Child benefit
Your way to the application
The local family benefits office of the Federal Employment Agency is responsible for child benefit. You can apply for child benefit online on the website of the Federal Employment Agency - this is the quickest way.
The following links will take you to the home page of the online application that is right for you on the Federal Employment Agency website. You also have the opportunity to notify us of any changes.
The local family benefits office of the Federal Employment Agency is responsible for child benefit.
If you are employed in the public sector or receive pension payments, you should ask your department or pay office whether you need to apply for child benefit there or at the family benefits office of the Federal Employment Agency.
If you live abroad but work in Germany, the responsibility of the family benefits office is determined by special rules, which are described in the leaflet Child benefit for people in or from abroad.
If you have a question about child benefit, you can contact the free service hotline of the Federal Employment Agency: 0800 4 5555 30, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 to 18:00.
You can call 0800 4 5555 33 (also free of charge) around the clock to find out when your child benefit will be paid.
To apply for child benefit, you will need
- the tax identification number of the child or children,
- the tax identification number of the parent applying for child benefit and
-
any additional documents, for example
- Proof of the child's schooling or vocational training or
- Proof of disability
There are no costs.
Simply explained
The state uses child benefit to help parents pay for the additional expenses. In principle, parents receive child benefit from the birth of their child until their 18th birthday. Under certain conditions, child benefit is also available after this date.
Child benefit can be paid up to the age of 21 if
- your child is not in gainful employment and
- is registered as a job seeker.
Child benefit can be paid up to your child's 25th birthday if
- your child is in education (school, work, university).
- Your child is completing a recognized voluntary service.
- Your child is in a transitional period lasting a maximum of 4 months, for example between leaving school and vocational training or a recognized voluntary service.
- Your child cannot start or continue their training because they have not found a training place.
- Your child has already completed their first vocational training, but is still in training and working up to 20 hours a week, for example.
If your child has a disability and cannot support themselves financially, you are also entitled to child benefit after their 25th birthday. However, the disability must have occurred before their 25th birthday and be the reason why your child cannot support themselves financially on their own.
You can also find information on child benefit in this explanatory video.
What requirements must be met?
All parents receive child benefit. This also includes adoptive parents. Under certain conditions, stepparents, foster parents, siblings and grandparents can receive child benefit.
Child benefit can be paid to:
- German nationals who live in Germany with their children.
- Foreign nationals who live in Germany under certain conditions.
- German nationals who live abroad.
What do I get?
Child benefit is 255 euros per month per child. It is paid monthly for the first and all subsequent children. If you already receive or have applied for child benefit, you don't need to worry about anything. The amounts were automatically adjusted and have been paid at the new level since January 2025.
What else is important?
Frequently asked questions and answers
Already checked? Tips and lists for the next steps
There are a few things to think about and take care of before and after the birth. The following checklists will give you an overview of the most important formalities that you need to take care of before and after the birth.
Did you already know? More benefits for families
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