Child benefit (Kindergeld)

Kindergeld (child benefit) is a monthly state payment to parents in Germany to support them financially in raising their children.

Amount in 2025:

• €255 per child per month (the same for all children)
• = €3,060 per year per child
• Planned for 2026: €259/month

Who receives child benefit?

• All parents resident in Germany (regardless of income)
• Up to age 18: automatically
• Up to age 25: if the child is in vocational training, at university or doing a voluntary social year/federal volunteer service (FSJ/BFD)
• Without age limit: for a disability that occurred before the age of 25

Application:

• At the Familienkasse (family benefits office) of the Federal Employment Agency
• Online via familienkasse.de
• Retroactively: only possible for the last 6 months

Child benefit vs. child allowance:

• The tax office automatically checks which is more favourable
• From approx. €75,000–80,000 gross (couples) the tax allowance is more advantageous
• Below that: child benefit is better

Also possible:

• Kinderzuschlag (child supplement): up to €292/child for low earners (on top!)
• Wohngeld (housing benefit): is NOT offset against child benefit