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Kindergeld Guide for Expats in Germany

Kindergeld (child benefit) is a monthly payment from the German government for every child living in your household. Unlike Elterngeld, it's not tied to your income or employment — almost every family in Germany is entitled to it, including expat families. But the application process has specific requirements for non-German citizens that trip many parents up.

What is Kindergeld?

Kindergeld is a universal child benefit paid monthly to parents or guardians of children living in Germany. It's administered by the Familienkasse, a department of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency).

  • Amount (2026): €259 per child per month
  • Duration: From birth until the child turns 18 — or until 25 if the child is in education or training
  • Tax-free: Kindergeld is not taxable income
  • Retroactive: You can claim up to 6 months retroactively, but not more — so apply early

Who is eligible?

EU/EEA citizens

If you're an EU or EEA citizen living in Germany with your child, you are automatically eligible for Kindergeld. No special permits or conditions beyond having your Hauptwohnsitz (primary residence) registered in Germany.

Non-EU citizens

If you're from outside the EU/EEA, your eligibility depends on your residence permit:

  • Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent settlement permit) — eligible
  • Blaue Karte EU (EU Blue Card) — eligible
  • Aufenthaltserlaubnis with work permission (§18a, §18b, §28 AufenthG) — eligible, provided you are employed or self-employed
  • Aufenthaltserlaubnis for family reunion (§29–§36 AufenthG) — eligible if you are allowed to work
  • Student visa or Duldung — generally not eligible unless you have been in Germany for 15 months and have work authorization

The key rule: if your residence permit allows you to work in Germany, you are very likely eligible for Kindergeld.

Required documents

  1. Kindergeld application form (KG1) — download from Arbeitsagentur.de
  2. Anlage Kind — a supplementary form for each child (one per child)
  3. Child's birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde) — original or certified copy
  4. Your Steuer-ID (Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer) — the 11-digit tax ID for the applying parent
  5. Child's Steuer-ID — sent automatically by the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern after birth registration (can take 2–4 weeks)
  6. Residence permit (for non-EU citizens) — copy of your Aufenthaltstitel
  7. Proof of German residence — Meldebescheinigung or Anmeldung confirmation

Tip: You can apply before receiving the Steuer-ID

The child's Steuer-ID can take several weeks to arrive by mail. You can submit your Kindergeld application without it — just note on the form that the Steuer-ID is pending. The Familienkasse will process your application once they have it.

How to apply — step by step

Step 1: Register your child's birth

Before you can apply for Kindergeld, your child needs to be registered at the Standesamt (civil registry office). This generates the birth certificate and triggers the automatic Steuer-ID assignment.

Step 2: Download the application forms

Get the KG1 form and Anlage Kind from the Familienkasse website. The forms are in German. PaperStork can help you understand each field.

Step 3: Fill in the forms

Key fields to watch out for:

  • Bankverbindung — your German bank account (IBAN). Kindergeld is paid by bank transfer only.
  • Steuer-ID — both your own and your child's. If the child's hasn't arrived yet, write "beantragt" (applied for).
  • Staatsangehörigkeit — your and your child's citizenship.

Step 4: Submit to the Familienkasse

Send the completed forms and all documents to your local Familienkasse. In most cities, you can submit by mail or online through the Familienkasse portal.

Don't wait: apply within 6 months of birth

Kindergeld is only paid retroactively for up to 6 months. If you apply 8 months after birth, you lose the first 2 months permanently. At €259/month, that's €518 gone.

Step 5: Wait for approval

Processing takes 4–6 weeks on average. You'll receive a Kindergeldbescheid (decision letter) confirming the monthly amount and payment date. Payments are made around the same date each month, depending on your Kindergeldnummer (assigned in the decision letter).

Kindergeld and other benefits

  • Kindergeld + Elterngeld: You receive both simultaneously. Kindergeld is not deducted from Elterngeld.
  • Kindergeld + Kinderzuschlag: If your income is low, you may qualify for Kinderzuschlag (up to €297/month extra per child) on top of Kindergeld.
  • Kindergeld + Unterhaltsvorschuss: Single parents can receive Unterhaltsvorschuss (maintenance advance) if the other parent doesn't pay child support.

Useful links

PaperStork handles this for you

PaperStork reminds you to apply for Kindergeld at the right time, tells you which documents to collect, and walks you through the application form — so you never miss the deadline or leave money on the table.

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