The housing subsidy for working people on modest incomes — not welfare, no risk for your residence permit. The check takes minutes.
✓ Verified: 15/08/2026
WHAT TO DO
Wohngeld is the most under-used benefit in Germany: millions of eligible people never apply, assuming it is unemployment aid. The opposite is true — Wohngeld is designed for working people.
Enter your postal code, rent and income — instantly see how much subsidy is possible.
Wohngeld is not paid retroactively for months before the application. Every month of hesitation is money lost.
I thought I earned too much — ran it through the official calculator in 5 minutes and qualified for a supplement. The threshold after the 2023 reform is far higher than many think.
The amount depends on three things: income, rent (up to the state cap) and number of residents. In an expensive city with a family the chances are higher than expected. Calculate, do not self-reject.
Yes: Wohngeld is for low-income workers, not unemployment aid. Buergergeld recipients do not get it. After the Wohngeld Plus reform the threshold is noticeably higher.
Yes, with legal residence and labour-market access. It is not a permit-harming welfare benefit — if in doubt clarify your specific case with migration counselling.
No. Wohngeld is a subsidy and does not count as a harmful welfare benefit under residence law — extensions, PR and citizenship are unaffected.
Usually no: BAföG already includes a housing component. Exception: if you are not entitled to BAföG in principle.
After the Wohngeld-Plus reform, on average €300–400 per month — depending on income, rent and city. The state official calculator gives the exact figure.