Wohngeld 2026: Who Qualifies, How Much, and When Payments Arrive

Overview

• Payments are made monthly in advance, with authorities planning 2026 transfers on the last business days of the prior month, for example February’s payment on January 30 and March’s on February 27.
• There is a legal entitlement to Wohngeld if statutory criteria are met, with amount and eligibility primarily driven by household size, total income and the eligible rent or housing burden under §9 WoGG.
• Both renters and owner‑occupiers can claim support, with owners receiving a Lastenzuschuss that covers costs such as interest, repayment and certain operating expenses as defined in §1 WoGV.
• Assessable assets can exclude claims, with administrative guidance setting limits at €60,000 for the first household member and €30,000 for each additional member, and applications must be filed with the local Wohngeld authority, where increases for current recipients are checked automatically.
• Media report about 1.2 million households currently receiving Wohngeld with an average entitlement near €297 per month, and a reported €1,800 income allowance can apply for certain severely disabled or cared‑for household members.