Kindergeld in Germany: Who Is Eligible for Child Benefits and How to Apply

Kindergeld is the German child benefit paid by the Familienkasse at the Bundesagentur für Arbeit. In 2026, the basic amount is 259 euros per month for each child, provided the family meets the requirements regarding residence, child care, and the applicant’s status.

Who is generally eligible for Kindergeld

You can apply if all of the following basic requirements are met:

• the child is under 18 years of age or meets the criteria for adult children;
• The applicant regularly cares for the child, and the child lives in the applicant’s household;
• The applicant’s place of residence is in Germany, another EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland;
• The applicant has a status that entitles them to Kindergeld.

The child’s citizenship alone is not usually a decisive factor. More important are where the family lives, who actually provides for the child, and what legal status the parent or other applicant has.

Eligibility Requirements for Foreign Nationals

For German citizens and citizens of EU countries, the EEA, and Switzerland, the rules are generally simpler, but eligibility is still verified by the Familienkasse on a case-by-case basis.

For citizens of other countries, Kindergeld is not automatically granted. In practice, factors such as a residence permit, the right to work, recognized refugee or asylum seeker status, as well as certain international agreements, are taken into account. The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) specifically notes that citizens of Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Morocco, Montenegro, Serbia, Tunisia, and Turkey may be eligible for the benefit if they are employed in Germany with social insurance coverage or are receiving unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld) or sick pay (Krankengeld).

If a family has a complex immigration situation, it is best to consult not a general article but the official Familienkasse section on Kindergeld for people in Germany and abroad. Simply having a child and residing in Germany may not be sufficient.

Up to what age is the benefit paid?

As a general rule, Kindergeld is paid until the child turns 18. After age 18, payments may continue if the child meets one of the following special criteria:

• is attending school, an apprenticeship (Ausbildung), college, or vocational training for the first time;
• is in a transition period between two stages of education, provided the break does not exceed 4 months;
• is performing recognized voluntary service, such as the Bundesfreiwilligendienst, FSJ, or FÖJ;
• is under 21 years of age and registered as a job seeker;
• has not found an apprenticeship position but can confirm that they are actively looking for an Ausbildungsplatz or a training position.

In most cases, after the age of 18, the upper age limit is 25. Separate rules may apply to children with disabilities, which must be verified on a case-by-case basis.

How much will be paid in 2026?

In 2026, Kindergeld amounts to 259 euros per month for each child. Starting in 2023, the order of birth no longer affects the amount: the first, second, and subsequent children receive the same payment amount.

Only one person receives Kindergeld, most often one of the parents. If the parents live apart, the payment is usually received by the parent in whose household the child lives. For adult children who are studying and living separately, special arrangements may apply, but eligibility is still assessed based on documentation and actual circumstances.

How to Apply

The application is submitted to the Familienkasse. The most convenient way is through the Bundesagentur für Arbeit’s online service: Kindergeld online beantragen.

The process usually goes like this:

1. Check who in the family should be the applicant.
2. Prepare the child’s information, tax identification numbers, bank account details, and birth or family relationship documents.
3. For children over 18, include proof of enrollment in school, vocational training (Ausbildung), volunteer service, job search, or another qualifying reason.
4. If there is an international element—for example, if the child or the other parent lives abroad—use the forms for cross-border cases and attach the necessary supporting documents.
5. Submit your application online using BundID, or print and sign the forms if you choose the paper option.

You can apply for Kindergeld after the birth of a child or after moving to Germany, provided the eligibility requirements are met at that time. Retroactive payments are limited: the Familienkasse sets a 6-month deadline, so it’s not in your best interest to delay filing your application.

What Changes Must Be Reported to the Familienkasse

Once the payment has been approved, the family is required to report any changes that could affect their entitlement to Kindergeld. The following are particularly important:

• relocation of a child, a parent, or the entire family;
• starting work abroad or being sent on a business trip abroad;
• divorce, separation of the parents, or a change in the child’s household;
• completion, change, or discontinuation of studies after the age of 18;
• receiving family benefits in another country;
• Change in bank account information.

If the Familienkasse later determines that an overpayment has occurred, they may request that the money be returned. Therefore, if you have any doubts, it is best to clarify the situation in advance by contacting the Familienkasse directly.

In Brief

Kindergeld in Germany is not a one-time benefit, but a regular family allowance. In 2026, it amounts to 259 euros per month per child. For children under 18, the requirements are generally simpler, but after reaching the age of majority, proof of enrollment in school, an Ausbildung, a job search, or another recognized reason is required. For foreign nationals, not only the fact of residence in Germany but also the applicant’s specific status is a decisive factor.