When I first started this blog, I was far from thinking that I’d be staying long enough to have kids and write about Kindergeld in Germany. Here we are though; 10 years later and 2 kids in the bag, I will yet decipher another bureaucracy hurdle for you. 🙂

Who can receive Kindergeld in Germany?
Germany’s children allowance finds it roots in the belief that every child should have access to basic care, food, clothing and living space. It is defined in the corpus of laws called Bundeskindergeldgesetz (BKGG). Germany is contributing to parents’ financial burden, provided they fit these criteria:
- Your child is under 18 years-old (or between 18 and 25 years-old too, under certain additional conditions).
- Your child is cared for by your and lives most of the time in your household.
- You are a German resident (or you are a German citizen and have residence in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Lichtenstein).
Child benefits is not subject to income limitations. It is provided to any and all parents that qualify the criteria above.
How much Kindergeld can i get?
The amount is set by law Germany-wide. Since January 2023:
- First & second child: 250 €
- Third child: 250 €
- From the fourth child on: 250 € per child
How does payment work?
Child benefits in Germany will be paid to only one person, usually one of the parents or legal care takers. In the case of multiple siblings, it’s all paid in one lump sum.
Payment are made a specific intervals each month. You can find out exactly when you will be paid by referring to your Kindergeldnummer, which you can find on the documents you receive. This number looks like this: xxxFKxxxxx9. Take the last digit in this series of number and refer to this page to see exact dates.
Good to know for the first payment: you get a full month’s worth of Kindergeld, even if your kind was born on the last day of that month.
What steps do i need to take to apply for Kindergeld?
Take the following steps to apply for child benefits in Germany
- Fill in those forms
You will need to find and fill in Antrag auf Kindergeld KG1 and Anlage Kind zum Hauptantrag Kindergeld KG1-AnK. You can find both forms in English or other languages available here (click on “in anderen Sprachen“).
Each PDF contains guidance on how to fill in those documents. Don’t forget that both parents/legal guardians need to sign them. Alternatively, you can apply directly online via this page, but in German only. - Include additional documents if necessary
You will need to submit additional documentation:
If your kid was born in Germany less than 6 months prior to application date, a copy of a birth certificate will be enough. In all other cases, you will need to provide a Haushaltsbescheinigung KG 3a as well (available here), which needs to be stamped by your local Bürgeramt first.
If you are EU/EEA citizen, you will need to fill in the Anlage EU KG1-AnEU and have your employer fill in a certificate (if applicable).’
If at least one of the parents is working outside of Germany, you will need to fill in the Anlage Ausland KG51.
If you are in Germany on a residence permit, you will need to include a copy of that too. - Find the right Familienkasse for your city and send them the forms
If you went with paper version, you need to send them your application by post. You can find out which Familienkasse in yours by entering your postal code on this page.
- Your Familienkasse will send you a written confirmation.
You will receive by post after a few weeks to let you know whether you are eligible or not. If the outcome is not satisfactory, there is always the possibility to appeal the decision
- Receive the money every month.
Keep an eye on your bank account to make sure you receive the money in due time.
Which steps do I need to take to apply for Kindergeld for other kids
As you already receive child benefits in Germany, the Familienkasse already “knows” you and you won’t need to start that process from scratch. Instead, you only need to let them know about your new child via this form (“Formular zum Mitteilen von Veränderungen an die Familienkasse KG 45″). In this case just tick the checkbox next to “Die Anzahl der in meinem Haushalt lebenden Kinder hat sich geändert.“, and fill in the rest of the relevant fields.

FAQ
Can I apply for child benefits in Germany even though I’m not directly related to children in my care?
Yes, even if you have a stepchild, a grandchild or a foster child in your care, you can still apply for Kindergeld in Germany.
I’m a bit late applying for Kindergeld. Is it bad and can I get the lump sums retroactively?
It’s perfectly ok but there is a little caveat: retroactive payments are only possible up to 6 months before application date. This means you should apply at the latest 6 months after your child is born to avoid any financial loss on that front.
I am not an EU citizen and my kids also not, am I still eligible?
In most cases yes:
- Citizens from the following countries are eligible if they have employment in Germany or currently use unemployment benefits/Krankengeld.: Algerien, Bosnien-Herzegowina, Kosovo, Marokko, Montenegro, Serbien, Tunesien oder Türkei.
- Citizens from any other country are eligible if they hold a residence permit that lets them work in Germany.
- Refugees and asylum applicants are also eligible to Kindergeld in Germany.
Is Kindergeld subject to income tax?
No but you must declare it when filing your yearly tax declaration (in Anlage Kind). You can read an interesting piece on how Kindergeld is in spirit actually undue taxes returned to families by the government on Berlinerisch.com by Andrew Bulkeley.
I hope this quick guide shed some lights on the question you had about Kindergeld in Germany. Feel free to ask questions in the comments if you are still unsure about something.
