Which family benefits exist in Germany in 2026?

At the federal level there are ten main benefits: Kindergeld (€259/child/mo), Elterngeld (€300–1,800/mo), the child supplement (up to €297/child/mo), the maintenance advance (€227–394/mo), maternity benefit (max. €13/day + employer), housing benefit (income-dependent), the child tax allowance (€9,756/year for tax), the single-parent relief amount (€4,260/year), child sick pay (90% of net wage), and the Education and Participation Package. At the state level, family allowances, child-rearing benefits, family passes, and other benefits are added.

Which benefits can I receive at the same time?

Kindergeld + Elterngeld + the child supplement + housing benefit + the maintenance advance + maternity benefit are generally combinable. Not combinable are Bürgergeld with the child supplement or housing benefit, and Elterngeld only runs after the maternity protection period ends (maternity benefit is offset). Kindergeld and the child tax allowance are weighed against each other in the comparison test.

Where do I apply for which family benefit?

Kindergeld and the child supplement → the Familienkasse (family benefits office) of the Federal Employment Agency. Elterngeld → the federal state's Elterngeldstelle (varies: youth welfare office, pension office, ZBFS in Bavaria). Maintenance advance → the municipal Jugendamt (youth welfare office). Maternity benefit → the statutory health insurer or BAFzA (for the privately insured). Housing benefit → the municipal housing benefit office. Child tax allowance → the tax office (the child annex in your income tax return).

How much money does a family with 2 children receive at most in 2026?

In a situation close to Bürgergeld level, a family with 2 children can easily receive €2,000–2,500/month in family benefits (Kindergeld €518 + child supplement up to €594 + housing benefit + possibly the education package). With Elterngeld, an additional up to €1,800/month in the first 12 months. The calculation depends heavily on income and place of residence.

What is the difference between the child supplement and Bürgergeld?

The child supplement targets families with earned income who earn enough for themselves but whose income is not enough for the children. Bürgergeld is the basic income support for households without sufficient means. Anyone receiving Bürgergeld gets no child supplement (and vice versa). The supplement is often more favorable than Bürgergeld because it does not top up the wage fully to the standard rate.

Which state benefits can I additionally apply for?

That depends heavily on the federal state. Bavaria, for example, pays a family allowance (€250/mo for the 13th–24th month of life) and a nursery allowance (€100/mo). Saxony, Thuringia, and Baden-Württemberg have state child-rearing benefits (€150–205/mo). Berlin and Hamburg offer family passes with discounts. A full overview is on the respective federal-state pages.

Until when can I apply for family benefits retroactively?

Kindergeld: max. 6 months (§ 70 (1) EStG, shortened since 2018). Elterngeld: max. 3 months. Maternity benefit: immediately from the start of maternity protection. Maintenance advance: from the month of application. Child supplement: from the month of application. Housing benefit: from the month of application. Child tax allowance: via the tax return for the relevant year.

What happens to the benefits when I move?

Federal benefits (Kindergeld, Elterngeld, maternity benefit) continue with a domestic move — you only need to report the new address. Housing benefit must be reapplied for (new rent tier, new landlord). State benefits may lapse or need to be reapplied for. For a move abroad within the EU, Regulation 883/2004 applies; for third countries, the entitlement usually ends.

Are there family benefits I do not have to apply for?

Yes, three: (1) The child tax allowance under tax class III/IV is entered automatically in the wage tax deduction as ELStAM data once you receive Kindergeld. (2) The relief amount under tax class II is likewise considered automatically. (3) The comparison test happens automatically in the tax assessment. All other benefits must be actively applied for.

Where can I find help with applications?

Caritas, Diakonie, and the association of single parents (VAMV) offer free advice. When receiving Bürgergeld, there is social counseling at the job center. For complex tax questions, wage-tax assistance associations help (membership approx. €90–200/year). For legal questions, a specialist family- or social-law attorney can be consulted — free of charge with legal aid for low income.

Family Benefits in Germany 2026 – A Complete Overview of Every Benefit

Updated: May 2026. Germany has more than ten different family benefits at the federal and state levels — from child benefit and parental allowance to housing benefit and the education package. Know all your entitlements, and you can receive several thousand euros a year extra. This overview explains each benefit with its amount, eligibility, application route, and combination rules.

