What is child benefit?

Child benefit is one of the most important family benefits in Germany. It represents the income tax subsistence minimum exemption of the child in the parents' income tax assessment (so-called family benefit equalization) and is implemented by means of income-independent monthly minimum payments, which are increased, if necessary, by taking into account child benefit exemption amounts in the income tax return.

How much is the child benefit?

Child benefit is currently €219 for the first and second eligible child. From the third child, child benefit increases to 225€, and from the fourth to 250€ per child. Child benefit is regularly adjusted on the basis of the German government's subsistence level report.

How do I apply for child benefit?

The child benefit is formally claimed after the birth at the competent authority (as a rule <a href="https://wp.einfach-elterngeld.de/en/child-benefit-departments">child benefit department (Familienkasse)</a> the Federal Employment Agency) is applied for. The most important application parameter is the child's eleven-digit tax identification number, which parents receive from the Federal Central Tax Office about 2-3 weeks after receiving the birth certificate.

Child Benefit Calculator 2024

With our child benefit calculator you can quickly and easily calculate your child benefit entitlement

Child benefit parents receive regardless of their income or employment situation and represents Germany’s tax support for families. In our article “Apply for child benefit” we explain everything important on the subject of eligibility requirements, application, etc.

How many children are you expecting?

For how many children do you already receive child benefit?

Can counting children* (Zählkinder) be considered?

Calculate child benefit

Explanation

*Counting children ("Zählkinder") are natural children for whom you do not receive child benefit yourself.

Example

The Müller family is expecting a child in November 2022. The father already has two biological children from a previous relationship, but he does not receive child benefit for them. For the child born in November 2022, he applies for child benefit because his two older children are taken into account as so-called counting children ("Zählkinder"), which means that his child benefit entitlement for his third child is 225€ instead of 219€ per month.

The child benefit calculator from Einfach Elterngeld

This is how our child benefit calculator works

The amount of child benefit is determined by the number of children for whom the claimant is entitled.

You are entitled to child benefit if

your child is under 18 years of age (under certain conditions, you can also apply for and receive child benefit for children who are of age),
you regularly care for your child and he or she lives in your household (this also applies to stepchildren, grandchildren or foster children) and
Your place of residence is in Germany, another EU country, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland or Switzerland. Learn more on the page “Apply for child benefit”.

In our child benefit calculator, you first select how many children you expect due to your pregnancy, and in the second step, for how many children you are already entitled.

If you then click on the “Calculate child benefit” button, your (expected) monthly child benefit entitlement will be output.

Tip:

If you already have natural children, these may be taken into account as so-called counted children (“Zählkind”) in the amount of the child benefit entitlement for another child.

Example:

The Müller family is expecting a child in November 2022. The father already has two biological children from a previous relationship, but he does not receive child benefit for them. For the child born in November 2022, he applies for child benefit because his two older children are taken into account as so-called counting children, which means that his child benefit entitlement for his third child is 225€ instead of 219€ per month.

Child benefit increases of the past

The amount of the child benefit is regularly adjusted by the federal government. It is based on the report on the minimum subsistence level and is intended to ensure that the child’s minimum subsistence level is exempt from income tax.

This table provides an overview of the child benefit adjustments in recent years:

Amount // Year

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

for the 1st and 2nd child each

194€

194€, respectively 204€ (from 07/2020)

204€

219€

250€

for the third child

200€

200€, respectively 210€ (from 07/2020)

210€

225€

250€

for each additional child

225€

225€, respectively 235€ (from 07/2020)

235€

250€

Notice:

The federal government elected in 2021 has agreed in its coalition agreement (agreement between the Sozialdemokratischen Partei Deutschlands (SPD), BÜNDNIS 90 / DIE GRÜNEN and the Freien Demokraten (FDP)) to reform child benefits.

The aim is to introduce a so-called new basic child benefit. In our article on the new basic child benefit we take up the plans and explain the consequences for parents.

Elterngeldberatung Einfach Elterngeld - Individuelle Beratung vereinbaren.

We have answers to your questions.

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FAQ

What is child benefit?: Child benefit is one of the most important family benefits in Germany. It represents the income tax subsistence minimum exemption of the child in the parents’ income tax assessment (so-called family benefit equalization) and is implemented by means of income-independent monthly minimum payments, which are increased, if necessary, by taking into account child benefit exemption amounts in the income tax return.
How much is the child benefit?: Child benefit is currently €219 for the first and second eligible child. From the third child, child benefit increases to 225€, and from the fourth to 250€ per child. Child benefit is regularly adjusted on the basis of the German government’s subsistence level report.
How do I apply for child benefit?: The child benefit is formally claimed after the birth at the competent authority (as a rule child benefit department (Familienkasse) the Federal Employment Agency) is applied for. The most important application parameter is the child’s eleven-digit tax identification number, which parents receive from the Federal Central Tax Office about 2-3 weeks after receiving the birth certificate.

This might also interest you:

Child benefit payment dates
Here you can find an overview of child benefit payment dates.

Child benefit payment
You can find important information about the payment of child benefit here.

Child benefit department (Familienkasse) – Child benefit (Kindergeld)
We explain the connection between child benefit and the child benefit department.