Kindergeld
Child benefit
Up to €3,000 per child per year — Germany's most important family benefit.
Start application →Kindergeld is a monthly state benefit for all parents and legal guardians in Germany, regardless of income. It is paid until the child reaches majority — and until age 25 if the child is in vocational training, university, FSJ/FÖJ, or Bundesfreiwilligendienst (federal voluntary service). Applications are submitted to the Familienkasse of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). The amount is paid monthly to the registered account. Anyone with residence or habitual stay in Germany — including many EU citizens and foreign nationals with a valid residence permit — is entitled to Kindergeld.
Eligibility
- Residence or habitual stay in Germany
- At least one own, step-, foster- or grandchild in your household
- Child under 18 — or under 25 if in vocational training, university study, FSJ/FÖJ, or Bundesfreiwilligendienst, or seeking an apprenticeship
- For disabled children: no age limit if the disability began before age 25
- EU citizens: yes, if employed with social-security contributions in Germany
- Third-country nationals: only with a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or specific residence titles per § 62 (2) EStG
2 × €259 = 518 € per month (2 child(ren) under 18).
- Eligible children 2
- Rate per child (2026) €259 / month
- Per year 6.216 €
Live calculation 2026 — free, no signup
Source: Bundesagentur für Arbeit — press release 53/2025 (German)