What is Kindergeld and how much is it?
Kindergeld is Germany's universal child benefit — a monthly payment made to one parent per child regardless of their employment status, income level, or tax class. It is administered by the Familienkasse, which is part of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).
Amount (as of 2025):
- €255 per month for each child
The flat rate applies to all children equally — the second child receives the same amount as the first, the third the same as the second. This was changed in 2023 (previously the amount increased per additional child); since 2023, all children receive the same flat monthly amount.
Kindergeld is paid to one parent — not split between two. You decide which parent applies. The payment is independent of your salary, your tax class, and whether you work full-time or part-time. It does not reduce any other benefits you receive (with some specific exceptions for certain income-replacement benefits).
Important: Kindergeld and the child tax allowance (Kinderfreibetrag) are alternatives, not additions. At lower and medium incomes, Kindergeld is financially more advantageous. The tax office automatically checks at year-end whether the child tax allowance would have been better — if so, they adjust retroactively. You do not need to calculate this yourself.
Who qualifies — EU citizens, non-EU workers, and residency rules
The key requirement is that you must have your primary residence or habitual abode in Germany and be subject to German income tax (unbeschränkt einkommensteuerpflichtig). This sounds complex but in practice means: if you live and work in Germany, you almost certainly qualify.
EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals: If you are an EU/EEA citizen or Swiss national living in Germany — whether employed, self-employed, or following a German partner — you are entitled to Kindergeld on the same basis as German citizens. Your Anmeldung establishes your habitual abode.
Non-EU citizens: You are eligible if you hold a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) that either:
- Allows you to work (a Blue Card, skilled worker visa, ICT permit, etc.)
- Does not limit you to a temporary stay in a specific sense
In practice, the following permit holders ARE entitled:
- EU Blue Card holders ✅
- Skilled worker (Fachkraft) visa holders ✅
- Permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis / Daueraufenthaltsrecht) ✅
- Settlement permit holders ✅
- Family reunion visa holders working or with their spouse working ✅
The following are generally NOT entitled until they switch to a qualifying permit:
- Holders of §16a/b study visa (student visa) — unless they have started employment
- Short-term/tourist visa holders
- Asylum seekers in the first months (different rules apply — consult a specialist)
The child's residency: the child must also have their primary residence or habitual abode in Germany. If your child lives in another country, you may be entitled to a different amount (or the benefit may be adjusted under EU coordination rules). Kindergeld for children abroad involves complex rules — contact the Familienkasse directly if your child does not live in Germany.
How to apply: Familienkasse and the KG1 form
Step 1: Find your responsible Familienkasse The Familienkasse is a division of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit. Your application goes to the Familienkasse responsible for your residential district, not your employer's district. Find yours at: arbeitsagentur.de → Familienkasse.
Step 2: Complete form KG1 The main application form is KG1 ("Antrag auf Kindergeld"). Download it from the Familienkasse website or pick it up in person. Since 2024, you can also apply online via Mein ELSTER (if you have an ELSTER account) or via the Familienkasse's online portal.
Step 3: Attach required documents (see next section)
Step 4: Submit You can submit by post, in person at the Familienkasse office, or online. Postal submission to the Familienkasse responsible for your area is the most common route.
Important: Kindergeld can be backdated by a maximum of 6 months from the date of your application. If your child was born 2 years ago and you are only applying now, you will not receive the last 2 years of payments — only the last 6 months. Apply as soon as your Anmeldung is complete.
Documents you need
For all applications:
- Completed KG1 form
- Birth certificate of each child (original or certified copy — if not in German, you need a certified translation)
- Proof of your address registration: Meldebestätigung (Anmeldung certificate)
- Your residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) — for non-EU applicants
- Your IBAN (German bank account details for payment)
- Your tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer) for both the applying parent and each child
Additional documents depending on situation:
| Situation | Additional document |
|---|---|
| Child lives with only one parent | Custody decision or written agreement |
| Child aged 18–25 in education | Proof of enrolment or apprenticeship contract |
| Child in vocational training | Training contract (Ausbildungsvertrag) |
| Non-EU applicant | Copy of work permit/residence permit |
| Child born abroad | Foreign birth certificate + certified translation |
| Child previously lived abroad | School records or proof of move-in date |
Children's tax IDs: every child who was born in Germany or has registered their address in Germany has a tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer) allocated automatically by the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern. If your child was born in Germany, their tax ID arrives by post within a few weeks. If it has not arrived, you can request it from the Finanzamt.