Apply for a residence entitlement certificate

You can apply for a residence entitlement certificate:

• If you need advice, you can obtain a personal or telephone consultation with an employee of your competent 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 of 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 residence entitlement certificate. If yes, you will be issued with the certificate of eligibility.

In the municipalities with an increased housing requirement, which are defined in the Annex to Section 1 of the Social Housing Transfer Ordinance, the housing entitlement certificate does not apply in principle. If a person seeking accommodation wishes to move into social housing in one of these municipalities, they must submit an application for registration as a person seeking accommodation in this municipality.

Every municipality in Hesse is responsible for issuing a general housing entitlement certificate; as a rule, the municipality in which the person seeking accommodation has their place of residence. If the applicant resides outside Hesse, the municipality in which he or she wishes to move into a flat is generally responsible.

• German or EU nationality
• Other nationality with a residence permit that is generally valid for at least one year
• 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 above all 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 recognised severe disability/recognised care degree.
• One of the requirements is that you are not only staying in the Federal Republic of Germany temporarily, but that you have or wish to establish your centre of life here. The centre of your life is the place where you settle permanently, voluntarily, alone or with your family.

The income thresholds for social housing are currently

• for a single-person household is 20,146 euros per year,
• for a two-person household is 30,565 euros per year,
• plus 6,948 euros per year for each additional person included in the household.

The income limit increases by a further 924 euros per year for each child included in the household.

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

For electronic applications

Legitimisation (user name / password) is also required electronically.

In addition:

• Declaration of income from each member of the household who has their own income
• Depending on the income earned, appropriate evidence must be submitted.
• These 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:

• Disability certificate (e.g. for severely disabled people)
• Certificate of enrolment (e.g. for students)
• BAföG notifications (for recipients of educational grants)
• Pension certificate (e.g. for pensioners)
• Proof of benefits from the job centre (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.
 

• § Section 5 of the Hessian Housing Binding Act (HWoBindG)
• § Section 17 of the Hessian Housing Promotion Act (HWoFG)
• Housing Promotion Act (WoFG)

In principle, an objection to the decision can be lodged with the authority that issued the administrative act in writing, in electronic form or for the record within one month of its notification. The objection can also be lodged with the authority that issued the notice of objection.

Depending on what your city or municipality offers, you can download an application form from the Internet.

• Housing authorisation certificate issue
• People receive a residence entitlement certificate if:
  • Your household has a low income
  • You would like to establish a permanent residence
  • You have German or EU citizenship or another nationality with a residence permit.
  • As a rule, this residence permit must be valid for at least one year, exceptions are possible in individual cases.
  • You can apply for a residence entitlement certificate from the relevant authority.
  • The application can be submitted in writing or electronically.
• Responsible: Housing authority of the city or municipal administration

• Information on the procurement of social rented flats
• Information on the misoccupancy tax