Apply for a certificate of eligibility for housing

Prerequisites

To obtain a residence permit (WBS), you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years old (exceptions for 16- to 18-year-olds with parental consent).
• Your household income must not exceed the specified income limits.
  • You can calculate your household income using the linked
    Calculate using the "Calculator for preliminary verification of eligibility certificate".
• You need a secure residence status. A temporary residence permit must be valid for at least another 10 months.
• You have your main residence in Hamburg.

To receive the urgency certificate, you must have been registered in Hamburg for at least 3 years.

Documents required

• completed application (an application form is linked.),
• for each person with their own income, an income declaration, for example, via citizen's allowance, salary slips or similar (a form for the income declaration is linked).
• Personal documents of all persons belonging to the household,
• possibly marriage certificate,
• current proof of income for the last 12 months,
• Depending on the individual case, further documents may be required (e.g. medical certificates, pregnancy certificates, rental agreements, etc.)

If necessary, the authority will request further information or documents from you. Please provide your telephone number on your application.

Please note

If you do not live in Hamburg but are looking for social housing in Hamburg, you can apply for a housing entitlement certificate in one of Hamburg's 7 district offices.

The first funding route is intended for low-income households that require special support in accessing housing. This funding route provides access to government-subsidized social housing and is specifically designed to secure housing for low-income households. The first funding route offers particularly affordable rental apartments and is supported by government funding programs to ensure affordable housing for households in need.

In addition to the first funding route, there are other funding routes in Germany that provide access to subsidized housing. These funding routes differ primarily in terms of income limits and target groups.

Second funding route for middle-income households that exceed the limits of the first funding route but still require support. Advantages: Often lower requirements, slightly higher rents than in the first funding route.

3. Subsidy for higher-income households that still fall below certain income limits. These often involve apartments with slightly higher rents, but still cheaper than the open housing market.

If you urgently need accommodation due to a particular emergency, such as the threat of homelessness or serious health or family reasons, you can apply for an emergency certificate.

Deadlines

no

Procedure

• You apply for the housing entitlement certificate (WBS) with all necessary documents at the responsible authority.
  • The application form and a form for the income declaration are linked.
• The responsible authority will review your application and documents. If necessary, they will request additional documents or information from you.
• The responsible authority will decide on your application.
• You will receive the residence permit.
• You can use the online service to submit your application. You will need a simple service account to do so.
• If you want to apply for an emergency certificate, you cannot use the online service.
• Please contact the relevant authority:
  • for an emergency certificate,
  • as an unmarried couple without children,
  • if your household has assets, real estate or similar.

Processing time

The processing time depends on the administrative effort and the current workload of the authority.

Fees

Fees apply. The amount depends on the individual case and ranges from EUR 9.00 to EUR 20.00.

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

§ 5 Housing Allocation Act (WoBindG)

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wobindg/__5.html




§ 27 (1-5) Housing Promotion Act (WoFG)

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wofg/__27.html