Wohngeld guide: Income limits, payouts & how to apply in 2026 | Profee [Entrar](/pt/auth/login) [Cadastrar-se](/pt/auth/registration) Português * * * * * [Visit our website](https://www.profee.com) Profee * [Blog](/pt/articles) * [Life in Europe](/pt/article-categories/life-in-europe) * [Germany](/pt/article-categories/living-in-germany) * Wohngeld guide: Income limits, payouts & how to apply in 2026 # Wohngeld guide: Income limits, payouts & how to apply in 2026 [Life in Europe](/pt/article-categories/life-in-europe)[Germany](/pt/article-categories/living-in-germany) [Madina Karimova](/pt/authors/madina-karimova) May 29, 2026 5 minutes 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](https://www.bmwsb.bund.de/DE/wohnen/wohngeld/wohngeld-plus/wohngeld-plus_node.html#entry_akkordeon_66036_53600) – explore more details below. [## Who is eligible for Wohngeld?](#eligible)[## What are income and rent ceilings?](#income)[## Wohngeld application process](#wohngeld)[## Tips for expats](#tips) ## Who is eligible for Wohngeld? Low-income renters and homeowners can get financial help if they meet the [specific](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wogg/__3.html) [eligibility criteria](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wogg/__3.html), 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](https://www.bmwsb.bund.de/DE/wohnen/wohngeld/wohngeldrechner/wohngeldrechner-2025_artikel.html?nn=44152) 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._ Average monthly Wohngeld payout in 2026 is 370 EUR ## 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](https://www.wohngeld.org): Rent level zone (Mietstufen) 1 person, EUR 2 persons, EUR 3 persons, EUR 4 persons, EUR Level I (cheapest rural areas) 857 1,489 1,987 2,466 Level II (e.g., Aalen) 978 1,536 2,105 2,595 Level III (e.g., Dresden) 1,066 1,656 2,179 2,733 Level IV (German average, e.g., Berlin) 1,161 1,749 2,308 2,832 Level V (e.g., Hannover / Cologne) 1,212 1,831 2,316 2,903 Level VI (e.g., Hamburg / Stuttgart) 1,343 1,955 2,457 3,132 Level VII (most expensive, e.g., Munich) 1,538 2,265 2,873 3,582 _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](https://www.wohngeld.org/) subject to change._ Rent level zone (Mietstufen) 1 person, EUR 2 persons, EUR 3 persons, EUR 4 persons, EUR Level I (cheapest rural areas) 2,061 2,789 3,504 4,748 Level II (e.g., Aalen) 2,110 2,852 3,577 4,844 Level III (e.g., Dresden) 2,155 2,910 3,645 4,932 Level IV (German average, e.g., Berlin) 2,201 2,971 3,715 5,022 Level V (e.g., Hannover / Cologne) 2,240 3,020 3,771 5,099 Level VI (e.g., Hamburg / Stuttgart) 2,275 3,067 3,826 5,170 Level VII (most expensive, e.g., Munich) 2,313 3,115 3,881 5,244 * **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](https://www.wohngeld.org/wohnkosten/)._ Rent level I, EUR Rent level IV, EUR Rent level VII, EU 1 person 490.60 640.60 806.60 2 persons 604.40 786.40 987.40 3 persons 720.80 936.80 1,174.80 4 persons 840.20 1,090.20 1,371.20 _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](https://www.wohngeld.org/), depending on your household: Household Net income, EUR Rent, EUR Expected Wohngeld, EUR Single person 1,250 500 ~ 150 Couple (no kids) 1,800 600 ~ 130 Single parent (1 child) 1,200 600 ~ 396 Family (2 kids) 2,500 800 ~ 372 However, your personal amount of benefit may be different. Payouts are calculated individually based on your net Haushaltseinkommen, household size, and rent. Moving to Germany ## 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](https://www.wohngeld.org/wohngeldrechner/) (_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)](https://www.bmwsb.bund.de/DE/wohnen/wohngeld/wohngeld-plus/wohngeld-plus_node.html). 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](https://www.wohngeld.org/service/formloser_Wohngeldantrag.pdf)_). 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)](https://www.dgb.de/service/ratgeber/wohngeld/):** 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.](https://www.profee.com/articles/german-family-benefits)** * **[Comprehensive guide to Kinderzuschlag (KiZ) for 2026.](https://www.profee.com/articles/kinderzuschlag-guide)** * **[The ultimate guide to Elterngeld in Germany (2026).](https://www.profee.com/articles/elterngeld-guide)** * **[German Kindergeld guide: Application & eligibility.](https://www.profee.com/articles/german-kindergeld-guide-application-eligibility)** ### Is Wohngeld a loan? No, you don’t have to pay back the money you receive as Wohngeld. ### For how long is the housing benefit application processed? [4-6 weeks on average](https://handbookgermany.de/en/housing-benefit), up to several months in big cities. ### Is housing benefit paid to landlords? It’s up to you to decide. The recipient can be your landlord if you get the written confirmation from them. ### How is Wohngeld calculated? The state calculates your payout by comparing your income and family size against your rent and heating costs. ### What if my Wohngeld application gets rejected? You can file an appeal or try to apply for other benefits, for example, Bürgergeld (citizen's allowance). Trademarks, logos and other graphic or text elements are owned by the respective right holders. We do not promote third-party brands but provide introductory information only. All the facts mentioned in the article are valid on May 29, 2026 – discover the current Profee terms we are offering you right now [here](/pt/send-money). ## Kindergeld 2026 guide: Application & eligibility Need help with Kindergeld in Germany? This guide explains eligibility, how to apply, required documents, and tips for non-German residents. The Profee Team Dec 30, 2025 7 minutes Atualizado em: May 15, 2026 ## How much does it cost to have a baby in Germany Planning a family in Germany? Learn about maternity costs, insurance coverage, public vs private clinics, and what to expect before and after birth. The Profee Team Jun 30, 2025 7 minutes ## Cost of living in Germany in 2026: Full breakdown Updated cost of living in Germany in 2026. Rent, food, transport, utilities, and average monthly expenses. 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