Child Benefit/
Child-Raising Allowance
Child Benefit (Kindergeld)
For whom can you Claim? To What Age?
Anyone with children who lives in Germany can claim child benefit. Foreign citizens are also entitled, as long as they have a valid right of residence or residence permit. You can claim for your own children, your spouse's children, foster children or grand children if they live in your household. Child Benefit can be claimed up to a child's 18th birthday, however it can be extended to the child's 27th birthday if the child is still in education or training not earning more than Euro 6,900pa (Euro 7,178pa from 1.1.02).
What you Receive
The amount depends on the number of children; €154 per child per month for the first 3 children. €179 for the fourth and subsequent children.
Child benefit is paid regardless of the parent's income. Under the family compensation system child benefit takes the form of tax relief or a tax-free allowance for children (Kinderfreibetrag). It is paid throughout the year and is administered by the family benefits department of local employment offices. To claim benefit you must apply for it. The family benefits department (Familienkasse) at your local Employment Office (Arbeitsamt) will be pleased to help. In addition, to help with the bureaucracy, BAESG will assist fully in your application.
Child Raising Allowance
Many mothers and fathers take several years off work to look after their children full-time. Since January 1986 a child-raising allowance (Erziehungsgeld) has been claimable in recognition of this commitment. Child-raising allowance is available until the child is 24 month's old, paid at €307 each child per month, however this allowance is subject to income limits, if a household's income exceeds Euro €15,032 a year the allowance is either not applicable, or reduced in varying amounts.
