Kindergeld in Germany [2024 Child Benefits Guide]

Are you moving to Germany with your family? Do you live in Germany and recently have a newborn? Are you worried about the costs and expenses caused by the birth of your new child? No need to worry now. Germany’s system is very well known worldwide because of kindergeld (Child Benefit). Kinder geld is the kind of financial support for young families in Germany, especially those with low income. All parents are entitled to the benefits that may help them raise their child the best way.

Kindergeld (Child Benefit) Defined

Kindergeld or child benefit is the monthly payment that all parents may receive irrespective of their financial situation or income level. This is a kind of financial support to the young families and new parents, so they may recover the loss caused by the birth of their new addition to the family. The family benefit office gives a fixed amount of money to the parents that is called kindergeld (child benefit)

Age Limit to Receive Kindergeld in Germany

The minimum age limit is 18 years, so you can get kindergeld until your child reaches the minimum age limit of 18 years.

Exceptions to Receive Child Benefit beyond 18 Years

After 18 years, you can still enjoy child benefits in a few exceptional cases, as given below;

• Suppose your child is still studying or getting some training. In that case, you are entitled to receive kindergeld until your child reaches the age of 25 or until they complete their educational degree and first vocational qualification.
• If your child has some disability, you can receive kindergeld until 25 years, as they cannot support themselves.
• Suppose your child has no job and is registered with an employment agency. In this case, you can get child benefits until your child is 21.

General Requirements to Receive Child Benefit

There are certain requirements to claim your child’s benefit. These requirements include the following;

• Place of residence
• Married couples
• Separated couples
• Guardian

Place of Residence

If you are a German and EU citizen and your place of residence is also Germany, you are entitled to the kindergeld in Germany. If you are not a German or EU citizen living in Germany, you need to have a reasonable settlement or a temporary residence permit. You may not get any child benefits in your home country, but you can enjoy monthly payments to raise your child in Germany with a good life and a great future.

Married Couples

Not both parents can apply for the child benefit separately. Only one parent can claim the kinder geld from the family benefits office. Married couples should discuss and decide who will receive kindergeld for their child.

Separated Couples

If you and your spouse are separated due to some dispute or divorce, you need to get the child’s custody to receive a monthly payment for child benefits. No matter if a mother or a father has the child’s primary custody, the one who has the custody will benefit from the child’s nourishment.

Guardian

If you are taking care of a child, but you are not the parent, you are entitled to receive child benefits to meet their needs.

Amount of Child Benefit

Kindergeld is the fixed monthly payment transferred to the parent’s or guardian’s bank account. If you receive child benefits for two or more children, you will receive the total payment in a single transaction for all your children. Being a parent or guardian, you can receive child benefits in cash if you want to. No matter what the income level is, all applicants will receive the same amount of kindergeld. You can receive child benefits for all children you have. Here is the table in which the amount of child benefit is given;

Necessary Documents to Receive Child Benefit

Refer to the list below to know about the required documents that you must attach with your application form.

• Original birth certificate
• Translation of the birth certificate if it is not in German
• Proof of your residence permit
• Valid passport and ID
• Proof of residency registration

Other Allowances, Deductions, and Benefits

Germany is paying kindergeld to the parents to meet the costs and expenses of raising their children and giving a lot of other allowances and benefits.

Tax-Free Allowance

Parents are also entitled to a tax-free allowance for their children under certain conditions. A tax-free allowance as per 2023 is 6024 Euros per child if you are married. If you are a single parent or separated or divorced, you can get a tax-free allowance of 4260 Euros per child as per 2023. If you are entitled to the tax-free allowance for your child, then your income tax would be assessed. During your income tax assessment, the tax office will compare the amount you have already received for your child with the amount you can save. After comparison, the tax office will choose the most suitable option for you.

Federal Parental Allowance

Elterngeld is given to new parents who fulfill certain conditions. The federal parental allowance is given to the parents, so they can rest and spend quality time with their newborn child. This additional benefit covers the expenses caused by the birth of the newborn child.

Supplementary Allowance

A few parents can get a supplementary allowance for their children. Currently, the amount for supplementary allowance is 250 Euros per month. Only unmarried children under 25 years can get this allowance.

Conditions to Receive Supplementary Allowance

There are certain conditions you need to fulfill to get a supplementary allowance. These conditions are mentioned below;

• You are receiving kindergeld for your child.
• You are earning less than the maximum income limit. The maximum income limit for each parent depends on the cost of living of the parents.
• You are earning 900 Euros per month without any deductions. You must earn at least 600 Euros per month as a single or separated parent.

Calculation of Maximum Income Limit and Supplementary Allowance

The family benefits office calculates the maximum limit while processing the application. They will calculate the allowance amount by assessing your income and assets. You can also receive payments for school trips, transport, supplies, fees, and meals. If your child is getting any payment or income, the family benefit office will deduct the amount the child receives from the child supplementary allowance.

Tax Deductions

Parents can also save taxes in some other ways. They can deduct the expenses related to their children’s daycare and school fees. For daycare, they can deduct 4000 Euros per year. For school fees, they can deduct 5000 Euros per year.

Child Sickness Benefit

The Statutory Health Insurance Company gives the child’s sickness benefit to those parents who need to take long leaves from the work office to take care of their child due to illness or disease.

Maintenance Advance

The German term “Unterhaltsvorschuss” is used for single parents who are not getting any support from their partner or spouse. This is the special supplementary payment called maintenance advance. Maintenance advance is given to single parents to help them solely meet their child’s expenses. As a parent or guardian of a child, you can get maintenance advances according to your child’s age.

Amount of Maintenance Advance

Maintenance advance depends upon the age of your child. The below table shows the maintenance advance payments for different age groups.

Remember that children above 12 years and their parents must not receive unemployment benefits.

Required Documents to Apply for the Maintenance Advance

While applying for the maintenance advance, you must bring the following documents to the local youth welfare office.

• Valid ID
• Child’s birth certificate
• Registration certificate
• Residence permit
• Proof of being single (separation or divorce-proof)

If any documents are in another language, you must submit the translation document and your application.

Important Instructions

Below are a few important instructions that might help you being parents or guardians.

• If you or your children are leaving Germany, you must inform the office giving you child benefits. You must cancel your application by filling out and submitting the change form.
• If your employment ends, you should share with the agency paying you kindergeld or other benefits.
• There is no need to submit the application form again and again if you have a newborn. You just need to amend your previous application, or you can submit a change notice too.
• If you are moved to some other location or your marital status is changed, you must inform the Family Benefits Office.

Final Words

Kindergeld is a great way to support parents and families in Germany who can enjoy many benefits and raise their children in the best and easiest way. Make sure to apply for the child benefit within six months to enjoy the kindergeld or child benefit from the birth of your child. Currently, parents can get kindergeld (child benefit) of 250 Euros per month per child. If you are earning low income, then you can apply for other benefits like supplementary allowance.