Wohngeld income limits 2026 and 2027
The law does not set a fixed income limit for housing benefit (Wohngeld) – the limit follows from the Wohngeld formula. The tables show the highest monthly total income at which you still get Wohngeld, provided your rent is at least as high as the maximum amount (Höchstbetrag). If your rent is lower, your limit is lower too.
Total income (Gesamteinkommen) is the income of everyone in your household after the deductions set out in the Housing Benefit Act: work-related expenses (Werbungskosten), 10% each for tax, health insurance and pension insurance, and allowances (Freibeträge). Child benefit (Kindergeld) does not count. The Wohngeld calculator shows your exact result.
Income limits 2026 (current law)
Highest monthly total income at which at least €10 of Wohngeld is still paid – with rent at the maximum amount.
| People | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV | Level V | Level VI | Level VII |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | €1,443 | €1,477 | €1,509 | €1,541 | €1,568 | €1,593 | €1,619 |
| 2 | €1,953 | €1,997 | €2,037 | €2,080 | €2,114 | €2,147 | €2,181 |
| 3 | €2,453 | €2,504 | €2,552 | €2,601 | €2,640 | €2,678 | €2,717 |
| 4 | €3,324 | €3,391 | €3,453 | €3,516 | €3,570 | €3,619 | €3,671 |
| 5 | €3,823 | €3,895 | €3,962 | €4,032 | €4,089 | €4,143 | €4,200 |
| 6 | €4,319 | €4,395 | €4,467 | €4,540 | €4,598 | €4,659 | €4,717 |
Income limits from 2027 (draft law)
Based on BT-Drs. 21/8284, not yet passed – at least €15 of Wohngeld, with rent at the maximum amount.
| People | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV | Level V | Level VI | Level VII |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | €1,283 | €1,324 | €1,361 | €1,399 | €1,430 | €1,460 | €1,491 |
| 2 | €1,727 | €1,779 | €1,827 | €1,878 | €1,919 | €1,958 | €1,999 |
| 3 | €2,167 | €2,228 | €2,286 | €2,345 | €2,393 | €2,440 | €2,487 |
| 4 | €2,916 | €2,998 | €3,072 | €3,149 | €3,216 | €3,276 | €3,340 |
| 5 | €3,330 | €3,418 | €3,502 | €3,588 | €3,659 | €3,727 | €3,798 |
| 6 | €3,741 | €3,837 | €3,927 | €4,020 | €4,095 | €4,172 | €4,248 |
What does this mean as a gross salary?
For a household with one wage on which tax, health and long-term care insurance and pension contributions are paid, Wohngeld deducts 30% plus the flat-rate allowance for work-related expenses (Werbungskosten-Pauschbetrag). A total income of €1,509 is then roughly equal to a gross wage of €2,258 a month. If no tax is paid, the equivalent gross wage is lower.
Why are the limits lower in 2027?
Under the Federal Government’s draft law, the heating cost component will be halved, parameter “c” of the Wohngeld formula will rise by 58% and amounts below €15 will no longer be paid. As a result, the income limit for the same rent level (Mietenstufe) falls by around 10% (see the tables). On the other hand, the new rent levels from 2027 raise the maximum amount in many municipalities. More about Wohngeld 2027 (in German)
How are the figures calculated?
We put the maximum amounts from Anlage 1, the climate component (Klimakomponente) and the heating cost relief (§ 12 WoGG) into the Wohngeld formula under § 19 WoGG. We then look for the highest total income that still produces at least the minimum amount (§ 21 WoGG). Our calculation matches all eleven official sample calculations published by the Federal Ministry of Housing (Bundesbauministerium).
Sources: Wohngeldgesetz §§ 12, 19, 21 with Anlagen 1–3; draft law BT-Drs. 21/8284 (2027, not yet passed). Last updated: 7 November 2026.