How to Calculate Child Benefit in Germany ("Kindergeld")

When calculating child and spousal support, the paid child benefit ("Kindergeld") has to be taken into account. Child benefit is paid by the state for children up to the age of 18, and is based on the number of children and how old they are. The child benefit is to be shared equally by father and mother. For children above 18 years, child benefit is only paid under specific conditions.

Content

• Calculating Child Benefit in Germany
• Additional conditions for children from 18 years old
• More information on child benefit in Germany

Calculating Child Benefit in Germany (as of 2024)

The amount of child benefit in Germany changes frequently. This calculator takes into consideration the most updated child benefit entitlements and for earlier years since 2014.

Enter the number of children below the age of 18. If you have children above 18 years old, and additional requirements are met for these children, enter the number of these children as well. The first and second child receive the same amount of child benefit. However, if there are more than two children, the amount of child benefit increases. If you want to get the results of child benefit for an earlier year select the year and press Calculate.

The amount of total represents the monthly and annual entitlement to child benefit.

Additional conditions for children from 18 years old

For children below 18 years old child benefit is paid without additional conditions.

For children between 18 to 21 years old child benefit is only paid if at least one of the following additional requirements are fulfilled:

◾ Unemployed and registered as a jobseeker.
◾ Looking for an apprenticeship with evidence of trying without success.
◾ Undertaking training for an occupation, attending further schooling or university.
◾ Without any income due to physical, mental or psychological disability.

For children between 21 to 25 years old child benefit is only paid if at least one of the following additional requirements are fulfilled:

◾ Looking for an apprenticeship with evidence of trying without success.
◾ Undertaking training for an occupation, attending further schooling or university.
◾ Without any income due to physical, mental or psychological disability.

For children above 25 years old child benefit is only paid if following additional requirement is fulfilled:

◾ Without any income due to physical, mental or psychological disability that occurred before the age of 25

Development of child benefit in Germany

The development of child benefit in Germany as of 2014 is shown for the first, second, third and fourth child. The child benefit for all further children corresponds to that for the fourth child.

More information on child benefit in Germany

This child benefit calculator only offers an overview of claiming child benefit. Further detailed information on the additional requirements for child benefit can be found in the Child benefit leaflet of the Family Benefits Office ("Familienkasse"). The Family Benefits Office is the German public office responsible for the setting and payment of child benefit.