Child Benefit (Kindergeld) in Germany: Amount, Who Can Get It, and How to Apply
Kindergeld is a government child benefit in Germany paid to most families. It helps with the costs of raising a child and is paid every month. This article explains who can get Kindergeld, how much it is, and how to apply for it.
What is Kindergeld?
Kindergeld is a government benefit for families with children in Germany. It is paid to parents or guardians to help with the costs of raising a child. People often call it “child benefit” or “child money” in everyday language. The benefit is paid every month, no matter if the parents are working or not, as long as they meet the rules.
Kindergeld is paid by the Familienkasse 1, which is a special department of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).
The benefit is paid for each child. If you have more than one child, you get a separate payment for every child.
Kindergeld is just one way that families with children are supported in Germany. Parents and children can also get other benefits, tax allowances, and extra payments, such as Kinderzuschlag, Elterngeld, help for education costs, or housing benefits. You can find an overview of all support for families on the page Benefits and support for families with children in Germany.
How much is Kindergeld?
The amount of Kindergeld is set by the government and is the same for all families, no matter how much money the parents earn. The payment is made every month for each child, directly into the parent’s or guardian’s bank account.
At the moment, Kindergeld is 259.00 euros per month for each child. 2
In the past, the amount of Kindergeld was higher if you had three or more children. Now, the system has been made simpler and the same amount is paid for each child. This means that you do not get more money for your third or fourth child than for your first or second.
How Kindergeld has changed over the years
The amount of Kindergeld is reviewed from time to time and can go up depending on social policy and the economic situation. In the last 20 years, the payment has increased from 164 € to 259 € per month. That’s an increase of 95 €.
On average, Kindergeld has gone up by about 4.75 € each year.
The chart below (Chart 1) shows how child benefit payments have changed in Germany over recent years.
Chart 1. How child benefit has changed over the years
With the current payment of 259.00 € per month, a family gets 3,108.00 € per year. Over 18 years, this adds up to about 56,000.00 €. If your child continues studying at university or in vocational training, you may get payments until your child turns 25 years old. This means families can get even more support overall.
Until what age is Kindergeld paid?
In most cases, Kindergeld is paid until your child turns 18. This is the basic rule for all families. After 18, payments can continue if your child cannot support themselves yet. There are different age limits depending on your situation 3.
| Up to 18 years old | Payments are made for all children. |
|---|---|
| Up to 21 years old | If your child does not have a job or only works a little and is registered as looking for work at the Agentur für Arbeit. |
| Up to 25 years old | If your child is in education or training (for example, at school, college or university), doing voluntary service (like FSJ or Bundesfreiwilligendienst), or looking for a place to study. |
| No age limit | If your child has a disability that started before age 25 and cannot support themselves. |
So, normally you get Kindergeld until your child turns 18, but depending on your situation, payments can continue until 21 or even 25 years old.
In some cases there may be extra rules, limits or exceptions, so if you are unsure about your situation, it’s best to ask at the Familienkasse or a family advice centre.
Who can get Kindergeld?
The right to get Kindergeld is set out in German law. The main law is the Bundeskindergeldgesetz (BKGG) 4 — the Child Benefit Act. For some people, rules from the Income Tax Act (Einkommensteuergesetz, EStG) 5 also apply, because families can sometimes get support either as Kindergeld or as a tax allowance (Kinderfreibetrag).
You can get Kindergeld if you are a parent, guardian or someone who actually brings up the child and pays for their care. The benefit is paid to one parent or legal representative of the child.
The main conditions for getting Kindergeld are: having a child, living in Germany, and having the right to live or work in Germany.
In most cases, you can get Kindergeld if you are:
- A German citizen living in Germany;
- A citizen of an EU country, if you live or work in Germany;
- A non-EU citizen with a valid residence permit, if your status allows you to get social benefits.
An important rule is that the child must live in Germany or another EU country. In some cases you can still get Kindergeld if your child lives in another country but you work in Germany.
How to apply for Kindergeld
Kindergeld is not given automatically. To start getting payments, you must apply (Antrag) at the Familienkasse 1 — an office of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).
You can apply in several ways: online through the official Familienkasse portal, by sending a filled-in form by post, or by going in person to your local Familienkasse office.
You usually need these documents to apply:
- ID card or residence permit of the parents;
- The child’s birth certificate;
- The tax number (Steuer-ID) of both the child and parents;
- Your bank details so they can pay you;
- In some cases – extra documents (for example proof that your child is still studying after age 18).
You should apply as soon as possible after your child is born. After checking your documents, Familienkasse will make a decision and send you a written notice (Bescheid). Once your application is approved, payments will be made every month into your bank account.
Frequently Asked Questions about Child Benefit in Germany
Questions and Answers
How much is Kindergeld in Germany?
The current amount of Kindergeld is 259.00 € per month for each child. The amount is the same no matter how many children you have.
Do you get Kindergeld for each child?
Yes. The benefit is paid separately for each child. For example, if you have two children, you will receive 518.00 € per month.
Is Kindergeld taxed?
No. Kindergeld is not taxed as income. However, when working out your taxes, the state checks if it’s better for your family to get Kindergeld or a tax allowance (Kinderfreibetrag).
Can you get Kindergeld if parents are working?
Yes. Kindergeld is paid whether parents are working or not, as long as you meet the rules for getting it.
Can you get Kindergeld if your child studies after 18?
Yes. If your child goes to school, university or does Ausbildung (vocational training), Kindergeld usually continues until age 25.
Can you get Kindergeld backdated?
Yes, but only for up to 6 months before you applied.
Can foreigners get Kindergeld?
Yes. Foreign citizens can get Kindergeld if they have the right to live or work in Germany and meet the other rules.
If my child lives in another country, can I still get Kindergeld?
In some cases yes – for example if parents work in Germany and their child lives in another EU country.
When do Kindergeld payments stop?
Usually payments stop when your child turns 18 years old, unless they are still studying or doing vocational training.
How can I find out when my Kindergeld will be paid?
The payment date depends on the last digit of your Kindergeldnummer. Each number has a set payment date during the month.
Sources of information and data explanations
- The Family Benefits Office of the Federal Employment Agency: Familienkasse
- The amount of child benefit shown is valid from 1 January 2026 this year. Source: Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Kindergeld
- You can read more about child benefit, age limits and eligibility in this brochure: Merkblatt zum Kindergeld (KG2)
- The Federal Child Benefit Act: Bundeskindergeldgesetz (BKGG)
- The Federal Income Tax Act: Einkommensteuergesetz (EStG)
Author team finanz-handbuch.de
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