Housing benefit (Wohngeld)
A monthly subsidy toward your rent (or mortgage costs) for lower-income households.
Verified as of 2026-06-13 · Official source
Typical value
On average around €370 per month for eligible households; varies with rent and income.
Official calculatorAbout this benefit
Wohngeld helps households on a modest income with their housing costs — as a rent subsidy (Mietzuschuss) for tenants or a cost subsidy (Lastenzuschuss) for owner-occupiers. Since the 2023 reform many more households qualify and the average amount rose substantially, yet a large share of eligible people never apply. Eligibility depends on household size, income and local rent. You cannot receive Wohngeld at the same time as Bürgergeld. This page explains the benefit; it does not assess your individual entitlement.
You may be eligible if
- Your household income is low to moderate relative to your rent and household size.
- You pay rent (or carry costs for a home you own and live in).
- You are not receiving Bürgergeld or similar benefits that already cover housing.
Official sources
Change log
- 2026-06-12 — Initial publication.
- 2026-06-13 — Updated BMWSB Wohngeld + calculator links after restructure; re-verified.
Information, not legal or tax advice. Always check the official source for your case.