Child benefits (Kindergeld)

Claiming child benefits

If you are a German or EU citizen living in Germany then you are entitled to child benefit. If you are a foreign national living in Germany you are entitled to child benefit as long as you have a valid temporary residence permit or settlement permit. It is worth noting, that you should not be receiving child benefits from your anywhere else, including your home country.

Only one parent can claim child benefit so you and your partner should decide who will receive it. If you and the baby’s father are separated, the primary caregiver should claim the child benefit.

Age limit

You can receive child benefit every month until your child turns 18. However, there are some instances in which child benefit can still be claimed beyond 18:

• Your child is unemployed and registered as a job-seeker with an Employment Agency (up to age 21)

• Your child is in education or training (up to age 25 or the completion of their first vocational qualification or degree)

• Your child has a disability and needs support (up to age 25)

Amount of child benefit

Child benefit is a fixed amount of €250 per month, per child that is usually deposited into your bank account. The same amount is paid to all parents regardless of parents’ income.

Applying for child benefit

You can download the child benefit application or fill it out online here.

You will need both your tax ID and your child’s tax ID for the application. The application needs to be printed, signed and sent to the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse).