Child Benefit (Kindergeld)
To help families deal with the extra costs of having children, the German state provides caregivers with a monthly stipend (Kindergeld) for every child under the age of 18. This child benefit may continue up to the age of 25 if the child is pursuing higher education.
Who can receive child benefit?
- Citizens of the EU/EEA and Switzerland
- Citizens of Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Morocco, Montenegro, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey who pay social insurance contributions, receive unemployment or sickness benefit.
- Citizens of other countries with an unlimited residence permit. Certain other resident permits may also entitle to child benefit, in exceptional cases also a visa.
- Recognised refugees and persons admitted for asylum.
Note: Only one person can ever receive child benefit for the one and same child. It can be paid to parents, grandparents or foster parents. The tax identification number of the person entitled to child benefit as well as the child’s tax identification number is required for the application. This is to ensure that the child benefit is paid only once per child.
How much is child benefit?
250 euros are paid monthly for each child (as of 2023).
When does child benefit end?
Normally, child benefit ends at the end of the month in which the child reaches the 18th birthday. Under certain conditions, child benefit can be paid until the age of 25, e.g. if the child is enroled in school education, vocational training or higher education or is seeking placement in vocational training/higher education.
Information and application
You can apply for child benefit online (only in German) or at the local Familienkasse authorities.
Contact:
Familienkasse Nord
Kurt-Schumacher-Allee 16
20097 Hamburg
Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
For employed persons: Thursday 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 0800 4 5555 30 (free of charge)
Email: Familienkasse-Nord@arbeitsagentur.de
Internet: www.familienkasse.de
Child Supplement (Kinderzuschlag)
In addition to the monthly, state-paid child benefit (Kindergeld), lower-income families may be eligible for supplementary benefits to help secure their livelihood.
Who is entitled to child supplement?
Parents and single parents may be entitled to receiving supplementary child allowances for unmarried children below the age of 25 who are living in the same household. The following conditions must be met:
- Child benefit (Kindergeld) or a similar benefit is already being received for the child
- The gross income of the parents is at least EUR 900, for single parents EUR 600
- The gross income does not exceed the maximum income limit. The calculation of the maximum income threshold depends on the cost of living of the parents and is calculated by the Familienkasse authorities per case
- The child supplement is enough to cover the family's financial needs so that there is no longer any need for unemployment benefit II or income support (Sozialgeld)
How much is child supplement?
The amount of child supplement depends on parents' income and assets, with a maximum of EUR 292 per child per month in addition to the regular child benefit (Kindergeld).
Information and application
You need to apply for child supplement in writing at the local Familienkasse authorities.
Contact
Familienkasse Nord
Kurt-Schumacher-Allee 16
20097 Hamburg
Phone: 0800 4 5555 30 (free of charge)
E-mail: Familienkasse-Nord@arbeitsagentur.de
Internet: www.familienkasse.de (site in German)
