Hunting for an apartment on a budget in Berlin? Try getting a WBS
We all know how insane the Berlin apartment situation has become. Even people with a significant and stable income – in other places, an easy guarantee for locking down a lease – often have to search and wait for months or even years to find an apartment in this ever-growing city. And anyone who was lucky enough to land a cute 2-bedroom apartment with an Einbauküche (every tenant’s dream!) by the canal in Kreuzberg will be sure to never terminate their lease. At least not in this lifetime.
Then what about the freelancers and people with low incomes? You don’t need to be a psychic to know that as a freelance artist, you are most likely at the bottom of the list of potential tenants for any given landlord. And it feels close to impossible to find your own humble abode.
“Nur mit WBS” – thank you Germany!
Have you ever come across these phrases while perusing Berlin apartment listings: “ Nur mit WBS” or “Wohnberechtigungsschein erforderlich”? The mysterious Wohnberechtigungsschein [permit for subsidized housing] or WBS is a document you can apply for at the Bürgeramt. If your income does not exceed a certain amount, you might be eligible for one of the 100,000 affordable, subsidized apartments in Berlin. These apartments are funded by the city and therefore cheaper.
Once issued, the WBS is valid for one year of apartment searching. The eligible size of the apartment depends on the number of people moving in. As a single person, you can then apply for an apartment that is up to 50 m² and has 1-2 bedrooms.
The requirements differ a bit in every state. In Berlin as a single household, your net income cannot exceed 19,200€ per year (2023). That limit is higher if you’re a two-person household, a household with children, or if someone in your household has a disability.
What are the requirements besides not exceeding the income limit?
You have to be either
- a German citizen
- an EU citizen
- a citizen of another country with a residency permit which is valid for at least one year
In short: if you’re legally allowed to stay in Germany for more than year, not a minor, and don’t exceed the income limit, you are eligible!
These are some of the documents you’ll need to show
- Filled-out application form
- Einkommenserklärung (income statement)
- Einkommensbescheinigung – income certification completed by your employer. If you’re self-employed or a freelancer, you can also get a betriebswirtschaftliche Analyse (business analysis) from your tax advisor stating your income.
Additional documents like marriage certificates, or custody declarations may be required if you apply as a family/married couple/person with children/etc…
Download these forms under the section ‘Formulare’ on Berlin’s WBS web page.
And now, the question on everyone’s lips: will applying for/receiving the WBS have a negative impact on my residency permit? No! It won’t, because the WBS does not count as a social benefit in the same way that Bürgergeld (welfare) does.
Want to find out if you’re eligible? Need help with the WBS application form?
Book a coaching with us at our reduced rate and Lioba will walk you through the process.
Leave a Reply