Kindergeld — €255 per child, per month

Kindergeld is a monthly cash payment from the German government to help parents cover everyday child-rearing costs. It is not means-tested — you receive the same amount regardless of income — but you must apply; the money does not arrive automatically. For expats, the key requirement is holding a work-permitting residence title and being registered in Germany.

How Much You Get and Who Qualifies

In 2026, Kindergeld is 259 euros per child per month. This is a flat rate applied to every child equally, regardless of birth order or how many children you have. The amount is paid into your designated German bank account every month without interruption or additional paperwork, unless circumstances change.

You are eligible if you are a foreign resident with a work-permitting residence permit or settlement permit (such as a Blue Card, skilled worker visa, or Niederlassungserlaubnis). EU and EEA citizens with a valid right of residence generally qualify automatically. If you are a refugee, asylum applicant, or family member of a German citizen, you may also be eligible. The deciding factor is legal residence and the right to work or reside — not your nationality.

Income does not matter. Kindergeld is paid to anyone meeting the residency and permit requirements, whether you earn 1,000 euros or 100,000 euros per year. The child must live in your household and be under the age limits specified below.

Age Limits: How Long Kindergeld Continues

Until 18 (Automatic)

Kindergeld is paid automatically until your child turns 18. There is no application needed at this stage — the payments simply continue. When your child reaches their 18th birthday, the Familienkasse will normally send you a letter explaining what you need to do to continue receiving Kindergeld if they are in education or training.

Until 25 (Ausbildung, University, or Other Training)

Kindergeld can continue until age 25 if your child is in recognized education or training. This includes university, vocational training (Berufsausbildung or duale Ausbildung), apprenticeships, and school-based training programs. Your child may also work part-time or earn money alongside their studies without affecting eligibility. Income limits do not apply.

Kindergeld may also extend to age 25 if your child is in a recognized gap year or transition period between training stages — but only for a maximum of four months. For example, if your child finishes secondary school in July and begins university in October, they remain eligible for the four-month gap. Beyond four months, you must prove they have started the next stage of education or training.

If your child is searching for an apprenticeship position (ausbildungssuchend) or is registered as unemployed while job-seeking (arbeitssuchend), Kindergeld continues until age 21. This requires proof of genuine, documented job-search efforts.

A child with a recognized disability preventing them from supporting themselves can receive Kindergeld indefinitely, even beyond age 25. Proof of the disability and its impact on earning capacity must be provided to the Familienkasse.

The Steuer-ID: What You Need Before Applying

A critical requirement since 2016 is that both you and your child must have a Steuer-ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer, or tax identification number). This is an 11-digit number issued automatically by the Federal Central Tax Office and is permanent for life.

Getting Your Own Steuer-ID

Your Steuer-ID is issued automatically when you complete your Anmeldung (address registration) at your local Bürgeramt (Citizens' Office). You do not need to apply for it separately. The Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (Federal Central Tax Office) will send it to your registered address within two to four weeks. The letter will contain your full 11-digit number.

If you have not received your Steuer-ID after 4–6 weeks, contact your local Finanzamt (tax office) with your name, date of birth, and registration address. They can help you retrieve it or request a new notice sent by post. There is no cost for this.

Getting Your Child's Steuer-ID

Children born in Germany receive their Steuer-ID automatically within a few days to two months of birth registration. Children of expats also receive one automatically when registered with the Anmeldung. Like your own, it arrives by post to your registered address.

You do not need to wait for the Steuer-ID letter to arrive before applying for Kindergeld. You can submit your application and provide the child's Steuer-ID once the letter arrives — the Familienkasse accepts applications with a 'to follow' note.

How to Apply: Online and Offline Options

Applications are handled by the Familienkasse (Family Benefits Office), which is part of the Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). You can apply online, by post, or in person. Online is fastest and recommended.

Online Application with BundID (Fastest)

The easiest method is to apply online using a BundID account. This is a secure digital identity verified through your German ID card or electronic residency permit. With a BundID, you can submit your application digitally without printing, signing, or mailing anything.

1. Create a BundID account at id.bund.de if you do not have one. You will need a German ID card (Personalausweis) with the chip function, or an eID card (for EU/EEA citizens).
2. Visit the Familienkasse online portal at arbeitsagentur.de and navigate to the Kindergeld application form.
3. Log in with your BundID and complete the form. You will need to enter your Steuer-ID and your child's Steuer-ID, as well as basic information about both of you.
4. Upload supporting documents if required (birth certificate, proof of residence, copy of residence permit for non-EU citizens).
5. Submit. You will receive a digital confirmation immediately, and the Familienkasse will contact you by mail within a few weeks.

This process is paperless and takes about 10–15 minutes to complete. It is the fastest route to approval.

Online Application Without BundID

If you do not have a BundID, you can still apply online. You fill in the form on the Familienkasse website, print it, sign it by hand, and mail it to the address shown. This takes longer and involves postal delays, but follows the same process otherwise.

