Child Benefit Guide
Check your Kindergeld eligibility, calculate benefits, and find your Familienkasse. With document checklist. Free, no signup required.
Kindergeld, Child Supplement and Education Package — All Benefits for Families
Germany pays families comprehensive benefits for children. Kindergeld (child benefit) is the best known but not the only one: Kinderzuschlag (child supplement), Bildungs- und Teilhabeleistungen (education and participation package), Elterngeld (parental allowance), and Unterhaltsvorschuss (advance maintenance) complete the system. Our Kindergeld Guide helps you as an immigrant keep track and claim all entitlements.
Kindergeld (§§ 62–78 EStG / § 1 BKGG)
Since January 2026, Kindergeld amounts to EUR 255 per child per month — regardless of the number of children. It is paid by the Familienkasse (family fund) of the Federal Employment Agency.
- Eligibility: All persons with residence or habitual abode in Germany (§ 62 para. 1 EStG). For non-EU citizens: residence permit with work authorization (§ 62 para. 2 EStG). No Kindergeld with Aufenthaltsgestattung or Duldung (exceptions: § 62 para. 2 nos. 2–4 EStG after 15 months).
- Age: Up to 18, up to 25 during education/studies, up to 21 if job-seeking.
- Application: Written application to the Familienkasse. Retroactive claims only for 6 months (§ 70 para. 1 sentence 2 EStG).
Kinderzuschlag — Child Supplement (§ 6a BKGG)
The Kinderzuschlag (KiZ) supports families with low income. It amounts to up to EUR 292 per child per month (2026) and is paid in addition to Kindergeld.
- Minimum gross income: EUR 900 (couples) / EUR 600 (single parents)
- Income covers the parents but not the children
- No Bürgergeld receipt (KiZ aims to prevent this)
- Application also at the Familienkasse
Education and Participation Package (§§ 28–29 SGB II / § 6b BKGG)
The BuT package covers education costs for children from low-income families:
- School supplies: EUR 130 (1st half) + EUR 65 (2nd half) = EUR 195/year
- School/daycare lunch: Fully covered
- Tutoring: When at risk of not advancing
- Class trips and school excursions: Actual costs
- Social and cultural participation: EUR 15/month (sports club, music school)
- School transport: Actual costs
Elterngeld — Parental Allowance (BEEG)
After birth: Basic Elterngeld (up to 14 months, 65–100% of net income, max. EUR 1,800/month) or ElterngeldPlus (up to 28 months, max. EUR 900/month). Minimum: EUR 300 (basic) / EUR 150 (plus). Income limit since 2026: EUR 175,000 taxable annual income.
Special Considerations for Immigrants
Kindergeld eligibility depends on residence status: Blue Card holders have immediate entitlement; asylum seekers only after 15 months of residence (§ 62 para. 2 no. 3 EStG). Children abroad: Kindergeld is only paid for children living in Germany, the EU, or an EEA state.
What Our Guide Provides
- Eligibility check by residence status
- Benefit calculator for Kindergeld + Kinderzuschlag
- BuT checklist: Which benefits can you claim?
- Document checklist for each application
- Familienkasse finder by ZIP code