What Kindergeld is

Kindergeld is monthly child benefit paid by the Familienkasse, which is part of the Federal Employment Agency. In 2026 it is €259 per month for each child. It is paid per child, with no limit and no reduction for a higher income.

Who can get it

You can usually claim for:

  • Children up to age 18.
  • Children up to 25 who are in education, vocational training or a voluntary service year.
  • Children up to 21 who are registered as unemployed.
  • A child of any age with a disability that began before 25 and who cannot support themselves.

You need to live in Germany or the EU/EEA and be tax resident in Germany. People from outside the EU may also qualify if they hold a residence permit that allows work. Check the residence permit type, because some short term permits do not qualify.

How to apply

  1. Fill in the Kindergeld application form on the Familienkasse website, or use the online form.
  2. Attach the child's birth certificate and tax ID number.
  3. Provide your own tax ID and bank account.
  4. Submit it to your local Familienkasse.

Only one person receives the payment for each child, usually the parent who looks after the child. If the child is over 18, you need to send proof of education or training each year.

Backdating

You can claim up to six months back from the month you apply, but no further. If your child was born months ago and you have not applied, do it now.

The child allowance alternative

The tax system has its own child allowance (Kinderfreibetrag), which reduces taxable income. For every year, the tax office compares what you got in Kindergeld with the tax saved by using the allowances, and gives you whichever is better. This is the Günstigerprüfung and it happens automatically in your tax return.

For most families, Kindergeld is worth more. For higher earners, the allowances can become worth more than the benefit. You do not need to choose. The tax office does the comparison.

What else depends on Kindergeld

  • Child supplement (Kinderzuschlag) for low income families builds on it.
  • The education and participation package for children.
  • Some employers give a child allowance in pay if you have a child.

Having a child also affects tax class, church tax and solidarity surcharge calculations. See how your take-home pay changes with the Germany salary calculator.

Common mistakes

  • Waiting too long to apply and losing months of payments.
  • Forgetting to send annual proof when a child over 18 is studying.
  • Not telling the Familienkasse when a child starts full time work, which can lead to repayment demands.

The short version

Apply as soon as your child is born or arrives in Germany. It is not income tested and the payments are tax free. Let the tax office work out in your return whether allowances would be better.

A worked example with three children

A family with three children receives €259 per child each month. That is €777 a month, or €9,324 a year, paid tax free and not reduced by income. If the oldest child turns 18 and starts university, the payment continues until the child turns 25 as long as you send proof of enrolment, and there is no cap on the child's own earnings for this purpose.

At the end of the year, the tax office also compares the €9,324 with the tax saving from the child allowances for the family. If the allowances would give you a larger benefit, which happens mainly at high incomes, the difference is credited to you automatically. If Kindergeld is higher, which is the case for most families, you simply keep it.

Questions people ask

Is Kindergeld taxable income? No. It is paid tax free.

Can I claim for a child living abroad? In many cases yes, if the child lives in the EU or EEA, but the rules differ. Ask the Familienkasse.

What happens when my child turns 18? Payments continue if they are studying, training or looking for a place. You need to send the Familienkasse proof.

Who gets it if parents are separated? The parent who has the child in their household. They can agree to pass it to the other parent if that parent pays the child's costs.

Did the amount change in 2026? Yes. It is €259 per child per month in 2026, up from €255 in 2025.

Can I get Kindergeld for a stepchild? In many cases yes, if the child lives in your household. The Familienkasse will want to know the details.