Germany Child & Family Benefits

Germany spends roughly 2% of GDP on child and family support and is one of Europe's more aggressive family-policy countries. The three pillars are Kindergeld (child benefit), Elterngeld (parental benefit), and the Kinderfreibetrag (tax allowance for children). Foreigners with a residence permit who live in Germany with their children can usually claim the same benefits as Germans — making this one of the areas where the contrast with Korea is most pronounced.

Kindergeld (child benefit)

• Amount: EUR 255/month per child (as of 2026; subject to change). The same flat amount regardless of number of children.
• Eligibility: all children under 18. Extended to age 25 if in vocational training or higher education.
• Where to apply: Familienkasse (under Bundesagentur für Arbeit).
• Foreigner eligibility:
  • EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: qualify by residence or employment in Germany.
  • Non-EU citizens: holders of permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or a residence permit including labour-market access. The type of residence permit and right to work is the key test.
  • Children living outside the EU (e.g. in Korea) are usually excluded (limited exceptions, e.g. short-term studies abroad).
• Backdating: up to 6 months retroactive. Apply on time.

Elterngeld (parental benefit)

• Paid to parents who reduce or pause work after childbirth, at 65–67% of previous net income (range EUR 300–1,800/month).
• Basiselterngeld: up to 14 months combined between parents (12 months + 2 partner months only if both parents take at least 1 month).
• Elterngeld Plus: half the amount, double the duration — designed for part-time return.
• Income cap: households with taxable income above EUR 175,000 (as of 2026; subject to change) are excluded; the threshold is being tightened in stages. Reconfirm before applying.

Other family-related benefits

• Kinderfreibetrag: roughly EUR 9,540 per child deducted from taxable income (as of 2026; subject to change). The tax office automatically compares this against Kindergeld and applies whichever is more favourable (Günstigerprüfung).
• Kinderzuschlag (child supplement): for low-income working households — up to EUR 292 per child per month.
• Mutterschaftsgeld: wage replacement for the 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after birth (for GKV members).

Things to watch

• Steuer-ID (tax ID): your child needs one to apply for Kindergeld. It's mailed automatically after birth registration (Geburtsanzeige).
• No double benefits: under EU coordination rules, if you're already drawing the same kind of benefit in your home country, only the difference is paid in Germany.
• Bürgergeld recipients: Kindergeld is automatically counted as income for the child, so it can effectively be offset.

Official guidance: Familienkasse, Familienportal