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How to apply for Kindergeld in Germany
Since January 2026 Kindergeld is €259 per child per month. Here is how to apply correctly.
Updated: September 2026
Who gets Kindergeld?
Parents (also adoptive, foster or step-parents) living in Germany – for children up to 18, in education up to 25. The applicant and the child need a German tax ID.
If both parents live together, only one receives Kindergeld; the other signs their consent on the form.
Deadline: 6 months retroactively
Kindergeld is paid retroactively only for the last six months before the month in which the application reaches the Familienkasse. Apply soon after the birth – as soon as the child's tax ID has arrived.
Which forms?
- Antrag auf Kindergeld (KG 1)
- Anlage Kind – one per child
- Anlage EU – for citizens of another EU/EEA state
- Anlage Ausland – if you, your partner or the child have links abroad (work, benefits, residence)
Which documents?
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: copy of the residence permit
- Adoption: adoption order
- Adult children: proof of school, training or studies
- Birth certificate: for births in Germany only if the Familienkasse asks
Step by step
- Enter your details, your partner's and the children's.
- Print, sign (your partner too) and send it to the Familienkasse or upload it there.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to reapply every year?
No. Increases are paid automatically; you must report changes (moving, new bank account).
Which Familienkasse is responsible?
The Familienkasse of the Federal Employment Agency for your place of residence (public-sector employees may have their own).
Do I need the birth certificate?
For births in Germany only if the Familienkasse asks for it.
More guides
General information without guarantee; not legal or tax advice. The information of your Elterngeldstelle or Familienkasse is decisive.