Child benefit (Kindergeld)
A monthly payment for almost every family raising a child in Germany — €255 per child.
Verified as of 2026-06-12 · Official source
About this benefit
Kindergeld is a flat monthly payment from the Familienkasse for families raising children, regardless of income. Most families resident in Germany qualify for each child up to 18 (or up to 25 in education or training). It can usually be claimed for a limited period retroactively, so it is worth applying early. This page explains what the benefit is and where to apply; it does not assess your individual entitlement.
You may be eligible if
- You are raising a child who lives in your household in Germany.
- It is paid for children up to 18, and up to 25 if they are in school, study or training.
- It does not depend on your income.
Heads up: The state plans to pay Kindergeld automatically for newborns (Kindergrundsicherung / automatic enrolment, planned from ~2027), which would remove the separate application for new babies.
Official sources
Change log
- 2026-06-12 — Initial publication.
Information, not legal or tax advice. Always check the official source for your case.