April 17, 2026
Housing Entitlement Certificate (WBS): Who Needs One
Subsidized apartments (Sozialwohnungen) are often cheaper than comparable units on the open market, but not everyone is allowed to rent one. If you're looking for publicly subsidized housing, you first need a housing entitlement certificate, known in Germany as a Wohnberechtigungsschein, or WBS.
Who's actually eligible
Adults with permanent, lawful residence in Germany can generally apply for a WBS. Many municipalities also require a minimum registration period at your current address, often around two years, before issuing a certificate. What matters most is your household income over the past twelve months, which has to fall below a limit set by state law.
Income limits differ by state
Each German state sets its own income limits, based on the federal Housing Promotion Act (Wohnraumförderungsgesetz). In Berlin, the standard limit for a single-person household is currently €18,200 in annual gross income, according to the Berlin tenant advisory service. If you exceed that limit by up to 40%, you can still get a WBS with an income limit of 140 in Berlin, which applies to a larger pool of apartments with medium income thresholds instead of the standard WBS-100 units.
Where and how to apply
The WBS is applied for at the housing office of the municipality where you're looking for the subsidized apartment, not necessarily where you currently live. In many larger cities, applying online is possible. Documents you typically need to submit include income proof for all household members covering the past twelve months and a valid ID.
The documents you need for a WBS application
Using Berlin as an example, the city's service portal lists what usually has to go with an application. Other municipalities ask for similar proof but use their own forms.
Application and income declaration for every person in the household, signed by all adults.
Income certificate, filled in and signed by your employer.
ID copies for everyone named in the application, plus a residence permit for non-EU citizens.
Proof of your household situation, such as children's birth certificates, a maternity record from the 14th week of pregnancy, a severe disability card or a certificate of enrolment.
In Berlin the application is free of charge and the certificate is usually valid for one year, so plan the renewal in time if your search takes longer. Our guide to applying for a Berlin WBS online walks through the online form step by step. If you're only moving to Berlin, you can send the application to a citizens' or housing office of your choice. After the move, registering your address is one of the first things to do, and you can book the Bürgeramt appointment online.
What the certificate doesn't guarantee
A WBS only entitles you to apply for a subsidized apartment; it doesn't guarantee a specific apartment or priority over other WBS holders. The actual allocation is still decided by the respective landlord, usually a municipal housing company or a housing cooperative.
Our Anmeldung guide covers what to do at the citizens' office once you've secured your new apartment, and our job center furniture grant guide has details if you receive Bürgergeld instead.
Searching for an apartment with your WBS
The certificate alone won't get you an apartment, so use several routes at once:
Check the municipal housing companies. Their listings state whether a WBS is required and which income level applies.
Get notified. The Waitly newsletter for Berlin tells you when new apartments or interest lists open.
Include cooperatives. Our article on how cooperative waiting lists actually work explains why joining early can pay off.
Keep your documents ready. Upload your WBS, income proof and ID to your Waitly profile in advance. An apartment reserved for WBS holders can't go to you without a valid certificate at the right level.
For an overview of access rules and housing stock in the capital, see our guide to social housing in Berlin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs a housing entitlement certificate?
Anyone who wants to apply for a publicly subsidized apartment. No WBS is needed for apartments on the open market.
How high can my income be for a WBS?
The limit differs by state. In Berlin, it's currently €18,200 in annual gross income for a single-person household at the standard WBS-100 level.
Does the WBS guarantee an apartment?
No, it only entitles you to apply. The landlord of the subsidized apartment decides the actual allocation.
Where do I apply for a WBS?
At the housing office of the municipality where the subsidized apartment is located, often possible online as well.
