Germany's Wohngeld Has No Fixed Size Limit for Single‑Person Apartments

The German housing benefit (Wohngeld) does not impose a strict square‑meter ceiling for single‑person households. Eligibility is determined by the applicant’s income, the rent or comparable housing costs that are taken into account, and the size of the household, not by a fixed apartment size. A larger flat may still qualify if the rent stays within the statutory maximum for the region.

The calculation also excludes electricity and internet expenses. The Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) states that only the cold rent, water, waste, and property‑management fees are considered, while heating costs are covered by a separate component. Consequently, costs for electricity and broadband have no impact on the Wohngeld amount. About 1.2 million German households receive the benefit, with seniors forming the largest claimant group.

These rules differ from those of other social assistance programs, such as the basic security benefit, where “reasonable” living space is more tightly defined.