KfW 124/134/159: mid‑September 2026 rate change—current bands, eligibility, and non‑resident documentation

What changed and when

Industry sources reported a KfW interest‑rate change on 15 September 2026. Compiled lender rate sheets show the new maximum borrower rates (“maximaler Zinssatz Endkreditnehmer”) for KfW programmes from 17 September 2026. For the three private‑housing programmes relevant to foreign buyers—KfW 124 (Wohneigentumsprogramm), KfW 134 (Genossenschaftsanteile) and KfW 159 (Altersgerecht Umbauen)—the effective dates in the North Rhine‑Westphalia state bank’s consolidated table are 17 September 2026. Trade press flagged the change on 15 September 2026; treat mid‑September as the window, and use the product‑level dates below for pricing and disclosures. ([energie-fachberater.de](https://www.energie-fachberater.de/news/zinsaenderung-kfw-foerderung.php?utm_source=openai))

KfW publishes rate tables by product and runtime structure. The notation “Laufzeit/tilgungsfreie Jahre/Zinsbindung” (for example, 20/3/10) is explained in KfW’s footnotes to the conditions table; private housing products like 124, 134 and 159 are priced per runtime variant (not by A–I risk classes used in corporate and municipal schemes). ([kfw.de](https://www.kfw.de/PDF/Download-Center/F%C3%B6rderprogramme-%28Inlandsf%C3%B6rderung%29/PDF-Dokumente/6000004515_Fu%C3%9Fnoten_Konditionentableau.pdf?utm_source=openai))

Current rate bands (valid from 17 September 2026)

KfW 124 – Wohneigentumsprogramm (owner‑occupied homes in Germany) - 10/10/10: 4.57% nominal (4.67% effective APR) - 25/3/5: 4.42% (4.51% effective) - 25/3/10: 4.55% (4.65% effective) - 35/5/5: 4.42% (4.51% effective) - 35/5/10: 4.56% (4.66% effective). ([nrwbank.de](https://www.nrwbank.de/de/foerderung/dokumente/konditionenalle_ekn.pdf?contentType=application%2Fpdf&pfad=%2F0%2F0%2F11494%2F))

KfW 134 – Förderung genossenschaftlichen Wohnens (co‑op membership shares for self‑use) - 10/10/10: 1.21% (1.22% effective) - 25/3/10: 0.79% (0.79% effective) - 35/5/10: 1.06% (1.07% effective) - (Older short‑bond variants 25/3/5 and 35/5/5 still show 0.01% from 18 June 2024.) ([nrwbank.de](https://www.nrwbank.de/de/foerderung/dokumente/konditionenalle_ekn.pdf?contentType=application%2Fpdf&pfad=%2F0%2F0%2F11494%2F))

KfW 159 – Altersgerecht Umbauen (barrier reduction and burglary protection) - 10/2/5: 3.21% (3.26% effective) - 10/2/10: 3.60% (3.66% effective) - 10/10/10: 4.04% (4.12% effective) - 20/3/5: 3.31% (3.36% effective) - 20/3/10: 3.92% (3.99% effective) - 30/5/5: 3.34% (3.39% effective) - 30/5/10: 4.00% (4.07% effective). ([nrwbank.de](https://www.nrwbank.de/de/foerderung/dokumente/konditionenalle_ekn.pdf?contentType=application%2Fpdf&pfad=%2F0%2F0%2F11494%2F))

Note: KfW quotes effective APRs that exclude any bank‑specific costs required by the German Price Indication Regulation; your lender’s disclosure may differ. ([kfw.de](https://www.kfw.de/partner/KfW-Partnerportal/Multiplikatoren/F%C3%B6rderprodukte/KfW-Wohneigentumsprogramm-%28124%29/index.jsp?utm_source=openai))

Who qualifies and the main caps

KfW 124 (Wohneigentumsprogramm). Purpose: buy or build owner‑occupied homes or flats in Germany; financing also covers eligible fees and taxes. Apply before signing the purchase contract or starting works. Maximum loan per project: €100,000. Security: first‑ranking mortgage is required. Occupancy: if a tenant still lives in the property, you must be able to move in no later than 12 months after drawdown. Unpaid use by close relatives (§ 15 AO) remains eligible if the relative uses the home as their main residence. ([kfw.de](https://www.kfw.de/inlandsfoerderung/Privatpersonen/Bestandsimmobilien/Finanzierungsangebote/Wohneigentumsprogramm-%28124%29/))

