Wohngeld guide: Income limits, payouts & how to apply in 2026

Wohngeld (housing benefit) is money from the government that helps low- and middle-income families pay their housing costs. The benefit is not welfare for people who are unemployed. Instead, the German housing allowance is made just for working people, pensioners, and certain students who earn an income but struggle with high rent. As of 2026, the average monthly payout is about 370 EUR – explore more details below.

Who is eligible for Wohngeld?

Low-income renters and homeowners can get financial help if they meet the specific eligibility criteria, such as income limits, housing costs, Bürgergeld status, and so on. You can get support whether you rent your home or own it. Renters receive a Mietzuschuss (rent subsidy), while homeowners get a Lastenzuschuss (homeowner burden subsidy).

You CAN apply if (as of 2026):

• You rent your home: You can get a Mietzuschuss (rent subsidy).
• You own your home: You can get a Lastenzuschuss (homeowner burden subsidy).
• You live in a shared flat (WG): The office will run an income calculation just on your money and your specific share of the rent to determine your housing allowance.
• You have a low-to-medium income: Your total income has to stay below the official household threshold.
• You are an expat with a standard long-term visa: You can apply if you hold a valid, renewable residence permit for work, freelancing, or family reunification.

You CANNOT apply if (as of 2026):

• You get Bürgergeld or other welfare: You are blocked by the Bürgergeld exclusion rule if you receive Bürgergeld (unemployment benefit), Sozialhilfe, or asylum seeker benefits. Because these programs already pay for your housing in full, the Bürgergeld exclusion stops people from getting double payouts.
• You are a student or apprentice: You don’t meet the eligibility criteria if you can get BAföG or vocational training allowance (BAB). The state uses a different benefit calculation method for students. (You can only apply if you live with a family who aren't students, or if your BAföG is 100% a bank loan).
• You hold a short-term expat visa: You cannot apply if your visa requires you to prove you are completely self-sufficient. The requirement rules out visas for job seeking (§20), apprenticeships (§17), language schools (§16b), or study-related internships (§16e).
• Your income is too high or too low: If you earn more than the maximum household income threshold, you don't qualify. If you can't even pay for food, you must apply for other types of benefits.
• You’ve saved too much money: You will be rejected if your personal wealth (stocks, cash, crypto) is over 60,000 EUR for a single person, plus 30,000 EUR for every extra person in your home.

The amount to be paid is not fixed. The official housing benefit calculator can help you get an idea of how much you might receive.

Eligibility criteria may change over time, so always double-check the most recent information.

What are income and rent ceilings?

The household income threshold (2,061–5,244 EUR) and rent caps (371–974 EUR) depend entirely on the number of people in your household and the rent level zone your city belongs to.

• Minimum income (net)

The minimum income requirement ensures that applicants earn enough to cover their baseline personal needs. If your income falls below the minimum, the state considers you eligible for alternative basic social assistance instead. Check these estimated minimums taken from the official Wohngeld website:

As of May, 2026, the minimum income requirement may change.

• Maximum income limit (gross)

As of 2026, the maximum limit falls between 2,061 EUR and 5,244 EUR. If your total gross household income exceeds the monthly caps, you can’t get Wohngeld.

Income caps in May 2026 subject to change.

• Maximum rent ceilings

Any rent paid above the maximum rent ceiling (361–1,566.60 EUR) must be covered entirely out of pocket.

Example rent caps in May 2026, subject to change. You can find the full breakdown on wohngeld.com.

Heating cost supplement and a climate component are already included in this benefit calculation method.

Expected payouts: Real examples

Let’s assume you live in Berlin or another Level IV city (maybe you really do), then your Wohngeld will be around 150-372 EUR, depending on your household:

However, your personal amount of benefit may be different. Payouts are calculated individually based on your net Haushaltseinkommen, household size, and rent.

Wohngeld application process

You must submit an official Wohngeldantrag (application form) directly to your Wohngeldbehörde (local housing benefit authority). The application process is free whatsoever.

1. Check your eligibility. Go through the criteria once again and use an official calculator (Wohngeldrechner) to estimate your housing benefit.
2. Get the forms. Download official forms from the information page of your federal state (find links to all states here). The local housing authority can set its own rules, so don’t sign Hamburg papers if you’re in Munich.
3. Gather required documents. Prepare your ID/passport, registration certificate (Meldebestätigung), rental contract, proof of rent payments, payslips (Verdienstbescheinigung), and a landlord certificate (Mietbescheinigung). Required documents may be different in different states.  
4. Submit the application by mail, in person, or online. The benefit is paid starting from the calendar month of your application. You won’t get any payments for previous months.
5. Renewal. Benefits are usually paid for 12-24 months. After that, you must reapply for housing allowance two months before the current expires.  

Tips for expats

Take advantage of informal applications and get more benefits with these tips:

• Add one month to get ready: If the month is ending and you can’t submit the full application yet, send an informal one (formloser Antrag). It secures your application date so that you receive money and have an extra month to prepare official forms.
• Kindergeld is NOT income: If you receive standard German child benefits (Kindergeld), it is completely ignored during the income calculation stage.
• More money for your kids: Receiving a housing benefit acts as an automatic validation of low-income status. It gives you the legal right to apply for Kinderzuschlag (a child supplement of up to 297 EUR per child) and the Bildung und Teilhabe package, which covers school trips, lunches, and learning supplies.
• An advance option (Vorschuss): If 8 weeks have passed since submitting all required documents and the office is delayed due to high demand, you have a legal right to request an advance payment from your local housing authority.

More on family benefits in Germany:

• Beyond Kindergeld: What benefits you can claim as a family in Germany.
• Comprehensive guide to Kinderzuschlag (KiZ) for 2026.
• The ultimate guide to Elterngeld in Germany (2026).
• German Kindergeld guide: Application & eligibility.