Germany · Wohngeld

Apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld) in Germany

Wohngeld is a rent subsidy for lower-income households in Germany, 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.

Good to know — wherever you live

  • 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.

Now pick your city

The office, booking portal and local quirks differ from city to city — your city's guide has the exact steps, documents and booking link.

BerlinMunichHamburgFrankfurtCologneDüsseldorfStuttgartLeipzigDortmundEssenBremenDresdenHannoverNurembergBonnMannheimKarlsruheMünsterAachenMainzAugsburgWiesbadenBielefeldBochumWuppertalFreiburgHeidelbergDarmstadtRegensburgWürzburgKielLübeckPotsdamSaarbrücken

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