German court reshapes welfare housing rules to ease job centre burdens

A landmark ruling lifts administrative weight off welfare offices—but will tenants still get fair support? Berlin’s policies face fresh scrutiny under the new framework.

, and Administrator

2025 November 28 . 5:12 AM

1 min read

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Germany’s Federal Social Court (BSG) has changed how job centres assess housing costs for welfare recipients. The ruling eases the burden on authorities to prove cheaper flats are available. Instead, they must now show a clear method for setting reasonable rent levels based on local markets.

The case began with a challenge against Berlin’s approach to housing allowances between July 2015 and June 2016. The BSG overturned a previous ruling that required job centres to actively prove cheaper apartments existed. Under the new decision, authorities only need a logical system for determining fair rents, considering regional conditions.

The BSG’s ruling reduces administrative demands on job centres while keeping some protections for tenants. Welfare recipients in expensive housing may still get help if they prove they’ve searched for cheaper alternatives. The Berlin-Brandenburg court will now review whether the city’s policies fit the revised legal framework.