At a glance (as of 2026)

Kindergeld (child benefit): €259/child/month – nearly all families, § 66 EStG
Elterngeld (parental allowance): €300–1,800/month – income limit €175,000 taxable income, BEEG
Kinderzuschlag (child supplement): up to €297/child/month – low-income families, § 6a BKGG
Unterhaltsvorschuss (maintenance advance): €227–394/month – single parents, § 2 UhVorschG
Mutterschaftsgeld (maternity benefit): max. €13/day from statutory insurer + employer top-up, §§ 19–24 MuSchG
Wohngeld (housing benefit): income-dependent – not for Bürgergeld recipients, WoGG
Kinderfreibetrag (child tax allowance): €9,756/year for tax – comparison test against Kindergeld, § 32 (6) EStG
Single-parent relief amount: €4,260/year + €240 per additional child, § 24b EStG
Kinderkrankengeld (child sick pay): 90% of net wage – 15–30 days per child, § 45 SGB V
Education and Participation Package (BuT): €195/year school supplies + lunches, class trips
State benefits: vary widely by federal state (Bavaria family allowance €250/mo, Saxony child-rearing benefit €150/mo)
Last update: May 2026

1. Kindergeld – the base benefit

Amount: €259/child/month (uniform since 2026, the same for every child) Legal basis: § 66 EStG Eligibility: all parents with tax liability or ordinary residence in Germany Application: online at the Familienkasse (family benefits office) of the Federal Employment Agency Duration: until age 18; until 25 if the child is in training or studying (§ 32 (4) EStG) Retroactivity: max. 6 months (§ 70 (1) EStG, shortened since 2018)

2. Elterngeld – wage replacement after birth

Amount: 67% of pre-birth net income, minimum €300, maximum €1,800/month Income ceiling 2026: €175,000 taxable income/year (couples and single parents) Duration: 12 months Basic Elterngeld + 2 partner months; up to 28 months as ElterngeldPlus (half the monthly amount, double the duration) Sibling bonus: +10% (min. €75) with at least one further child under 3 or two under 6 Multiples supplement: +€300/month per additional child from a multiple birth (Basic) or +€150 (Plus)

3. Kinderzuschlag – the low-income top-up

Amount: max. €297/child/month Legal basis: § 6a BKGG Eligibility: parents with earned income that, without the supplement, would mean Bürgergeld-level need Minimum income: €900/month (couples) or €600 (single parents) Maximum income: varies by family situation (higher amounts with more children) Tapering: 45 cents per euro of income above the needs threshold Application: Familienkasse (separate from Kindergeld) Combinable with: Kindergeld, housing benefit, maternity benefit Not combinable with: Bürgergeld (SGB II)

4. Unterhaltsvorschuss – for single parents

Amount 2026 (tiered by age):

Age group	Monthly amount
0–5 years	€227
6–11 years	€299
12–17 years	€394

Legal basis: § 2 UhVorschG (no more 72-month limit since 2017) Eligibility: children of single parents where the other parent pays no or irregular maintenance Application: the Jugendamt (youth welfare office) of the municipality of residence Duration: until age 18 Offset: actual maintenance payments are deducted from the advance; half the Kindergeld is counted

5. Mutterschaftsgeld – wage replacement during maternity protection

Amount: max. €13/day from the statutory health insurer + employer top-up to the level of the pre-birth net wage Legal basis: § 24i SGB V (statutory health insurer benefit), §§ 19–24 MuSchG (maternity protection) Duration: 6 weeks before + 8 weeks after birth (14 weeks total, 18 weeks for multiple/premature births) For the privately insured and mini-jobbers: a one-off payment of €210 via the Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society Tasks (BAFzA)

6. Wohngeld – rent subsidy for families

Amount: income-dependent, varying by household size, federal state, rent tier (1–7) Legal basis: WoGG (the Housing Benefit Act) Eligibility: households with income too low for the rent but no Bürgergeld claim Application: the municipal housing benefit office 2023 reform: average increase from €180 to €370/month Combinable with: Kindergeld, child supplement, Elterngeld Not combinable with: Bürgergeld

