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Kinderzuschlag Calculator 2026

Calculate your Kinderzuschlag – up to 297 EUR per child per month.

01

€297

Max. per child / month

02

€900

Min. income (couple)

03

2026

Data year

What is the Kinderzuschlag?

The Kinderzuschlag (KiZ) is a supplementary family benefit for parents who have their own earned income but without this top-up would need to rely on Bürgergeld. The maximum amount in 2026 is €297 per child per month (§6a BKGG).

The minimum income requirement is €900 for couples and €600 for single parents. The benefit is reduced by 45 cents for every euro that income exceeds this threshold.

Calculate Kinderzuschlag

Input
1
€1,200
0 €4.000 €
Minimum threshold: €900 (parents' net income)

Result

Fill in the inputs and click "Calculate".

FAQ — 08

Frequently asked questions about Kinderzuschlag

Q.01Who is entitled to Kinderzuschlag?
Parents who have earned income but would need Burgergeld without the supplement. Income must be at least 900 EUR (couples) or 600 EUR (single parents). At the same time, income must not be so high that there would be no entitlement to Burgergeld.
Q.02What is the maximum Kinderzuschlag in 2026?
The maximum Kinderzuschlag in 2026 is 297 EUR per child per month (§6a BKGG). The actual amount is reduced by 45 cents for every euro by which income exceeds the minimum income threshold.
Q.03Can Kinderzuschlag and Kindergeld be received at the same time?
Yes, Kinderzuschlag and Kindergeld are paid independently of each other. Both benefits can be received simultaneously.
Q.04Which benefits combine with Kinderzuschlag?
With Kinderzuschlag you automatically receive the Education and Participation package (BuT: tutoring, school meals, class trips, sports-club membership). Wohngeld is possible in parallel and usually more favourable than Bürgergeld. Kita fees are also waived for KiZ recipients.
Q.05How long is Kinderzuschlag granted for?
The approval period is 6 months. Income, housing or family changes are only considered at the next application, as long as the entitlement persists in principle. This gives families planning certainty, unlike Bürgergeld with its monthly recalculation.
Q.06When is Bürgergeld better than Kinderzuschlag?
When income is so low that even maximum KiZ + Kindergeld + Wohngeld cannot cover the family's living needs. The Familienkasse checks this automatically and refers you to the Jobcenter if appropriate.
Q.07Are there asset limits?
Yes: 15,000 € per person, plus protected assets for retirement savings. Owner-occupied housing is excluded. Compared with Bürgergeld, the asset test for KiZ is more generous.
Q.08Do the self-employed apply differently?
The self-employed evidence income with the latest tax assessment and current revenue/expenses. Because of fluctuating earnings, the approval is often adjusted at the 6-month follow-up — a renewal application with updated figures is standard.

— Explainer

What is Kinderzuschlag and who is entitled in 2026?

Kinderzuschlag (KiZ) is a targeted benefit for parents whose earnings just lift them above the Bürgergeld threshold but who cannot fully cover their children's needs. The 2023 KiZ reform raised the maximum amount and simplified procedures — today it is an effective tool against child poverty.

Entitled persons live with their children in one household, receive Kindergeld for those children, and have a minimum income: 900 € (couples) or 600 € (single parents) per month. At the same time, income must not be so high that no need would remain even with KiZ.

Since 1 January 2026, the maximum KiZ is 297 € per child per month. The amount is reduced by 45 cents per euro of parental income above the assessment threshold. With multiple children, KiZ sums up — a family with 3 children can in theory receive up to 891 €/month, depending on income.

Legal basis: § 6a BKGG (Bundeskindergeldgesetz). Unlike Bürgergeld, KiZ is processed by the Familienkasse — the same office that pays Kindergeld. Applications can be filed online via the Familienkasse portal.

— Calculation

KiZ is calculated in three stages: maximum amount → deduction for parental income → deduction for child income.

Maximum per child

297 € / month (2026)

For every eligible child under 25

Minimum income (couples)

900 € gross / month

Earnings + sick pay + Mutterschaftsgeld + Elterngeld count

Minimum income (single parents)

600 € gross / month

Parental income offset

45 ct / 1 € above threshold

Threshold ≈ housing need + flat-rate allowances

Child income offset

45 ct / 1 € of child income

Maintenance, half-orphan pension, student jobs > 100 €

Asset limit

15,000 € / person

Plus retirement-savings allowance; owner-occupied housing excluded

Approval period

6 months

Changes considered only at renewal

KiZ recipients automatically receive the Education and Participation package and pay no Kita fees. Wohngeld is often available on top.

