Who can claim Kindergeld in Germany?

At a glance

Paid to

One parent — the one the child lives with

Core condition

Residence or habitual abode in Germany

Non-EU nationals

Depends on the residence title held

Applied for at

The Familienkasse of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit

Needed

Tax IDs of parent and child, birth certificate, proof of status

Current amount

Set nationally and adjusted periodically — check the Familienportal

How the residence-title condition works

For EU, EEA and Swiss citizens the question is simply whether they live in Germany and have a right of residence here. There is no separate permit check.

For other nationalities the Familienkasse looks at which title you hold. Titles that allow employment or long-term residence generally qualify; titles issued for a temporary purpose, or ones that do not permit work, may not. Because this turns on the exact title and its legal basis, the Familienkasse decides it rather than your employer or your immigration office.

How long the benefit runs

• Normally until the child turns 18.
• Longer while the child is in education or vocational training, within the statutory age limits.
• Longer without an age limit where a disability prevents self-support and it began before the statutory cut-off.
• It ends when the conditions end, so report changes — a move abroad, a child finishing training — promptly.

One claim per child

Child benefit is paid once per child, not once per parent. Separated parents decide who receives it, and the Familienkasse needs that to be clear in the application.

If a parent works in another EU country, coordination rules decide which country pays and whether Germany tops the amount up. Say so in the application instead of filing twice.

Documents you need

• Completed Kindergeld application for the Familienkasse
• Child's birth certificate, translated where required
• Tax ID of the applying parent and of the child
• Proof of residence status for non-EU nationals
• Bank details for the payment

Common mistakes

• Applying before the child has a tax ID, which the Familienkasse needs.
• Both parents filing separately for the same child.
• Assuming any residence title qualifies without checking.
• Not reporting the end of a training course, which leads to a repayment demand.

What happens next

• The Familienkasse confirms the claim in writing and states the monthly amount.
• Payments arrive monthly to the account you gave.
• You report changes — address, custody, the child's education status, a move abroad.

Related questions

How much is Kindergeld?

It is a fixed monthly amount per child, set nationally and adjusted from time to time. We deliberately do not repeat a figure here that could go out of date — the current amount is published on the Familienportal and by the Familienkasse.

Can I claim if my child still lives abroad?

In some EU cases yes, through the coordination rules between member states. Outside the EU it is generally not possible. State the child's place of residence in the application and let the Familienkasse assess it.

Does Kindergeld affect my taxes?

Child benefit and the tax allowance for children are linked: the tax office compares which is more favourable when your tax return is assessed. You do not have to choose in advance.

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