7. Kinderfreibetrag – the tax advantage

Amount 2026: €6,828 basic allowance + €2,928 BEA = €9,756/child/year (under joint assessment) Legal basis: § 32 (6) EStG Comparison test: the tax office automatically compares against the paid-out Kindergeld (€3,108/year) and applies the more favorable variant

8. Single-parent relief amount

Amount: €4,260/year for the first child + €240 per additional child Legal basis: § 24b EStG Requirement: genuinely a single parent (tax class II), no shared household with an adult Effect: lowers wage tax and the solidarity surcharge directly via tax class II

9. Kinderkrankengeld

Amount: 90% of net wage (up to the statutory health insurance contribution ceiling) Legal basis: § 45 SGB V Days in 2026:

Per parent: 15 days/child (max. 35 days total regardless of number of children)
Single parents: 30 days/child (max. 70 days) Requirement: statutory health insurance, child under 12 (older with disability), a doctor's certificate

10. Education and Participation Package (BuT)

For children from Bürgergeld, child-supplement, or housing-benefit families:

School supplies: €195/year (€130 in August + €65 in February)
Class trips: fully covered
Lunch subsidy: up to the actual amount
Club membership, music school, holiday activities: up to €15/month
Learning support: subject to a needs assessment

11. State benefits (selection)

These benefits are granted in addition to federal benefits and vary widely by state:

Federal state	Benefit	Amount
Bavaria	family allowance	€250/mo for the 13th–24th month of the child's life
Bavaria	nursery allowance	€100/mo per child in daycare
Saxony	state child-rearing benefit	€150/mo for the 13th–24th month
Thuringia	child-rearing benefit	up to €200/mo
Baden-Württemberg	state child-rearing benefit	up to €205/mo
Berlin	family pass	culture/leisure discounts
Hamburg	KitaPlus + family card	discounts
NRW	education package plus	varies regionally

A complete overview of all federal states is on our federal-state pages.

Master table of federal benefits

Benefit	Amount 2026	Eligibility	Apply at
Kindergeld	€259/child/month	nearly all families	Familienkasse
Elterngeld	€300–1,800/month	limit €175k taxable income	Elterngeldstelle
Kinderzuschlag	up to €297/child/month	low income	Familienkasse
Maintenance advance	€227–394/month	single parents	Jugendamt
Maternity benefit	max. €13/day + employer	statutorily insured mothers	health insurer
Housing benefit	income-dependent	non-Bürgergeld	municipal housing office
Child tax allowance	€9,756/year for tax	taxpayers	tax office (tax return)
Single-parent relief	€4,260/year	single parents	tax office (tax class II)
Child sick pay	90% of net wage	statutorily insured	health insurer

Case study 1 – the Müller family (2 children, 2 + 5 years, €2,500 net income)

Tobias and Maria Müller live in Hannover with son Jonas (5) and daughter Lena (2). Tobias earns €2,500 net; Maria is on parental leave:

Kindergeld: 2 × €259 = €518/month
Child supplement: approx. €270/month (after tapering, as income exceeds the €900 minimum)
Housing benefit: at €950 gross warm rent and rent tier 4, approx. €180/month
Elterngeld (Maria, Basic): approx. €300/month (the minimum, as there is no pre-birth income)
Total ongoing benefits: €1,268/month → annual total approx. €15,220

Case study 2 – single parent Ms. Becker (1 child aged 3, no maintenance, €1,800 net)

Sandra Becker lives in Leipzig with her 3-year-old daughter Mia. The father pays no maintenance:

Kindergeld: €259/month
Maintenance advance: €227/month (for 0–5 years)
Child supplement: €297 − (€1,800 − €600) × 0.45 = €297 − €540 = €0 (income too high)
Single-parent relief amount: €4,260/year for tax → approx. €355/month tax saving
Housing benefit: at €600 gross warm rent in Leipzig rent tier 3, approx. €110/month
Total: approx. €951/month in ongoing benefits + tax saving

Case study 3 – the Wagner family (twins, €3,000 net, tax class III)

Petra Wagner from Düsseldorf has twins in April 2026. Her husband Klaus earns €3,000 net:

Kindergeld: 2 × €259 = €518/month (from the month of birth)
Maternity benefit (98 days before + after birth): statutory insurer €13/day × 98 = €1,274 + employer top-up to pre-birth net
Elterngeld (Petra, Basic, 12 + 2 partner months): 67% of €2,000 pre-birth net = €1,340/month + multiples supplement €300 = €1,640/month
Multiples sibling bonus: +10% on €1,640 (the bonus, if a further child under 3 exists) – not directly applicable in the twin case
Total during Petra's parental leave: approx. €2,158/month in family benefits

Combination rules (what goes together, what does not?)

