Guide · Housing entitlement certificate

The WBS – your key to
Berlin's cheapest flats

Many of Berlin's cheapest flats are subsidised and only available with a WBS (housing entitlement certificate). Here you'll find who gets one, how the application works – and why you should apply before the flat appears.

What the WBS is – and what you need it for

The housing entitlement certificate (WBS) is official proof that your household income is below a set limit. Only with it are you allowed to rent a subsidised flat – and in Berlin these include many of the cheapest listings from the state-owned companies and cooperatives. If a listing says “WBS required”, the landlord checks the certificate before the tenancy agreement; without a valid WBS, your application has no chance.

264WBS flats currently listed
751flats explicitly without WBS
~ 1 yearis how long an issued WBS is valid

The most important tip first: apply for the WBS before the right flat appears. Processing usually takes several weeks – but subsidised flats are often gone within hours. If you already have the certificate in your folder, you can apply right away.

Who gets a WBS

What counts is the annual income of all household members, from which flat rates and allowances are deducted (e.g. for work-related expenses, social insurance, children, severe disability). As a guide: for a single-person household, the limit for the basic level (WBS 100) is 12.000 € of countable annual income, and for the regular WBS 140 it is 16.800 € – Berlin also issues certificates at levels WBS 140, 160 and 180 for middle incomes, with correspondingly higher limits. Many people underestimate their chances: even with an average salary, one of the levels is often within reach.

Calculate in advance: the WBS calculator works out in one minute, from your household, gross income and allowances, which level (100, 140, 160, 180, 220) you may qualify for – for Berlin and Potsdam.

The limits change regularly. Only the authority's calculation is binding – you'll find the current figures and the online application at service.berlin.de (Wohnberechtigungsschein).

How the application works

  1. Gather documents: ID, proof of income from your employer (official form), for the self-employed the latest tax assessment, and if applicable notices about pension, citizen's income (Bürgergeld), parental allowance or BAföG – for all persons who will move in.
  2. Submit the application: online via the service portal or at the housing office of your district. The district office will tell you whether there is a fee; for recipients of social benefits the application is free.
  3. Wait: expect a processing time of a few weeks. The certificate is then valid for one year and throughout Berlin – not only in the district that issued it.

If you urgently need a flat (notice to quit, separation, health reasons, overcrowding), also apply for recognition of a special housing need (“WBS with urgency”) – this puts you in a priority group for some of the subsidised flats.

The WBS and searching for a flat with WohnAlert

Wherever the source provides it, every flat on WohnAlert carries a clear label: “WBS required” means there's no point applying without the certificate – “no WBS” means the flat is open to everyone. In the app you can even filter your search profile by this, so your alert only reports what you're actually allowed to rent.

FAQ

How long does it take to get a WBS?
Several weeks, depending on the district and workload. That's exactly why it pays to apply before your dream flat turns up – you usually need to have the certificate already when you apply for the flat.
How much does the WBS cost?
Your district office (Bezirksamt) will tell you whether there is a fee. People receiving social benefits usually pay nothing.
Is a Berlin WBS valid in other districts too?
Yes. The certificate is valid throughout Berlin, no matter which district office issued it. Other federal states have their own rules.
What do WBS 140, 160 and 180 mean?
These are Berlin income levels above the basic level: 140 means up to 40 percent above the basic limit, 160 and 180 correspondingly more. Some subsidised flats are specifically reserved for these middle incomes – the listing then says, for example, “WBS 140 required”.
I earn a “normal” income – is it even worth applying?
Often, yes. Thanks to the allowances and the levels up to WBS 180, households with middle incomes can qualify too. The application costs little – a rejection costs you nothing but the fee.

Don't search. Get notified.

WohnAlert checks the official Berlin landlords around the clock and sends new flats to your phone for free – with the WBS status marked on every flat. With a free account, no ads.

Download the app →

Read more: WBS calculator · Finding a cooperative flat · How to apply · Rental market report · all flats

This guide has been carefully researched, but it is not legal advice. Income limits, fees and procedures change – the information from the authorities and landlords is binding.

Legal notice · Privacy · Terms · Contact · Cancel contracts here