If you are a parent living in Germany, you may be eligible for a monthly payment from the government to support your children. This payment is called Kindergeld, and it is one of the many benefits that Germany offers to families. We will also tell you about some other benefits that parents in Germany can apply for.
Kindergeld is a monthly payment that the German government gives to parents to help them cover the basic needs of their children. It is one of the many social benefits that Germany offers to families, regardless of their income or nationality.
What is Kindergeld?
Kindergeld is the German word for child benefit or child allowance. It is a fixed sum that is paid every month per child by the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse), which is part of the Federal Employment Agency (Arbeitsagentur für Arbeit) . Kindergeld is meant to guarantee that every child’s basic needs are met, such as food, clothing, education, and health care.
How much is Kindergeld?
Since January 2023, families receive 250 euros Kindergeld per child per month . The amount does not depend on the parents’ income, tax status, or employment situation. However, it may be reduced or cancelled if:
The child has income or assets above a certain threshold
The child lives abroad for more than six months in a year
Who can claim Kindergeld?
Every parent who lives and pays taxes in Germany can claim Kindergeld for their children, as long as they meet the following criteria :
The child is unmarried and under the age of 18, or under the age of 25 if they are studying, training, volunteering, or looking for a job.
The child lives with the parent most of the time, or the parent provides financial support for the child.
The parent receives child benefits (Kindergeld) or similar benefits from another country for the child.
This means that not only biological parents, but also adoptive parents, foster parents, grandparents, guardians, step-parents, and other carers can apply for Kindergeld, as long as they are directly responsible for the child and live with them. In case of separated or divorced parents who share custody, they have to decide who will receive the Kindergeld payment, as only one person can be the beneficiary.
How to apply for Kindergeld?
To apply for Kindergeld, you need to:
Fill out an application form (Antrag auf Kindergeld) and send it by mail to your local Familienkasse office . You can find the address of your nearest office by entering your postal code on their website .
Provide some documents to prove your identity, residence, income, and relationship with the child. These may include:
Your passport or ID card
Your tax ID number
Your registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung)
Your child’s birth certificate or adoption certificate
Your child’s passport or ID card
Your child’s school or university enrollment certificate
Your child’s training or volunteer contract
Your child’s unemployment registration certificate
Your divorce decree or custody agreement
The application process may take several weeks or months, depending on your situation and the workload of the Familienkasse. You will receive a notification letter (Bescheid) once your application is approved or rejected. If approved, you will start receiving Kindergeld payments every month into your German bank account.
It is important to note that you can only receive Kindergeld in your bank account and not by any other means. Therefore, if you don't have a bank account, you should open one before you can apply for Kindergeld.
How to cancel Kindergeld?
You have to cancel Kindergeld if your circumstances change and you no longer meet the eligibility criteria . For example:
Your child gets married or turns 25 years old (unless they are still studying, training, volunteering, or looking for a job).
Your child moves out of your household or stops receiving financial support from you.
Your child moves to another country for more than six months in a year.
You move out of Germany or stop paying taxes in Germany.
To cancel Kindergeld, you need to:
Fill out a cancellation form (Abzweigungsantrag) and send it by mail to your local Familienkasse office .
Provide some documents to prove the change in your situation, such as:
Your child’s marriage certificate or divorce decree
Your child’s graduation certificate or termination certificate
Your child’s deregistration certificate (Abmeldebescheinigung) or residence permit
Your deregistration certificate or tax clearance certificate
You have to cancel Kindergeld as soon as possible, otherwise you may have to pay back some of the money that you received in error. You will receive a confirmation letter (Bescheid) once your cancellation is processed.
What other benefits are available for parents in Germany?
Besides Kindergeld, there are other benefits and allowances that parents in Germany can apply for, depending on their situation and income. Some of these are:
Parental allowance (Elterngeld): This is a payment of up to 1,800 euros per month for up to 14 months for parents who take time off work to care for their newborn or adopted child . You can apply for it at the parental allowance office (Elterngeldstelle) in your state.
Parental leave (Elternzeit): This is a legal right to take up to three years of unpaid leave from work to care for your child until they turn eight years old . You have to inform your employer at least seven weeks before you start your leave.
Childcare subsidy (Betreuungsgeld): This is a payment of 150 euros per month for up to 22 months for parents who do not use public childcare services for their child between the ages of 15 and 36 months . You can apply for it at the youth welfare office (Jugendamt) in your municipality.
Education and participation package (Bildungs- und Teilhabepaket): This is a package of benefits that covers the costs of school trips, school supplies, tutoring, lunch, sports, and cultural activities for children from low-income families . You can apply for it at the social welfare office (Sozialamt) or the job center (Jobcenter) in your municipality.
Final Thoughts
Kindergeld in Germany is a generous and universal benefit that supports parents and children in various ways. It is easy to apply for and receive, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria and provide the necessary documents. It is also important to keep track of any changes in your situation and cancel Kindergeld if you no longer qualify for it. If you have any questions or doubts about Kindergeld or any other benefits for parents in Germany, you can contact your local Familienkasse office or consult a tax advisor.