Dear Bastien,
This is an excellent article regarding the Kindergeld application. I submitted the Kindergeld application for my son in April 2023, who was born in November 2022. However, I have only received Kindergeld payments from May 2023 onwards, and not for the period between November 2022 and April 2023. My husband works in Switzerland and holds a residence permit there, while I work in Germany and have a permanent residence in Germany. The reason stated in the letter is as follows:
“Begründung: Ihr Kind lebt in Ihrem Haushalt und kann daher kindergeldrechtlich berücksichtigt werden. Sie üben in Deutschland eine Erwerbstätigkeit im Sinne des Beschlusses F1 vom 12.06.2009 der Verwaltungskommission der Europäischen Union aus. Der Kindesvater ist in der Schweiz erwerbstätig. Aufgrund der Staatsangehörigkeit besteht jedoch kein Anspruch auf Kindergeld in der Schweiz.”
I have contacted the responsible Familienkasse, and they mentioned that either they made a mistake or there is a legal regulation stating that one parent’s work in Switzerland does not entitle them to retroactive Kindergeld payments for up to six months. I would appreciate it if you could provide me with more information about the latter legal regulation. Thank you in advance for your assistance, and I look forward to your reply.
Best regards
Ruby
Hey Ruby. Sorry to hear about your troubles. I could not find a good enough source to answer your specific question sadly. However, I have noticed that there are dedicated Familienkasse when parents are residents in other countries. They are listed here. Maybe worth to try to reach out to them directly to ask?
Wow thank you! Im 3 weeks into now living in Munich. So much paper work but it all works out well once done.
Im seeing children in August when they join me here. Im here on a working visa with a residence permit. Still have so much to do but looking forward to it all.
This article is perfect. Well written with amazing insight and detail. Thank you so much.
Hey Amanda. Thanks a lot. Super glad it helped you. 🙂
Hello,
Can we apply few weeks before baby born? I want to complete as much as applications possible before birth
Hey Ozcan. This source tells me it is indeed possible to start the application process before hand. But you will still need to submit some stuff afterwards too.
Hello Bastien,
I started job in Germany on Feb 2022 under Blue card category . Actual Blue card received on Feb 2023 (Appointment date on Jan 2023 , after 11 months.)
I sent the kinder geld application on Sep 2022 accepted. Now, after sharing the Blue card in Feb 2023, they are starting the kinder geld from Dec 2022 (letter reciveved with below comments) . For 11 months from Feb 2022 till Nov 2022 I am not receiving. What Can I do about it .
Comment – `Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung: Dieser Bescheid kann mit dem Einspruch angefochten werden. Ein Einspruch ist jedoch ausge- schlossen, soweit dieser Bescheid einen Verwaltungsakt ändert oder ersetzt, gegen den ein zuläs- siger Einspruch oder (nach einem zulässigen Einspruch) eine zulässige Klage, Revision oder Nichtzulassungsbeschwerde anhängig ist. In diesem Fall wird der neue Verwaltungsakt Gegen- stand des Rechtsbehelfsverfahrens. Der Einspruch ist bei der Familienkasse Hessen mit Sitz in Kassel schriftlich einzureichen, dieser elektronisch zu übermitteln oder dort zur Niederschrift zu erklären. Die Frist für die Einlegung eines Einspruchs beträgt einen Monat. Sie beginnt mit Ablauf des Tages, an dem Ihnen der-Bescheid bekannt-gegeben worden ist. Bei Zusendung durch einfa- chen Brief oder Zustellung mittels Einschreiben durch Übergabe gilt die Bekanntgabe mit dem drit- ten Tag nach Aufgabe zur Post bzw. bei Übermittlung im Ausland einen Monat nach Aufgabe zur Post als bewirkt, es sei denn, dass der Bescheid zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt zugegangen ist. Bei Zustellung mit Zustellungsurkunde oder durch Einschreiben mit Rückschein oder gegen Emp- fangsbekenntnis ist Tag der Bekanntgabe der Tag der Zustellung. Bitte beachten Sie die beigefügten Erläuterungen und Hinweise zum Bescheid. Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Hey Vivek. Sorry to hear about this. What were the reasons quoted for this change? The text you pasted is just a notice, letting you know that you have a right to protest that decision & how/when you can do it.
Hello Bastien,
Thank you for your article.
My child was born in Germany. I have applied for the child benefit successfully. However, my visa has expired one month ago. And I am still waiting for the new appointment for a visa extension. Because the child benefit has been not paid when my visa expired. Should I start a new application for the child benefit when I extend my visa successfully? How do I apply for the child benefit retroactively?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Ma. Excellent question. I don’t exactly know about this special case. I’d approach your Familienkasse directly about that, or call one of the hotlines listed in the post.
Hello Bastien,
I have moved to Berlin in April 2022 and my daughter joined me in July 2022. I have 2 questions :
1. Where to find the Child Benefit number or Kindergeld number that is present on top of the application form ?
2. Since I will be applying in November 2022, how will I receive the Kindergeld amount retrospectively ? How do I provide the information that I am applying retroactively and need the amount from July 2022 (the month when my daughter joined me in Berlin) ?