Paper Application by Mail

You can download the official Kindergeld application form (KG 1) from arbeitsagentur.de, fill it in by hand, sign it, and mail it to your local Familienkasse. Find the correct office for your area by entering your postcode on the Agentur für Arbeit website.

In-Person Application

You can visit your local Familienkasse office, collect a form, fill it in on the spot, and submit it in person. This guarantees immediate receipt but does not speed up processing significantly. Most offices require an appointment; call ahead or check their website.

Documents and Information You Will Need

• Your own Steuer-ID (11-digit number from the Federal Tax Office letter)
• Your child's Steuer-ID (or commitment to provide it once received)
• Your child's birth certificate (original or certified copy)
• Your copy of your residence permit (if you are a non-EU citizen)
• A German bank account number where payments should be transferred
• Basic personal details: names, dates of birth, address, family status

For children age 18 and over, you must additionally provide evidence of their education or training status, such as a university enrollment certificate or apprenticeship contract. This can be uploaded during the application or submitted later.

Retroactive Payment and Timing — The Critical 6-Month Rule

One of the most important rules is that Kindergeld can only be paid retroactively for the six calendar months immediately before your application is received by the Familienkasse. Payments before that period are lost forever and cannot be recovered.

For example, if your child is born in January but you do not apply until the following August, you will receive payment only from March onward — the seven months from January through February are forfeited. If you apply in September, you lose eight months. This applies even if you were eligible the entire time.

Once approved, Kindergeld is paid monthly into your bank account on a fixed schedule. The exact date depends on the last digit of your Kindergeldnummer (child benefit number), assigned by the Familienkasse. A payment calendar is published annually.

Continuing Payments and Updating Your Status

Payments stop automatically at age 18 unless you have already informed the Familienkasse that your child is continuing in education or training. For children continuing into school, university, or apprenticeship, you must notify the Familienkasse and provide proof of enrollment or a training contract.

You must also inform the Familienkasse immediately if any of the following change: your child moves out of your household, their education ends or is interrupted, they start earning above a certain threshold in a second career (rules vary by situation), your family relocates abroad, or you change your bank account.

You can manage these updates online via your Familienkasse-Profil (account) if you have one, or by sending a written notice. Failing to report changes can lead to overpayment and demands for repayment, so stay proactive.

What Happens at Tax Time

Kindergeld itself is not taxable income and does not need to be declared on your annual tax return. However, when you file your tax return with the Finanzamt, the tax office automatically checks whether you would be better off receiving a child tax allowance (Kinderfreibetrag) instead of Kindergeld. This automatic check is called the Günstigerprüfung (more-favorable check). The result is calculated for you — you do not need to do anything — and your tax bill is adjusted accordingly.

For most families, Kindergeld is more favorable than the tax allowance, so you keep the monthly payments and receive no additional tax benefit. Families with very high incomes may find the allowance better, in which case the Finanzamt will adjust your tax and may ask for Kindergeld to be offset or refunded. This is rare and handled automatically.

Expat-Specific Considerations

If you are an EU or EEA citizen, you generally qualify automatically as long as you are legally resident and registered. If you are a non-EU citizen, you must hold a work-permitting residence permit — such as a skilled worker visa, Blue Card, or settlement permit. Work-permit-free residence titles (such as tourist visas or student visas without work authorization) do not qualify. Verify with the Familienkasse if you are uncertain about your eligibility.

If one or both parents work outside Germany — such as in a bordering country — special forms may be required. These are called Anlage Ausland (foreign attachment) or, for EU citizens, Anlage EU. The Familienkasse will advise you if your situation requires these additional forms.

If you leave Germany temporarily but return, or if you work part-time outside Germany, your eligibility usually remains intact as long as your primary residence is in Germany and you hold a valid residence permit.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

My Steuer-ID or my child's has not arrived. Can I still apply?

Yes. You can begin your application and note that the ID will be provided when it arrives. The Familienkasse accepts applications with pending IDs. However, do not delay your application waiting for the letter — apply immediately and submit the ID as soon as it arrives. Every week of delay costs you retroactive payment.

My child turned 18. Do payments continue?

Not automatically. You must inform the Familienkasse and provide proof that your child is in education, training, or a recognized gap year. If you do not respond to their request for evidence, payments will stop. Set a calendar reminder for the month your child turns 18 to prepare your documentation.

My application was rejected. What can I do?

The Familienkasse will send you a written notice (Bescheid) explaining the reason. You have one month to file an objection (Einspruch). You do not need a lawyer, and you do not need to pay a fee. Write a letter to the Familienkasse stating your objection and providing any additional supporting documents. Staff at local youth migration services can also assist you in preparing a response.

I have multiple children. Do I need to apply once or multiple times?

You apply once and list all your eligible children on the form. The Familienkasse issues a single application decision covering all children, and you receive a single combined payment (or separate payments if you prefer) each month.