Kindergeld — Child Benefit in Germany

Introduction / Who is eligible

Kindergeld is a German child benefit paid monthly to parents (or legal guardians). It is available to anyone working in Germany (or having Germany as their center of life), regardless of nationality.

Amount of Kindergeld in 2026

From January 2026: 255 € per month for each child — with no difference between the first, second, and subsequent children (change from 2023). This amounts to 3,060 € per year per child.

Who receives Kindergeld

• Employees paying contributions in Germany
• Self-employed individuals with a center of life in Germany
• Unemployed individuals receiving Arbeitslosengeld I or II
• Students living in Germany
• Individuals on maternity / parental leave

For which children

• Own (biological)
• Adopted
• Stepchildren (if living in your household)
• Grandchildren (if living in the applicant's household)
• Court-appointed guardianship

Up to what age

• Up to 18 years — automatically
• Up to 25 years — if the child is still studying, in mandatory volunteer service (FSJ/FÖJ), or on a break of max 4 months between education
• No age limit — if the child has a disability preventing them from being self-sufficient (certificate issued before the age of 25)

Step by step

1. Download the form KG1 from the Familienkasse website: arbeitsagentur.de/familie-und-kinder
2. Fill out — applicant's details, children's details, NIN, bank account
3. Attach documents:
   • Child's birth certificate (original or certified copy)
   • Polish birth certificate with apostille + sworn translation
   • Child's Steueridentifikationsnummer (since 2016 — required!)
   • Your Steuer-ID
   • Anmeldebestätigung for you and the children
4. Submit the application at your local Familienkasse in person or by mail
5. You will receive a decision within 4-12 weeks
6. First payment to your account along with adjustments from the date of birth / arrival

Child's Steueridentifikationsnummer

Every child (including newborns) MUST have their own Steuer-ID. It is automatically assigned by the tax office after the child's Anmeldung. Sent by mail within 2-4 weeks.

Child living in Poland

YES — you can receive Kindergeld for a child living in Poland if:

• You are a taxpayer in Germany (unbeschränkt steuerpflichtig)
• You pay alimony / support the child
• You apply through Familienkasse

NOTE: If the other parent receives 800+ zł Polish "500+" or another benefit, the amount of Kindergeld will be reduced by the equivalent of the Polish benefit (EU coordination of family benefits, Regulation 883/2004).

Kindergeld and tax settlement

In the annual Lohnsteuererklärung, the Finanzamt checks what is more beneficial for you:

• Kindergeld (255 €/month = 3,060 €/year) paid during the year, OR
• Kinderfreibetrag (tax-free allowance, 6,388 €/child/year for couples)

The system automatically selects the more advantageous option (Günstigerprüfung principle). You do not need to apply.

Suspension of Kindergeld

Payments may be suspended if:

• The child completes education before 25
• The child starts full-time work (>20 hours/week; there are exceptions for studies)
• The child's income exceeds the threshold (~5,000 €/year)
• The applicant ceases to be a tax resident in Germany

Common mistakes

• Waiting to apply until "after Anmeldung" — applications can be submitted concurrently
• Missing child's Steuer-ID — automatic denial
• Missing apostille on the Polish birth certificate
• Not reporting changes (moving, birth of another child, change of bank)
• Receiving Polish 500+ concurrently without declaring it to Familienkasse — penalties upon detection
• Applying 4+ years after actual entitlement — expiration (4 years back)

What next

• Check payments monthly in your account
• After the child turns 18 — submit an application for extension with education documents
• Remember to report changes in employment / income
• Contact Familienkasse with questions: 0800 4 5555-30