Wohngeld for Ukrainians in Germany 2026: who is eligible, how much and how to apply at the Wohngeldstelle

Wohngeld (housing subsidy) is a state supplement for rent (Mietzuschuss) or for owned housing (Lastenzuschuss) for households with income above the social-assistance level that is not enough for housing. According to Destatis, at the end of 2024 about 1.2 million households received Wohngeld. For Ukrainians this is a real alternative to Bürgergeld — especially if you work and have income.

Which Ukrainians are entitled to Wohngeld

• A §24 AufenthG residence permit (temporary protection) grants the right to Wohngeld under the general conditions — holders of the permit (Aufenthaltstitel) are wohngeldberechtigt under §3 Abs. 5 WoGG (§24 is not among the list of excluded permits). Existing §24 permits have been automatically extended until 4 March 2027 — there is no need to contact the Ausländerbehörde separately, even if the date on the card has already passed. Note: the automatic extension applies only to those who already have §24; if you only have a Fiktionsbescheinigung or have not yet obtained §24 — the permit must be arranged in the usual way.
• You are a tenant, subtenant, member of a housing cooperative or homeowner with a mortgage.
• You have your own income (salary, pension, alimony, etc.) that is enough for basic living needs but not entirely for the rent.

When Wohngeld is not granted (important)

Wohngeld and benefits in which housing costs are already accounted for cannot be combined (§7 WoGG). You will NOT receive Wohngeld if you already receive:

• Bürgergeld (SGB II);
• Sozialhilfe / Grundsicherung (SGB XII);
• benefits under the Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz (AsylbLG);
• BAföG (student assistance).

So the choice is this: either basic social assistance (where housing is already covered), or Wohngeld as a targeted supplement for rent only. Wohngeld is a priority benefit over Bürgergeld, but the obligation to switch to it arises only when Wohngeld (together with Kinderzuschlag) takes the entire household out of Bürgergeld for at least 3 months; otherwise Bürgergeld remains.

Wohngeld or Bürgergeld — what to choose

• If you work and your income is almost enough: Wohngeld is usually more advantageous — it is a supplement for housing only, without Jobcenter requirements regarding job search, interviews and obligations.
• If you have almost no income: Bürgergeld provides broader financial protection (full coverage of the subsistence minimum + housing + health insurance).

How much you can receive

The amount depends on three factors: the number of household members, the size of the rent (Bruttokaltmiete) in your region and the combined income of all members. After the Wohngeld-Plus reform, BMWSB states that the average payment for those who already received Wohngeld rose by about 190 € — to ~370 € per month. This is a reform benchmark, not a guaranteed amount: according to actual Destatis statistics the average payment at the end of 2024 was about 287 € per month (for "pure" Wohngeld households). Calculate your exact amount before submitting the application in the official Wohngeldrechner on the BMWSB website.

How to apply: step by step

1. Find your Wohngeldstelle — it is the housing department at the administration of your city, community or district (Gemeinde-, Stadt- or Kreisverwaltung). Many federal states accept applications online via the verwaltung.bund.de portal.
2. Calculate your entitlement through the official Wohngeldrechner, so as not to apply in vain.
3. Fill in the application (Wohngeldantrag) and attach the documents (list below).
4. Submit before the end of the month from which you want to receive the payment: Wohngeld is paid from the 1st of the month of application, even if the decision comes later.
5. Wait for the decision — processing takes about 8 weeks depending on the completeness of the documents.
6. Reapply (Weiterleistungsantrag) at the end of the term: the approval is usually valid for 12 months, after which a new application is needed.

What documents are needed

• The rental contract (Mietvertrag) and proof of rent payment (account statements);
• the latest 3 salary payslips (Gehaltsabrechnungen) of all household members;
• Bescheide on any benefits (Transferleistungen), pensions, alimony;
• proof of health insurance;
• for the self-employed — a tax return;
• if applicable — a certificate of disability and documents on deductions.

The change in the law for those who entered on 1 April 2025 or later

On 19 November 2025 the cabinet of ministers adopted the draft Leistungsrechtsanpassungsgesetz (Rechtskreiswechsel). Under it, Ukrainians with a §24 permit who entered Germany on 1 April 2025 or later are to receive not Bürgergeld but lower benefits under AsylbLG. The law was planned to be introduced from 1 July 2026, but as of June 2026 it has not yet been finally adopted: the draft (Bundestag printed paper 21/3539 of 12.01.2026) passed its first reading on 15 January 2026, the Bundesrat issued a critical opinion (Stellungnahme, advisory) on 30 January 2026, and on 23 February 2026 a hearing took place in the relevant committee. There has not yet been a final vote, so the 1 July 2026 deadline is in question. Those who entered before 1 April 2025 are not affected. While a person receives AsylbLG, separate Wohngeld is not available to them (housing is already accounted for in the benefit).

In brief

If you are a Ukrainian with §24 AufenthG, work or have other income and do not receive Bürgergeld/Sozialhilfe/AsylbLG/BAföG — apply for Wohngeld at your Wohngeldstelle. First check the amount in the official Wohngeldrechner. The free Wohngeld hotline: 030 20179050 (Mon–Thu 8:00–18:00, Fri 8:00–12:00).