diff --git a/src/server/pointer_interface.cpp b/src/server/pointer_interface.cpp
--- a/src/server/pointer_interface.cpp
+++ b/src/server/pointer_interface.cpp
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@
                 return;
             }
             const QPointF pos = d->seat->focusedPointerSurfaceTransformation().map(d->seat->pointerPos());
-            auto targetSurface = d->focusedSurface->surfaceAt(pos);
+            auto targetSurface = d->focusedSurface->inputSurfaceAt(pos);
             if (!targetSurface) {
                 targetSurface = d->focusedSurface;
             }
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@
     );
 
     const QPointF pos = d->seat->focusedPointerSurfaceTransformation().map(d->seat->pointerPos());
-    d->focusedChildSurface = QPointer<SurfaceInterface>(d->focusedSurface->surfaceAt(pos));
+    d->focusedChildSurface = QPointer<SurfaceInterface>(d->focusedSurface->inputSurfaceAt(pos));
     if (!d->focusedChildSurface) {
         d->focusedChildSurface = QPointer<SurfaceInterface>(d->focusedSurface);
     }
diff --git a/src/server/surface_interface.h b/src/server/surface_interface.h
--- a/src/server/surface_interface.h
+++ b/src/server/surface_interface.h
@@ -211,6 +211,21 @@
      **/
     SurfaceInterface *surfaceAt(const QPointF &position);
 
+    /**
+     * Finds the input receiving SurfaceInterface at the given @p position in surface-local coordinates.
+     * This can be either a descendant SurfaceInterface honoring the stacking order or
+     * the SurfaceInterface itself if its geometry contains the given @p position.
+     *
+     * If no such SurfaceInterface is found, e.g. because the SurfaceInterface is unmapped or there is no
+     * input region containing the position,
+     * @c nullptr is returned.
+     *
+     * @param position The position in surface-local coordinates
+     * @returns Input receiving child surface at the given @p position or surface itself at the position, might be @c nullptr
+     * @since 5.52
+     **/
+    SurfaceInterface *inputSurfaceAt(const QPointF &position);
+
     /**
      * Sets the @p outputs this SurfaceInterface overlaps with, may be empty.
      *
diff --git a/src/server/surface_interface.cpp b/src/server/surface_interface.cpp
--- a/src/server/surface_interface.cpp
+++ b/src/server/surface_interface.cpp
@@ -860,6 +860,35 @@
     return nullptr;
 }
 
+SurfaceInterface *SurfaceInterface::inputSurfaceAt(const QPointF &position)
+{
+    // TODO: Most of this is very similar to SurfaceInterface::surfaceAt
+    //       Is there a way to reduce the code duplication?
+    if (!isMapped()) {
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+    Q_D();
+    // go from top to bottom. Top most child is last in list
+    QListIterator<QPointer<SubSurfaceInterface>> it(d->current.children);
+    it.toBack();
+    while (it.hasPrevious()) {
+        const auto &current = it.previous();
+        auto surface = current->surface();
+        if (surface.isNull()) {
+            continue;
+        }
+        if (auto s = surface->inputSurfaceAt(position - current->position())) {
+            return s;
+        }
+    }
+    // check whether the geometry and input region contain the pos
+    if (!size().isEmpty() && QRectF(QPoint(0, 0), size()).contains(position) &&
+            (inputIsInfinite() || input().contains(position.toPoint()))) {
+        return this;
+    }
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
 QPointer<LockedPointerInterface> SurfaceInterface::lockedPointer() const
 {
     Q_D();
diff --git a/src/server/surface_interface_p.h b/src/server/surface_interface_p.h
--- a/src/server/surface_interface_p.h
+++ b/src/server/surface_interface_p.h
@@ -81,6 +81,9 @@
     void installPointerConstraint(ConfinedPointerInterface *confinement);
     void installIdleInhibitor(IdleInhibitorInterface *inhibitor);
 
+    typedef bool (*containsPtr) (const QSize &size, const QRegion &input, const QPointF &position);
+    SurfaceInterface *processAt(const QPointF &position, containsPtr contains);
+
     void commitSubSurface();
     void commit();