Wohnberechtigungsschein

• Housing use regulations (WNB)
• Income Determination Decree (EEE)
• Act on the Promotion of Social Housing (Housing Promotion Act WoFG)

If your household income (your income and that of your household members) falls below a set income limit and is not sufficient to rent affordable housing, you are entitled to a housing entitlement certificate . You can find out more here.

A residence entitlement certificate is issued to the applicant upon application by the competent authority of the home municipality/(future) place of residence if the applicant is not only staying temporarily in the Federal Republic of Germany and wishes to establish a permanent residence as the center of his or her life.

The residence entitlement certificate will only be issued if the income limit is not exceeded.

The residence entitlement certificate contains information about the persons, the living space or living rooms of the apartment to be occupied.

The issue of the certificate of eligibility for housing is usually subject to a fee and the amount of the fee depends on the respective federal state.

• Identity card or residence permit/passport
• Registration certificate
• Application form/declaration of income form (both completed)

All proof of income from the previous and current calendar year is required

Possible proof of income:

• Salary/wage statements/income tax assessment notice
• Pension statements/pension payments (retirement pension, company pension, survivor's pension, orphan's pension, other pensions)
• For self-employed persons, profit and loss account (P&L) or income surplus statement (EÜR) and last income tax assessment notice
• Proof of sickness benefit
• Notices of approval for unemployment benefit 1 or unemployment benefit 2 (Harz IV)
• Notices of approval for basic income support (social welfare office)
• BAföGBescheide/vocational training allowance (BAB)
• Parental allowance/maternity allowance
• Proof of maintenance payments received or advance maintenance payments (UVG)
• Care allowance

Other documents

• Proof of severe disability/degree of care (if available)
• Maternity pass/proof of pregnancy
• Proof of maintenance obligation
• Other proof - e.g. medical certificates, marital status, etc.

• Households whose qualifying income does not exceed the relevant income limit receive a housing entitlement certificate. This depends on the number of people in the household and the relevant subsidy programs. A housing entitlement certificate is issued if the total income of the household does not exceed the income limit (depends on the respective federal state) or, in the case of certain housing, does not exceed it by a specified percentage.
• The total income of the household is made up of the sum of the positive income (usually the gross annual income) of all persons belonging to the household less childcare costs and other possible deductions in accordance with §§ 14, 15 WFNG. It is calculated in accordance with state or federal regulations.
• In exceptional cases, a certificate of eligibility for housing may also be issued without complying with the relevant income limits if particular hardship is to be avoided or if another subsidized apartment is made available for this purpose. This must be examined on a case-by-case basis.

• Fees and costs are incurred in accordance with the law of the respective federal state.

The application can be submitted to the responsible office in person or in writing. The person seeking accommodation must submit a declaration of income for themselves and each person in their household. The application must also include

• Name, date of birth, address, occupation and employer (also of all members of the household)
• Date of marriage or registration of a civil partnership
• Submission of registration certificate, identity card/passport/residence permit
• Indication of severe disability / degree of care with proof
• Indication of membership of a certain group of people
• Justification and information on special housing requirements, which must usually be documented by certificates or evidence
• Application for inclusion in the list of people seeking accommodation
• Previous living conditions
• Reasons for housing search and urgency

• The certificate of eligibility for housing is valid after it has been issued in accordance with the law of the respective federal state (you can move into a subsidized apartment within this period).

All benefits to support low-income or less privileged fellow citizens generally have a strong signal effect. In view of the increasing housing shortage, the housing entitlement certificate could become even more relevant. Currently, around 50% of the population would already be entitled to a housing entitlement certificate, and the proportion is even higher among pensioners

• You can apply for a housing entitlement certificate at the housing office in your city or municipality.
• The period of validity and the fees depend on the respective federal state.
• You will only receive a WBS if your household has a low income. You may not exceed certain income limits per year. The income limits may vary from state to state.

Income limits are based on the law of the respective federal state.

The administration of the districts, independent cities and large and medium-sized towns belonging to the district where you live or will live in the future.

For the issue of special housing entitlement certificates: The administration of the districts, independent cities and large and medium-sized towns belonging to the district of the future place of residence.

• Application form for housing entitlement certificate
• Application form for inclusion in the list of persons seeking accommodation
• Declaration of income
• Declaration of consent to data protection and financial administration information