological data for geothermal projects.
PROVIDERS
Building regulations: noise protection and minimum distance
The Thüringer Bauordnung (ThürBO) was amended in July 2024 in favour of heat pumps. The relevant provision is § 6 Abs. 8 ThürBO.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Height (including enclosure) | up to 2 m |
| Length along the property boundary | up to 3 m |
| Own clearance area | not required |
| Installation at the property boundary | permitted |
| Standard | TA Lärm |
Within the size limits, installation directly at the property boundary is permitted. The TA Lärm limits remain unchanged.
Key authorities in the state
Thüringer Aufbaubank (TAB)
TAB is the funding bank of the Free State. It administers housing and modernisation funding.
Service Centre telephone: 0361 7447-0
Thüringer Energie- und GreenTech-Agentur (ThEGA)
ThEGA provides free advice to residents, municipalities and businesses on heat pumps, heating planning and funding.
Thüringer Ministerium für Umwelt, Energie und Naturschutz (TMUEN)
TMUEN is responsible for climate protection, water law and heating planning.
Thüringer Landesamt für Umwelt, Bergbau und Naturschutz (TLUBN)
TLUBN is the specialist authority for geology and water management.
Lower water authorities
The lower water authorities are based in the 17 districts and 6 independent cities: Erfurt, Jena, Gera, Weimar, Suhl, Eisenach.
Verbraucherzentrale Thüringen
Verbraucherzentrale provides energy advice at several locations.
Telephone: 0361 555140
Status of municipal heating planning
Thuringia has two major cities with more than 100.000 inhabitants. The Thüringer Landes-Wärmeplanungsgesetz was adopted on 13 June 2024.
Details on Erfurt are in the city document. Jena was the first municipality in Thuringia to adopt its heating plan; the city council approved it on 25 June 2025, and the first neighbourhoods have been implementing it since 2026.
Gera, Weimar, Suhl, Eisenach and all other municipalities have until 30 June 2028.
The state supports municipal heating planning with around 10 million euros per year, around 50 million euros in total by 2028.
Frequently asked questions
What funding is available in Thuringia for my heat pump?
Above all, federal funding through KfW 458. TAB also offers the “EigenheimPlus” loan to finance the applicant's own contribution. There is no separate state grant funding for heat pumps.
Who authorises a ground-source probe in Thuringia?
The lower water authority in the district or independent city, usually through the notification procedure. You need a formal permit only in special cases, for example in water protection areas or for systems above 30 kW.
Do I need to keep a minimum distance from my neighbour for the outdoor unit?
No. Since July 2024, heat pumps up to 2 metres high and 3 metres long may be installed directly at the property boundary. TA Lärm remains unchanged.
Does Jena already have a heating plan?
Yes, as the first municipality in Thuringia. The city council adopted the heating plan on 25 June 2025.
Note on currency
Programmes and heating-plan statuses continue to develop, and the conditions for KfW-458 in particular change on 21 July 2026. Check the current status with TAB and ThEGA.