Apply for a certificate of eligibility for housing

Responsibility lies with the housing and social welfare offices of the administrative districts, the independent cities, the large independent cities and the independent municipalities.

• German or EU nationality
• Other nationality with a residence permit usually valid for at least one year, or individual case decision
• Age of majority (or consent of the legal guardian/legal guardian)
• Households whose qualifying income does not exceed the income limit. Compliance with the income limit depends primarily on the number of people in the household and the income of all household members. The calculation is generally based on the gross annual income of all persons living in the household for the previous calendar year. In addition, there are exemptions and deductions, for example for people with a recognized severe disability/recognized degree of care.
• One of the requirements is that you are not only staying in the Federal Republic of Germany temporarily, but that you have or want to establish your center of life here. The center of your life is the place where you settle permanently, voluntarily, alone or with your family.

Forms available: Yes

Personal appearance required: No

Please contact the local authority to which you are applying to find out whether it is possible to apply online.

For written applications

• Identity card for German citizens and nationals from the European Community (ID card)
• Passport for foreign citizens with a residence permit valid for at least one year

In addition:

• Declaration of income from each member of the household who has their own income
• Depending on the income earned, appropriate proof must be submitted. This can be, for example
• Pay slips from the previous year
• Pay slips for the last 12 months
• Annual income tax statement for the previous year
• Income tax assessment of the previous year

Depending on your personal situation, further documents may also be required:

For example:

• Certificate of disability (e.g. for severely disabled people)
• Certificate of enrollment (e.g. for students)
• BAföGBescheide (for recipients of educational grants)
• Pension certificate (e.g. for pensioners)
• Proof of benefits from the job center (e.g. for the unemployed)

This list is not exhaustive.

Depending on the case, the administrative staff may require additional documents. If this is the case, you will be contacted immediately.

The fee for the decision on the application for a residence entitlement certificate is between EUR 18 and EUR 40.

You can apply for a certificate of eligibility for housing:

• If you need advice, you can have a personal or telephone consultation with an employee of your local authority before submitting your application.
• To apply, fill out the application form digitally or on paper and attach the required documents.
• Your application will be checked by the staff at your competent authority. If necessary, you will be asked to answer questions.
• After the check, you will receive feedback as to whether or not you are entitled to a housing entitlement certificate. If yes, you will be issued with the certificate of eligibility.

Cannot be specified exactly, as the period varies depending on the municipality, the scope and content of the application and the documents to be checked. Final processing can only take place once all the necessary documents have been submitted.

False information can be prosecuted and punished as false certification or fraud. A residence entitlement certificate issued can be revoked if it was issued on the basis of incomplete or incorrect information.

• The Lower Saxony Housing and Residential Neighborhood Development Act (NWoFG) applies

An appeal can be lodged against the authority's decision. Further information can be found in the notice/ certificate of eligibility for housing.