Benefit 1	Benefit 2	Combinable?
Kindergeld	Elterngeld	Yes
Kindergeld	Child supplement	Yes
Kindergeld	Maternity benefit	Yes
Kindergeld	Maintenance advance	Yes (the advance is halved by half the Kindergeld)
Child supplement	Housing benefit	Yes
Maternity benefit	Elterngeld	No (sequentially; maternity benefit is offset)
Bürgergeld	Child supplement	No (Bürgergeld excludes the supplement)
Bürgergeld	Housing benefit	No (Bürgergeld includes housing costs)
Kindergeld	Child tax allowance	Comparison test – only the more favorable variant applies

What happens if …

… I apply for Bürgergeld and housing benefit at the same time? You must choose — Bürgergeld already includes housing costs. Housing benefit is only for households above the Bürgergeld threshold. The housing benefit office automatically checks whether Bürgergeld would be more favorable and refers you there if so.
… my child turns 18? Kindergeld can continue until 25 if the child is in vocational training or studying. You must submit the training certificate annually, otherwise the entitlement stops. The child tax allowance and BEA also apply until 25 under the same conditions.
… I receive Elterngeld and maternity benefit at the same time? Maternity benefit is offset against Elterngeld so that no overpayment arises. In the 8 weeks after birth you usually receive only maternity benefit; Elterngeld begins the day after the maternity protection period ends.
… I move? Most benefits continue, but you must inform the responsible office (Familienkasse, Jugendamt, housing benefit office). When moving to another federal state, the state child-rearing benefit or family allowance may change. Housing benefit must be reapplied for (new rent tier).
… I want to keep family benefits after moving abroad? When moving within the EU, EU Regulation 883/2004 applies — the country of employment pays primarily, the country of residence supplements differences. For third countries, the Kindergeld entitlement usually ends upon departure.

Common mistakes when applying

Mistake	Consequence	How to avoid
Benefits not applied for	thousands of euros/year forfeited	use the family benefits check
Double application by both parents	processing halt	agree on who applies
Late application	retroactive only 6 months	apply as soon as eligible
Tax class I as a single parent	relief amount not considered	apply to switch to tax class II at once
Wrong health insurer for maternity benefit	delay	always apply at your own statutory insurer
Bürgergeld and child supplement together	child supplement rejected	apply for only one benefit

Reference to our calculators

Family benefits check – a 5-step wizard that checks all your entitlements at once
Kindergeld calculator – amount and payout date
Elterngeld calculator – Basic, Plus, multiples supplement
Child supplement calculator – with tapering
Maintenance advance calculator – tiered by age
Maternity benefit calculator – statutory insurer share + employer top-up
Kindergeld vs. child tax allowance comparison – tax optimization
Pillar page: benefits 2026 – all amounts at a glance

Sources

§ 66 EStG – Kindergeld
§§ 1–4, 4a, 4b BEEG – Elterngeld, ElterngeldPlus, partnership bonus
§ 6a BKGG – child supplement
§ 2 UhVorschG – maintenance advance
§ 24i SGB V, §§ 19–24 MuSchG – maternity benefit
WoGG – Housing Benefit Act
§ 32 (6) EStG – child tax allowance + BEA
§ 24b EStG – single-parent relief amount
§ 45 SGB V – child sick pay
SGB II – Education and Participation Package (§ 28)
BMFSFJ Familienportal – federal benefits overview
familienkasse.de – application forms and guides
arbeitsagentur.de – family and children

Note: This overview has been editorially reviewed but does not replace legal or tax advice within the meaning of § 2 RDG. For binding information, contact the relevant authority (Familienkasse, Elterngeldstelle, Jugendamt, tax office, housing benefit office).

All Family Benefits in Germany 2026: The Complete Overview