Wohngeld in 2026: No New Increase, Next Adjustment Set for January 2027

Overview

• After an average 15% rise in January 2025, no further increase is scheduled for 2026, with the next statutory recalculation due in January 2027.
• Wohngeld supports low-income renters and owner-occupiers, with entitlement based on household size, gross income and recognized rent or ownership costs within local rent stages; about 1.2 million households currently receive it.
• Single parents receive a €1,320 annual allowance under §17 WoGG; maintenance received counts as income, while payers may deduct up to €6,000 for a former spouse or partner and up to €3,000 per child or other non-household recipient under §18.
• Certain payments are excluded from income, including child benefit, child supplement, education-and-participation benefits, care allowance and volunteer or coach allowances up to €3,000; parental allowance counts only above €300 (€150 for Elterngeld Plus), and pensioners with at least 33 years of basic-pension periods get at least a €1,200 annual allowance.
• Applications are filed at the local Wohngeldstelle with ID, residency, rent or loan proofs and income evidence for all household members; awards usually cover 12 months from the application month, payments arrive monthly in advance on the last working day per §26 WoGG, and asset thresholds of €60,000 for the first person plus €30,000 for each additional may apply.