Overview
- Germany’s housing subsidy is calculated case by case using household size, countable rent or owner costs, and total income rather than a single income threshold.
- Recipients of benefits that already cover housing costs, most trainees entitled to vocational training aid, and many students with BAföG entitlement are excluded, with BAföG denials for high parental income also blocking Wohngeld.
- Significant assets can disqualify households, with guidance citing court-oriented thresholds of about €60,000 for single applicants plus roughly €30,000 per additional household member, and claims under €10 per month are not granted.
- Wohngeld is typically approved for twelve months, paid in advance, and not retroactive, so authorities advise applying promptly since entitlement starts from the month of application.
- Payments were raised in January 2025 by roughly 15% on average, about 1.2 million households now receive support, and the highest potential amounts are possible in municipalities in rent stage VII such as Munich and selected surrounding towns.