Thank you so much for your help.
Hey Jugal. 1. If it’s the first time applying, you don’t have one yet. 2. Provided your daughter did the Anmeldung in July 2022, the Familienkasse should come to this conclusion on their own. If this doesn’t happen, you will see it on the “Bescheid” you get back from them, once they have processed your case. In this case, you can let me know they should start the calculation from July.
Hello Bastien,
I am a little bit confused. I would like to apply for my daugther born here in Germany few weeks ago, I am EU citizen and reading the documents it seems that there is a EU Antrag to fill in if you are not german. But you don’t mention that. Why?
Hey Davide. Congratulations on your baby! It’s implied in “Step2: include additional documents if necessary” like the Anlage AUS but I will clarify now. Thanks for pointing that out.
Hello. I would like to ask how to find out if i have kindergeld? I was born in the Philippines but i am also a German citizen. My father already passed away. Is there any way to find out if i am entitled to it?
Hey Madz. Citizenship doesn’t play a role in this. The eligibility criteria are the same as listed in the post above.
Hello Bastien,
Thanks very much for this post.
My question is that we applied when we lived in Koln and up till now, they have only been sending us more forms to fill. Even my employer has to fill.
My question now is that, if the Kindergeld number transferable to another city because we have now moved to Berlin.
Do we need to start a new application since the one in Koln is not even successful yet or we can quote the same application number and send to the office in Berlin near where we live.
Thank you
Hey David. That’s an excellent question. I could only find information about what to do when you already receive Kindergeld (here). In your case, it might be an option to finish the process and then let the Familienkasse know that you have changed adresses.
Hi,
We recently moved to Berlin,Germany from India. My daughter is 1.3 years old and was born in India. To avail the benefits do we need to have the residence permit as well in place? Or just Tax id number of my baby + Anmeldung would do?
Hey Piyush. As stated in those guidelines, you’d need to include your residence permit as well yes.
I have been working in germany for a year now . And my children 2 and 4 years old have just joined me last month . before that they were with their mother in Egypt . Are we eligable for 6 monthes of retroactive payments ?
Hey Bahaa. I looked into this official info leaflet and could not find a clear answer to this. It only talks about how parents need to be German residents, it doesn’t say anything about the kids. It only states that you are not eligible to benefits in germany in you already receive benefits for those kids in Egypt, regardless of the amount. You might need to contact them directly to ask.
Hi, i recently moved to Hamburg and with 2 children. Not sure how to apply for Kindergeld as the online application is only for kids born here in Germany but nothing for migrant. If i manually submit the application form than where to post it or email it. There is no info on that.
Hey Richa. Thanks for your comment. You can find your Familienkasse by entering your postal code here.
Hello,
I am applying for Kindergeld for my first child and I don’t see anywhere in the Kindergeld Familienkasse website that they require a copy of the Geburtsurkunde. I am a bit confused, because at the hospital when I was registering the child, they told me I’ll receive a Geburtsurkunde for the Kindergeld.
The website says I only need Antrag auf Kindergeld – KG1 and Anlage Kind (zu KG1). Do I need the Geburtsurkunde at a later stage? I haven’t received it yet.
Thank you
Hey John. Thanks for your comment. It is stated here on page 4, that a Geburtsurkunde is to be submitted to your Familienkasse only if they request it. They usually do. You can also provide a copy of the Urkunde you already have if that is the case.
Hello Bastien, thanks for the informative article, really helps.
I had applied to kindergeld in November 2020(son was born in 2020). I was in parental leave from Feb – June 2021(also not in Germany during that time). They had sent me a letter asking for my sign and cancelling the old application. As I retuned, I sent all the documents again in June.
Finally, they get back to me in August by saying we can only pay from April 21, I am a little surprised as to what would be the problem for such a delayed answer and also loosing the first 6 months of kindergeld. Any help or information would be helpful, thanks in advance!
Hey Abhi. I can’t really tell you as I don’t have all the details. That doesn’t seem right indeed. Not sure why you had to cancel your first application?
Hello, I am a research student on a scholarship worth 950 Euros..Am I eligible to apply for my children as they are with me here during my stay
Hey Sohni. Does this not answer your question? If you are still in doubt, you can ask the international office your university.
Hi Sohni,
I have the same situation with you. I am also PhD student with scholarship, and I am also searching for whether I can apply for kindergeld or not?
Did you figure out that you can apply for this or not?
Hey Bastien, Is kinder geld number the same as the child’s stuernummer?
Hey Michael. No. Those are 2 different things. The Kindergeld Nummer can be found in any of your correspondance with the Familien Kassen. It has this format: 111FK333334.
You can also find it in your bank statements.
Hello Bastien, my kids live in another EU country am I still eligible to kindergeld?
Thank you in advance….
Hey Yanni. This source tells me that it possible, as per EU court ruling if I understand correctly.
Please how do I apply for the kindergeld
Hey Deborah, all the info is included in the post.