KfW 134 (Genossenschaftsanteile). Purpose: finance housing co‑op membership shares that entitle you to occupy a specific flat; apply before you subscribe the shares. Maximum loan: up to €150,000 with a 15% repayment grant (max. €22,500) credited after completion; second‑home use and unpaid use by relatives are excluded. ([kfw.de](https://www.kfw.de/inlandsfoerderung/Privatpersonen/Bestandsimmobilien/Finanzierungsangebote/Wohneigentumsprogramm-Genossenschaftsanteile-%28134%29/))

KfW 159 (Altersgerecht Umbauen). Purpose: barrier reduction (for example, step‑free access, bathrooms) and burglary protection; open to private owners and tenants as well as homeowners’ associations and housing companies. Maximum: up to €50,000 per housing unit. Works must be carried out by a qualified contractor; own labour is not eligible. Apply before starting. ([kfw.de](https://www.kfw.de/inlandsfoerderung/Unternehmen/Wohnwirtschaft/Finanzierungsangebote/Altersgerecht-umbauen-%28159%29/))

Across these programmes, KfW pays out via German lenders (house‑bank principle). Disbursement windows are typically 12 months from commitment (extendable to 36 months), with a 0.15% monthly commitment fee from month 13 on undrawn amounts. Verify these details in the product page you are using. ([kfw.de](https://www.kfw.de/inlandsfoerderung/Privatpersonen/Bestandsimmobilien/Finanzierungsangebote/Wohneigentumsprogramm-%28124%29/))

Non‑residents: how to document income and residency

Identification. German lenders must identify natural persons under the Money Laundering Act (GwG). They record your name, date and place of birth and a residential address; non‑German addresses are acceptable. Identification can be done in person or via approved remote procedures. Expect to provide your passport and documentary proof of your current address. ([bafin.de](https://www.bafin.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Konsultation/2021/dl_kon_1821_aua_at_clean_gw.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=5&utm_source=openai))

Income evidence. Banks typically ask for recent payslips and last year’s tax assessment; the precise set varies by lender and employment status. For employed borrowers abroad, expect at least the last 2–3 payslips and the most recent tax assessment; the bank may also request your employment contract and bank statements. Self‑employed borrowers should anticipate tax returns and profit‑and‑loss statements. ([deutsche-bank.de](https://www.deutsche-bank.de/content/dam/deutschebank/de/shared/pdf/Unterlagen-Checkliste.pdf?utm_source=openai))

Translations and legalisation. If documents are not in German, lenders may require a sworn translation. For foreign public documents, banks can request an apostille (for Hague countries) or consular legalisation. EU Regulation 2016/1191 waives apostilles for certain public documents between EU states; outside the EU, use apostille/legalisation. Confirm early with your chosen lender. ([auswaertiges-amt.de](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/urkunden/2007718?utm_source=openai))

Programme‑specific points. For KfW 124 a first‑ranking mortgage in Germany is needed; ensure your bank is comfortable with cross‑border KYC and property collateral. KfW 134 requires that the co‑op flat is self‑used; second‑home use and free use by relatives are not eligible. KfW 159 accepts owners and tenants and requires contractor execution; plan invoices accordingly. In all cases, apply before contract signing or start of works. ([kfw.de](https://www.kfw.de/inlandsfoerderung/Privatpersonen/Bestandsimmobilien/Finanzierungsangebote/Wohneigentumsprogramm-%28124%29/))

Practical tip. Ask your lender for its non‑resident document checklist on day one and agree which papers need translation or apostille. This avoids the most common processing delays.

Risks and next steps

Rate risk. KfW adjusts these rates frequently; lenders’ compilations show 17 September 2026 as the current effective date for the bands above. If you need certainty, ask your bank for a written lock and check the product’s valid‑from date in its conditions sheet. ([nrwbank.de](https://www.nrwbank.de/de/foerderung/dokumente/konditionenalle_ekn.pdf?contentType=application%2Fpdf&pfad=%2F0%2F0%2F11494%2F))

Process risk. All three products require “application before start.” Signing first can void eligibility. If you are outside Germany, build in time for certified translations and, where required, apostilles. ([kfw.de](https://www.kfw.de/inlandsfoerderung/Privatpersonen/Bestandsimmobilien/Finanzierungsangebote/Wohneigentumsprogramm-%28124%29/))

Professional help. This guide is not personal legal, tax or investment advice. For structuring and documentation, speak to a German mortgage adviser and, if needed, a sworn translator. For AML/KYC specifics, your German bank is the decision‑maker under the GwG framework. ([bafin.de](https://www.bafin.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Konsultation/2021/dl_kon_1821_aua_at_clean_gw.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=5&utm_source=openai))