Kindergeld in 2026
Kindergeld is €259 per child per month from January 2026 (up from €255), the same for every child. It is paid until 18, and up to 25 while the child is in training or university. One parent claims it from the Familienkasse; you need both your and the child's tax ID. Payments can be backdated for up to six months, so apply soon after birth or arrival.
Higher earners may get more from the child tax allowance (Kinderfreibetrag) instead. The tax office checks this automatically in your return (Günstigerprüfung), so you still claim Kindergeld either way.
Elterngeld rules that matter
| Rule | 2026 value |
|---|---|
| Replacement rate | 67% of net income from €1,000 to €1,200; rises towards 100% below €1,000; falls to 65% from €1,240 |
| Minimum / maximum (Basis) | €300 / €1,800 per month (net income above €2,770 isn't counted) |
| ElterngeldPlus | Half the monthly amount (€150–900), paid for twice as long |
| Months | 12 Basis months for one parent, 14 if both take at least 2. Single parents can take 14 |
| Both parents at once | Basis months in parallel only for 1 month, within the first 12 months (multiples and premature births excepted) |
| Income limit | No Elterngeld if the couple's (or single parent's) taxable income was over €175,000, for births from April 2025 |
| Sibling bonus | +10% (at least €75/month) with another child under 3, or two under 6 |
| Multiples | +€300/month for each additional baby |
Can Indians on a visa claim?
- Blue Card, skilled-worker or settlement permit: generally yes, both Kindergeld and Elterngeld.
- Student visa: generally no. Permits for study don't give entitlement, even if you work part-time.
- Chancenkarte or job-search visa: generally no until you switch to a work permit.
- Spouse on a family-reunion permit: usually eligible if the family-reunion permit allows work.
Next steps
- Detailed single-benefit tools: Kindergeld calculator · Elterngeld calculator
- How to apply: claiming Kindergeld · applying for Elterngeld
- Moving with children? Budget it in the 2026 move-cost estimator.
Last updated: 11 October 2026. Estimates only. Not official advice. Always verify with official sources. Elterngeld is based on a special “Elterngeld net” calculated from your gross pay, so your official amount may differ slightly. Part-time work during Elterngeld, self-employment and Mutterschaftsgeld offsets aren't modelled. Confirm with your Elterngeldstelle and the Familienkasse.