Apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld) in Erfurt

Wohngeld is a rent subsidy for lower-income households in Erfurt, paid by the local Wohngeldstelle. More people qualify than expect to since the 2023 reform — it's worth checking even on a modest salary.

Free to apply; decisions take ~4–8 weeks. Paid monthly, usually granted for 12 months at a time.

Wohngeld is a rent subsidy from your city's Wohngeldstelle — and since the 2023 reform many more households qualify, so it's worth checking even on a modest salary. Use an online Wohngeldrechner first to estimate eligibility. You can't claim it together with Bürgergeld or BAföG (those have their own housing components), and you'll need your rental contract plus income proof for everyone in the household.

What you need to bring

Passport or IDRequired
📋 Bring the original, not a copy
How to get it: Issued by your home country. Renew at your country's embassy or consulate in Germany — appointments can take weeks, so check the expiry early.
Rental contractRequired
How to get it: Signed with your landlord when renting. Keep both the contract and the handover protocol (Übergabeprotokoll).
Proof of income (all household members)Required
How to get it: Usually recent payslips, your employment contract, or a tax assessment. Self-employed: a profit statement (BWA) or your Steuerbescheid.
MeldebescheinigungRequired
📋 Bring the original, not a copy
How to get it: You receive it at your Anmeldung appointment at the Bürgeramt. Lost it? Request a new copy at the Bürgeramt (small fee, often bookable online).
Bank statements / rent payment proofIf applicable
How to get it: Download as PDF from your online banking. Offices usually want the last 3 months.
Wohngeld application form of your cityRequired

Can you do it online?

Wohngeld is handled by your city/state — we open your state portal where we have it, otherwise search '<your city> Wohngeld online'.

Good to know

Eligibility depends on household size, rent and income — use an online Wohngeldrechner to check before applying.
It's handled per city/state; search '<your city> Wohngeld Antrag' for the right form or portal.
You can't get Wohngeld at the same time as Bürgergeld or BAföG — those have their own housing components.
Have your rental contract, income proof for everyone in the household, and your registration certificate ready.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for Wohngeld in Erfurt?

You'll need 5 key documents: Passport or ID, Rental contract, Proof of income (all household members), Meldebescheinigung, Wohngeld application form of your city. Erfurt is Thuringia's capital, so its offices and the state portals sit in the same city; appointments are usually far easier to get than in Leipzig or Dresden.

Can I do Wohngeld online in Erfurt?

Wohngeld is handled by your city/state — we open your state portal where we have it, otherwise search '<your city> Wohngeld online'.

Which office handles Wohngeld in Erfurt?

Apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld) in Erfurt is handled at the local level in Thuringia. The exact office and any forms are linked from the official source on this page, and once you're on the portal, the free TiG Pilot extension explains each field in plain English.

Checklist last verified 2026-06-11. Rules vary by office and change over time — always confirm with the official source linked above.