Kindergeld is the most widespread family benefit in Germany — and one of the few with no means test. The costliest newcomer mistake is waiting to be fully settled: anything older than six months at application time is lost for good.
Kindergeld: Who Qualifies
259 € per child until 18 (until 25 if in education), regardless of income. Foreigners qualify with a residence permit that allows work.
✓ Verified: 18/07/2026
WHAT TO DO
AUTHORITY
Familienkasse (Bundesagentur für Arbeit)
Public bodyKindergeld and the child supplement run through the Familienkasse at the Agentur für Arbeit. You apply online.
› Details and tips
👨🏻💻
Max recommends:
Back payments cover at most 6 months — I learned it a week before the deadline and recovered half a year with one application. Do not postpone until settled in.
👩🏼💼
Lea recommends:
Low earners should check the child supplement on top of Kindergeld: the KiZ-Lotse tool says in 5 minutes whether up to 297 € per child applies.
Useful Tools
- Familienportal des Bundes family
Federal family portal: child benefit, parental leave and support around childbirth.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
My child is at university — until what age is it paid? ▾
Until 25 during first education or a transition period. A gap over 4 months between school and university interrupts payment — plan breaks.
Blue Card or a work permit — is Kindergeld available? ▾
Yes: almost all titles granting work rights also grant Kindergeld. Exceptions are student and short humanitarian visas without labour-market access. The Familienkasse checks your specific paragraph.
We earn well — do we still qualify? ▾
Yes, Kindergeld does not depend on income. For high earners the tax office automatically applies the child allowance instead if that is better.
Low income — is there anything extra? ▾
Kinderzuschlag, a top-up from the Familienkasse for working parents on modest incomes. The online KiZ-Lotse checks eligibility in minutes.