Kindergeld is one of the most important benefits for families in Germany. Many applicants do not know that they are entitled to it, or they are put off by the application. But it is not complicated – and waiting costs money, because back payments are only made for a limited time.
As of October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice. The Family Benefits Office decides on your case.
In short: In 2026, Kindergeld is €259 per child per month (source: Federal Employment Agency). EU citizens who live or work in Germany are entitled, and so are Ukrainians with a residence permit under § 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) under certain conditions. You apply to the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse); back payments are made for six months at most.
Kindergeld 2026: the amount
Since 1 January 2026, Kindergeld has been €259 per month per child – four euros more than in 2025. The amount is the same for all children and does not depend on income. If you already receive Kindergeld, you do not need to do anything: the increase is paid automatically.
It is paid:
- until the 18th birthday without any further conditions,
- until the 25th birthday if, for example, the child is doing vocational training or studying.
Who is entitled?
Conditions for the parent:
- residence in Germany (address registration, Anmeldung) or unlimited tax liability in Germany, for example through working here,
- the parent’s tax ID (Steuer-ID) – it comes by post after your address registration,
- for EU citizens: the right of free movement. In the first three months after moving here, you are only entitled if you already have income in Germany, for example from a job.
Conditions for the child:
- The child lives in Germany, another EU country or an EEA country.
- The child must be identified – for children in Germany, by their tax ID. If a child abroad does not have a German tax ID, the Family Benefits Office asks for other proof, such as a birth certificate and a certificate of residence.
More about address registration and the tax ID in the article Moving and registration.
Your child lives in another EU country, for example Romania
For EU citizens, the EU coordination rules apply (Regulation (EC) No 883/2004). The basic principle: there is no double Kindergeld, but the family does not go without either.
| Situation | Responsible first |
|---|---|
| You work in Germany, the other parent lives with the child in your home country and does not work | usually Germany – full Kindergeld |
| You work in Germany, the other parent works in the child’s country of residence | the country of residence; Germany pays the difference if there is one (Differenzkindergeld) |
| The whole family lives in Germany | Germany |
If the benefit in the other country is lower, Germany pays the difference. If it is higher, there is no German Kindergeld. The Family Benefits Office coordinates with the foreign authority, which can take a few months. You must report the start or end of any job straight away – including the other parent’s.
In such cases, the application must include the foreign annex (Anlage Ausland).
Your child lives in the Republic of Moldova: an important difference
Be careful here. The Republic of Moldova is neither in the EU nor in the EEA. Moldova is not on the list of countries that have Kindergeld agreements with Germany (Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Morocco, Montenegro, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey).
Under § 63 of the Income Tax Act, children who live neither in Germany nor in an EU or EEA country are generally not taken into account. This means:
- Even if you have a Romanian or Bulgarian passport and work in Germany, there is usually no Kindergeld for a child who lives permanently in Moldova.
- What counts is where the child lives, not the child’s citizenship.
- If the child moves to you in Germany, the right begins from the month of the move.
This is the general rule; in special cases it is worth asking the Family Benefits Office. How to bring your family over is explained in the article Family reunification with EU citizens. Information for applicants from Moldova can be found here.
Ukrainians with a residence permit under § 24
Refugees from Ukraine can also get Kindergeld. According to the Family Benefits Office:
- The parent has a residence permit under § 24 AufenthG that allows them to work.
- The parent lives in Germany.
- The child also has a residence permit under § 24 and lives in Germany, an EU or EEA country or Switzerland.
The amount is the same: €259 per month. More for applicants from Ukraine on our page Applicants from Ukraine.
How to apply to the Family Benefits Office
- Get your documents ready: tax ID of the parent and the child (if available), birth certificate, IBAN, certificate of address registration (Meldebescheinigung).
- Apply online on the website of the Federal Employment Agency (arbeitsagentur.de, section Family and children). Alternatively on paper with form KG 1.
- If another country is involved, add the foreign annex (Anlage Ausland) and proof of employment and family benefits in the other country.
- Wait for the decision: if the Family Benefits Office asks for more documents, send them in on time.
Kindergeld is only ever paid to one parent, usually the one the child lives with.
Back payments for six months at most
Under § 70 of the Income Tax Act (EStG), Kindergeld is only paid back for the last six months before the start of the month in which the application was received. If you move here in January and only apply in December, you lose the first months. So apply as soon as you have your tax ID.
Child supplement for families with a low income
In addition to Kindergeld, there is the child supplement (Kinderzuschlag, KiZ). It is for parents whose income is enough for themselves but not for the whole family. In 2026 it is up to €297 per child per month; the exact amount depends on income and housing costs. You also apply for it at the Family Benefits Office, and there is an online check at arbeitsagentur.de.
Common mistakes
- Waiting too long: every month beyond the six months is lost money.
- Not reporting changes: the child moving, the other parent’s new job, the end of training – all of this must be reported to the Family Benefits Office.
- Confusing passport and residence: for Kindergeld, what counts is where the child lives.
- Receiving it twice: if two countries pay the full amount, the overpayment will be reclaimed.
Work in Germany for families
We offer work with an employment contract and full social insurance: from €15.33 per hour gross, and as a forklift driver (m/f/d) from €16.08 per hour gross. We help with moving and address registration – you also need the address registration for Kindergeld. Accommodation can be provided if needed. You do not pay a placement fee.
Take a look at our jobs and use the application form.
