October 13, 2026
Wohngeld in Berlin: who qualifies for housing benefit and how to apply
Photo: Vitaly Gariev via Unsplash.
Wohngeld is a German state subsidy towards rent for low-income households that do not receive basic income support covering housing costs. In Berlin, the federal government and the state each pay half, and you apply to the district office (Bezirksamt) where you live, which you can also do online. Whether you qualify and how much you get depends on household size, rent and income. For the flat hunt itself, Waitly's Berlin waitlists connect you with landlords.
Last updated: 13 October 2026.
In short
Tenants in Berlin can get Wohngeld if their main residence is in the city and their income is low but above basic income support. Berlin is in rent level IV, so for a one-person household at most 511 euros of gross cold rent is taken into account. You apply online through the Berlin service portal or in writing to your district. Wohngeld is paid from the month your application arrives, usually for twelve months. The federal government plans cuts for 2027, but they have not been passed.
Who can get Wohngeld in Berlin?
You can get Wohngeld as a rent subsidy in Berlin if your main residence is there, you pay rent and your income is low. According to the Berlin service portal, this applies to main tenants and subtenants alike. Wohngeld is a legal entitlement, but it is only paid if you apply.
You are excluded if you receive benefits that already cover housing costs. Under section 7 of the Housing Benefit Act (§ 7 WoGG), these include Grundsicherungsgeld, formerly called Bürgergeld, and basic income support in old age or for reduced earning capacity. Households in which every member is in principle entitled to BAföG student finance or vocational training allowance are excluded as well.
To prove your main residence, you need to be registered in Berlin. Our guide to registering your flat in Berlin online explains how.
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Wohngeld, Grundsicherungsgeld or WBS?
Wohngeld, Grundsicherungsgeld and the housing entitlement certificate (WBS) are three different things. Wohngeld is a rent subsidy for people who otherwise support themselves. Grundsicherungsgeld from the job centre covers living costs and housing together, which is why you cannot receive both.
A WBS, on the other hand, is not money but permission to rent a subsidised social housing flat. You can hold a WBS and receive Wohngeld at the same time. Our page on WBS apartments in Berlin shows which flats require one, and our guide to the WBS online application explains how to get it. For a wider view, see our overview of affordable housing options in Berlin.
Rent level in Berlin: which rent counts?
For Wohngeld purposes, Berlin is assigned to rent level (Mietenstufe) IV, across every postcode in the city. The rent level determines the maximum rent that goes into the calculation. If your rent is higher, only the maximum counts.
What counts is the gross cold rent: the net cold rent plus cold service charges, but without heating and hot water. The maximum amounts for rent level IV under Annex 1 WoGG, the Housing Benefit Act, are:
1 person: 511 euros
2 people: 619 euros
3 people: 737 euros
4 people: 858 euros
5 people: 982 euros
each additional person: plus 119 euros
On top of this, section 12 of the Act adds an amount towards heating costs, 110.40 euros for one person, and raises the maximum amounts by a climate component, 19.20 euros for one person. To check whether your Berlin rent fits your income, see our guide to keeping rent under 30 percent of net income.
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How much Wohngeld will I get?
The amount comes from a legal formula with three factors: the number of household members, the rent taken into account and the household's total income. That is why there is no fixed amount or simple income limit.
The Wohngeld-Plus calculator from the Federal Ministry for Housing gives you a first estimate. Enter your Berlin postcode and it applies rent level IV automatically. Berlin's own calculator is currently being reworked, according to the Senate Department. Either way, only the Wohngeld office in your district makes a binding decision.
How to apply for Wohngeld in Berlin
You apply for the rent subsidy (Mietzuschuss) at the Wohngeld office of the district where you live. Depending on the district, that is the citizens' office (Bürgeramt) or the housing office (Wohnungsamt). Here is how it works:
Use the Wohngeld calculator to check whether you are likely to qualify.
Gather the documents from the list below as PDF or JPG files.
Apply online through the Berlin service portal. Each file can be at most 5 MB, and all files together at most 30 MB.
Alternatively, fill in the paper form, sign it by hand and send it to the Bürgeramt or Wohnungsamt in your district. Paper forms are also available at the Bürgeramt.
Wait for the written decision and send any extra documents the office asks for quickly.
The application is free of charge. Save the PDF of your application so you can check what you entered if the office has questions.
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Which documents do you need?
The Berlin service portal lists these documents for the rent subsidy, all as copies:
ID documents for everyone living in the flat
Proof of your right of residence; for EU citizens, the ID card is usually enough
Your rental contract with all amendments and rent increase letters
Proof of rent payments for the last three months, such as bank statements
Proof of income for all household members, such as payslips or pension notices
Decisions on other benefits such as unemployment benefit or child maintenance advance
Proof of work-related expenses, severe disability, care level or basic pension periods, if they apply
Depending on your situation, the office may ask for more. A complete set of documents is the simplest way to speed up processing.
Processing time and approval period
The State of Berlin does not give a fixed processing time. What matters is that, under section 25 of the Act, Wohngeld is paid from the first of the month in which your application arrives. Applying early therefore costs you nothing, even if the decision takes a while.
Wohngeld is usually approved for twelve months, or up to 24 months if your circumstances are expected to stay the same. After that, you need a continuation application. If your claim for Grundsicherungsgeld was rejected, apply for Wohngeld before the end of the following month. Wohngeld then starts retroactively from the month for which basic income support was refused.
Photo: Lawrence Chismorie via Unsplash.
What may change for Wohngeld in 2027
By law, Wohngeld is adjusted to rents and prices every two years, most recently on 1 January 2025. There was no new increase for 2026, so the 2025 amounts still apply. The next adjustment would be due on 1 January 2027.
Instead, the housing ministry's draft bill proposes suspending the adjustment, halving the heating cost component and changing the Wohngeld formula. Under the draft, Wohngeld that has already been approved would stay unchanged until the end of the current approval period. As of 13 October 2026, the reform is going through parliament and has not been passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can students in Berlin get Wohngeld?
Yes, if they are not in principle entitled to BAföG, for example because they are over the age limit. According to the Berlin service portal, receiving BAföG only as a loan does not exclude you either.
Can I get Wohngeld for a room in a flatshare?
Yes, subtenants in a flatshare (WG) can apply too. What counts is your own rent and your own income, as long as you do not share a household budget with your flatmates.
Do I have to pay Wohngeld back?
No, Wohngeld is a grant. You only have to repay it if you failed to report changes such as a much higher income, or if you gave false information.
Finding an affordable flat in Berlin
Wohngeld helps with the rent, but it does not solve the problem of finding a flat in the first place. For search tips, see our overview of cheap rental apartments in Berlin. On Waitly you can also sign up for waitlists and interest lists from Berlin landlords. Signing up improves your chances, but it does not guarantee a flat.
