Germany · Kindergeld

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Claim child benefit (Kindergeld) in Germany

Families living in Germany can claim Kindergeld — a monthly payment per child from the Familienkasse, paid until at least 18 (longer if the child is studying). You apply online, but you'll need each child's tax ID, which is posted automatically after the birth or your registration.

A fixed monthly payment per child — check the current rate on the Familienkasse site. Can be backdated up to 6 months, so apply even if delayed.

Good to know — wherever you live

  • Apply online via the Familienkasse (Arbeitsagentur) portal — no office visit needed.
  • You need the child's own tax ID and yours; if the child's hasn't arrived by post, request it before applying to avoid rejection.
  • Kindergeld can be backdated by up to six months, so a late application still pays — don't skip it because you missed the birth window.
  • If you also take parental leave, look at Elterngeld (parental allowance) alongside Kindergeld — they're separate benefits you can claim together.

Now pick your city

The office, booking portal and local quirks differ from city to city — your city's guide has the exact steps, documents and booking link.

BerlinMunichHamburgFrankfurtCologneDüsseldorfStuttgartLeipzigDortmundEssenBremenDresdenHannoverNurembergBonnMannheimKarlsruheMünsterAachenMainzAugsburgWiesbadenBielefeldBochumWuppertalFreiburgHeidelbergDarmstadtRegensburgWürzburgKielLübeckPotsdamSaarbrückenRostockErfurtJenaHalle (Saale)MagdeburgChemnitzBraunschweigOsnabrückKasselKoblenz

TiG Desk — free iPhone app

The letters that come with Claim child benefit (Kindergeld), read for you

Photograph an official letter and TiG Desk tells you who sent it, what you have to do and by when — then keeps the document on your phone and reminds you before the deadline. Free, and it works without an account.

Download on the App Store →SIM, bank, electricity →

Doing this one online instead? TiG Pilot explains each field of the authority's own form while you fill it.