What Is "Kindergeld" (German Childcare Benefit)?

Kindergeld is a childcare benefit paid by the German state to parents working in Germany. It is also paid even when the child is residing abroad in any EU/EEA country. All children in Germany are entitled to receive child benefit starting from their birth until the age of 18.
It’s paid regardless of parent’s income and can be received generally as per the Income Tax Law, when the parents have their place of abode or habitual residence in Germany.

Kindergeld can be claimed by:

• Anyone living in Germany with a child
• Foreign citizens with a valid permanent residence permit or a temporary purpose specific residence permit
• Nationals of Switzerland, the European Union, and European Economic Area are entitled to child benefit without permanent residence permit or residence permit
• Non-EU citizens: Other foreigners need to have a permanent residence permit or residence permit to avail of the benefit.

Child benefit is paid to the parent the child lives with.

• Your spouse’s child if they live with you
• Foster children if they live in your household and are longterm members and their parents no longer have custody of them
• Grandchildren you have taken into the household

18 years is normally the age limit but this is increased to 25 in the case of:

• Young people in education or training who haven’t completed their first degree or qualification and don’t work more than 20 hours per week.
• Young people doing a year of voluntary or environmental service under the Youth Voluntary Service Act (Jugendfreiwilligendienstgesetz)
• Young people taking part in the Federal Voluntary Service Act (Bundesfreiwilligendienstgesetz)
• Young people who didn’t get a training place for their vocational training

It is paid through a bank transfer on the personal bank account of the applicant or his/her spouse. Childcare benefits due for previous periods will be paid as a lump-sum and monthly payments will follow as long as the applicant meets the requirements.

For Kindergeld (childcare benefits) we charge €150. Fee payment is required upfront.

You may need these documents to apply:

• Birth Certificate – copy of birth certificate of your child, translations of them if they are not in German
• Marriage Certificate – copy of it, translations of them if they are not in German
• Copy of Your and Your spouse’s ID
• Proof for unlimited tax liability or Tax assessment (Steuerbescheid)
• Certificate of residence and marital status (Wohnsitz-und Familienstandsbescheinigung)
• Statement for children money received in the country of residence
• Copy of your annual payment documents or final payslips
• Copy of your last German address registration

Up to 6 months after we have filed the application for you. You will receive the decision of the responsible Familienkasse (Bescheid) on your postal address as soon as your application is processed.