Wohngeld Is Payable Only for One Main Residence, Authorities Say

Overview

• Reporting on Friday clarified that, under the Wohngeldgesetz, a person can only claim housing allowance for the single dwelling that forms their 'Lebensmittelpunkt' or centre of life, and authorities will assess each case individually.
• Applicants must list any additional residences and many local offices now ask for a Negativbescheinigung to prove no benefit is claimed for a second home.
• Eligibility and the amount paid depend on three factors: the number of household members counted, the household's assessable income, and the eligible rent or owner burden used in the Wohngeld calculation.
• Owners of self‑used property can receive Wohngeld when they qualify and the law counts credit costs, maintenance and operating costs (36 euros per m² per year), administration costs and property tax as deductible burdens.
• The January 2025 adjustment to rates remains in force, about 1.2–1.3 million households received Wohngeld at the end of 2025, and the benefit is usually granted for 12 months to help low‑income renters, owners, pensioners, students without BAföG and similar groups.