— Edge cases

Combining KiZ with Wohngeld

Wohngeld and KiZ combine and often cover a family's needs better than Bürgergeld. The Familienkasse does not offset Wohngeld against KiZ — both run in parallel.

§ 6a BKGG in conjunction with WoGG

Step-children and foster children

Step-children, grandchildren in the household and foster children can also establish a KiZ claim, provided the applicant receives Kindergeld for them.

§ 6a (1) BKGG

Transition from Bürgergeld to KiZ

If income rises beyond Bürgergeld eligibility, the Jobcenter automatically checks a transition to KiZ + Wohngeld. Timing matters — apply early to avoid a coverage gap.

§ 12a SGB II

Self-employed with fluctuating income

For the self-employed, an expected average income is estimated; after the approval period a target/actual reconciliation takes place. Higher actuals can lead to clawback.

§ 6a (4) BKGG

Separation during the benefit period

On separation, the claim is recalculated immediately, usually in favour of the parent the child now lives with. The other party may receive a reduced KiZ if children live in shared custody.

§ 6a BKGG

Parents abroad

Short trips abroad do not affect entitlement. If parents or children move their habitual residence abroad, the claim ends — unlike Kindergeld, where EU coordination can apply.

§ 1 BKGG

— How to apply for Kinderzuschlag

Apply online via the Familienkasse portal or with paper form KiZ 1. The Familienkasse automatically checks whether KiZ or Bürgergeld is more favourable.

  1. 01

    Use the KiZ-Lotse first

    On familienkasse.de the Familienkasse offers an online wizard that gives a first eligibility estimate without registration. Clarifies in 5 minutes whether an application is worthwhile.

  2. 02

    Collect documents

    Last 3 pay slips, current tenancy + service-charge statement, bank statements, for the self-employed: tax assessment + recent BWA, proof of maintenance or other social benefits.

  3. 03

    Submit online

    Via familienkasse.de with BundID login. The online form is accessibility-friendly, many fields are pre-filled from Kindergeld data. Paper form KiZ 1 + KiZ 3 is available if needed.

  4. 04

    Activate the Education and Participation package

    On a positive KiZ decision, you are entitled to tutoring, school meals, class trips and sports-club membership. The applications for these run separately via the municipality — but the KiZ decision is the key.

  5. 05

    Apply for Wohngeld in parallel

    In most cases Wohngeld is available on top and fills the remaining gap. File at the municipal Wohngeldstelle — the calculation treats KiZ as income.

  6. 06

    File the renewal in time

    The approval period is 6 months. The Familienkasse reminds you about two months before — file the renewal to avoid a payment gap.

— Common mistakes

  • Late application during Bürgergeld transition

    When moving from Bürgergeld into work, file KiZ + Wohngeld immediately — not after Bürgergeld is stopped. Otherwise a 1–3 month coverage gap arises.

  • Not claiming the Education package

    KiZ recipients are entitled to the Education and Participation package — many families fail to claim it because the application is filed separately at the municipality. Submit the KiZ decision and the rest follows.

  • Forgetting Wohngeld

    KiZ alone often does not cover housing. Wohngeld is not checked automatically — separate application at the Wohngeldstelle is required.

  • Wrong minimum-income figure

    Gross, not net. Sick pay, Elterngeld, Mutterschaftsgeld also count toward the minimum income. Ignoring them leads to an unjustified rejection.

  • Undisclosed assets

    Even with a generous limit (15,000 €), incomplete disclosure leads to clawback and possibly an administrative-offence notice.

  • Missing the renewal

    No automatic continuation. Take the Familienkasse reminder seriously two months before expiry — otherwise payments stop and a new waiting time begins.

— Nächste Schritte

Formular

Kinderzuschlag beantragen – Familienkasse →

Online-Antrag auf familienkasse.de inklusive KiZ-Rechner der Familienkasse

Info

KiZ-Lotse: Prüfen Sie Ihren Anspruch →

Interaktiver KiZ-Lotse der Bundesagentur für Arbeit

Info

Wohngeld kombinieren – Informationen →

Kinderzuschlag kann zusammen mit Wohngeld bezogen werden

— Sources & legal basis

Note: This calculation is a simplified estimate. The official Familienkasse calculation also takes into account housing costs, child income and individual allowances.

As of: January 2026

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— Editorial

Elena Maurer

Elena Maurer

Editor-in-Chief

Elena leads the editorial team at familienleistungen-rechner.de. She researches and updates the calculators and guides based on official legislation and federal authorities. Her goal: making complex social benefits understandable and accessible for families.

Fact-checked by:Redaktion Faktencheck — Source Verification & Editorial Quality Assurance

Last reviewed:15 January 2026

Researched and editorially reviewed. Not legal advice within the meaning of § 2 RDG.

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