🏷️ Housing benefit (Wohngeld) for tenants
In brief
Housing benefit (Wohngeld) is a state subsidy towards rent. It is for low-income households that do not receive basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld) or similar benefits. Pensioners, families and low earners may also be entitled.
You apply for Wohngeld at the housing benefit office (Wohngeldbehörde) of your municipality or district. Many federal states offer online applications. Wohngeld is generally paid from the month in which the application reaches the authority. There is usually no payment for earlier months. So apply early.
With the Wohngeld Plus reform on 1 January 2023, average Wohngeld rose by €190 to about €370 per month. The update on 1 January 2025 brought on average about €30 more per month (about 15 percent compared with 2023). The next statutory adjustment is planned for 1 January 2027. The exact amount depends on income, rent, household size and rent level (Mietenstufe).
Step by step
- Check in advanceUse a Wohngeld calculator of your state or municipality.
- Submit the applicationSubmit the application to the housing benefit office. An informal application often secures the start date.
- Collect documentsTenancy agreement, proof of income and details of all household members.
- Check the notice of decisionIf there are errors, lodge an objection (Widerspruch). The deadline is stated in the notice.
Deadlines
- Anyone receiving basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld) or basic income (Grundsicherung) generally has no Wohngeld entitlement alongside it; the housing cost element is already included in these benefits (wording not checked here).
- Wohngeld is usually not granted retroactively. Apply early.
- Maximum amounts are in Annex 1 to the WoGG (§ 12 Abs. 1), the rent levels in § 12 Abs. 5 WoGG. They depend on where you live.
- The maximum amounts (Annex 1 WoGG as amended by BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 314) have continued unchanged since 1 January 2025; indexation takes place in a two-year rhythm, the next on 1 January 2027.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
Legal basis
Wohngeld is regulated in the Housing Benefit Act (WoGG). § 12 WoGG provides: para. 1 with Annex 1 the monthly maximum amounts for rent and burden by rent level and household size, para. 5 the rent levels, para. 6 the heating cost component, para. 7 the climate component. Annex 1 as amended by BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 314 has continued unchanged since 1 January 2025; indexation takes place in a two-year rhythm, the next on 1 January 2027. The rent levels range from I (rent level below minus 15 percent) to VII (rent level from 35 percent).
Heating cost and climate component
Heating cost component, § 12 Abs. 6 WoGG, monthly for 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 household members: €110.40 / €142.60 / €170.20 / €197.80 / €225.40; €27.60 more for each additional household member. Climate component, § 12 Abs. 7 WoGG: €19.20 / €24.80 / €29.60 / €34.40 / €39.20; €4.80 more for each additional household member.
Application and responsibility
Applications must be made to the local housing benefit office. The Federal Ministry for Housing names about 1.2 million Wohngeld households, a Wohngeld hotline (030 20179050, Mon to Thu 8 am to 6 pm, Fri 8 am to 12 pm) and the adjustment in a two-year rhythm, most recently on 1 January 2025, the next on 1 January 2027.
Wohngeld Plus reform
According to the BMWSB, the reform of 1 January 2023 substantially enlarged the group of eligible people and introduced the heating cost and climate component.
A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.