Child Benefit Calculator 2026
How much Kindergeld does your family receive in 2026? Monthly and yearly amounts under Section 66 of the German Income Tax Act – including the increase over 2025
As of September 2026Basis: § 66 EStG (Income Tax Act)Calculated in your browser – nothing is stored
Children entitled to child benefit · tap or drag
Child benefit or child allowance?Comparison: enter taxable income
From the tax assessment, before child allowances; for couples combined
Assessment
Child benefit per month (2026)
€6,216 a year
€518
€518For 2 children you receive €518 a month – €6,216 a year (€259 per child).
- Per child
- €259/month
- Per year
- €6,216/year
- More than 2025
- +€96/year
Good to know
Flat rate: €259 for every child, no graduation (Section 66 EStG).
Eligible until 18, in education until 25, registered as jobseeker until 21 (Section 32).
The tax office automatically compares with the child allowances (€9,756 per child for couples) – you can recalculate it below.
Apply at the Familienkasse of the Federal Employment Agency – ideally right after the birth.
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Child benefit 2026: amount, increase and eligibility
Germany's child benefit (Kindergeld) is €259 per child per month in 2026 (Section 66 (1) of the Income Tax Act). There is no tiering by number of children: whether it is your first, second or fourth child – the rate is the same for every child. Compared with 2025 (€255), the benefit rose by €4 per child per month, i.e. €48 per child per year.
For a family with two children that adds up to €518 per month and €6,216 per year. Child benefit is paid out monthly by the Familienkasse (family benefits office) of the Federal Employment Agency and is tax-free – technically an advance on the tax exemption of the child subsistence minimum.
Child benefit 2026 at a glance
- €259 per child per month
- The same for every child, no tiering (Section 66 Income Tax Act)
- +€4 compared with 2025
- 2025: €255 – the increase applies since 1 January 2026
- €3,108 per child per year
- Tax-free, paid out monthly by the Familienkasse
- Until age 18, 21 or 25
- Depending on the child’s situation (Section 32), no age limit with a disability
How your child benefit is calculated
Who receives child benefit? (Section 32 Income Tax Act)
- 1Until the 18th birthdayFor every child, with no further requirements.
- 2Until 21 if unemployedIf the child is not employed and registered as a jobseeker with the employment agency.
- 3Until 25 in educationDuring vocational training, university studies, transition periods of up to 4 months or recognised voluntary services.
- 4No age limit with a disabilityIf the disability occurred before the 25th birthday and the child cannot support themselves.
- Child benefit per child
- €259/month
- Number of children
- 2
- Child benefit per month (259 × 2)
- €518
- Child benefit per year (518 × 12)
- €6,216
- More than in 2025 (+€4 per child, yearly)
- +€96
- Child benefit per child
- €259/month
- Number of children
- 3
- Child benefit per month (259 × 3)
- €777
- Child benefit per year (777 × 12)
- €9,324
Child benefit or child tax allowance?
Child benefit and the child tax allowance (Kinderfreibetrag) are two routes to the same goal: exempting your child’s subsistence minimum from tax. The child tax allowance is €9,756 per child in 2026 (€6,828 subsistence minimum + €2,928 for care, upbringing and education). You do not have to choose: the tax office automatically checks which option is better for you when you file your income tax return (Section 31 Income Tax Act).
Rule of thumb: for most families the paid-out child benefit is the better deal; the allowance only wins at higher incomes. To see how children affect your net salary and taxes, use the gross-net calculator. Families on low incomes can additionally receive the child supplement (Kinderzuschlag) on top of child benefit – up to €297 per child per month.
You apply for child benefit at the Familienkasse of the Federal Employment Agency – online or in writing, usually by the parent the child lives with. Back payments are limited, so it pays to apply right after the birth.
Frequently asked questions about child benefit 2026
Amount, eligibility, payout and the child tax allowance
How much is child benefit in Germany in 2026?
Child benefit is €259 per child per month in 2026 (Section 66 (1) of the Income Tax Act) – the same for every child, with no tiering. That is €3,108 per child per year. In 2025 it was €255; the €4 increase applies since 1 January 2026.
How much child benefit do I get with 2, 3 or 4 children?
With 2 children: €518/month (€6,216/year). With 3 children: €777/month (€9,324/year). With 4 children: €1,036/month (€12,432/year). Since the rate is uniform, simply multiply €259 by the number of children.
Until what age is child benefit paid?
Generally until the 18th birthday (Section 32 Income Tax Act). Beyond that: until 21 if the child is not employed and registered as a jobseeker; until 25 during vocational training, university studies, transition periods of up to 4 months or voluntary services. For children with a disability that occurred before their 25th birthday and who cannot support themselves, there is no age limit.
Child benefit or child tax allowance – which is better?
You do not need to decide yourself: the tax office automatically runs the comparison (Günstigerprüfung, Section 31 Income Tax Act) with your tax return. The child tax allowance totals €9,756 per child in 2026 (€6,828 + €2,928 for care and education). For most families the child benefit is the better deal; the allowance only wins at higher incomes.
Where do I apply for child benefit?
At the Familienkasse of the Federal Employment Agency – online via its portal or in writing. The application is usually made by the parent the child lives with. Apply as soon as possible after the birth, since back payments are limited.
Is child benefit tax-free?
Yes, the child benefit itself is not taxed. Technically it is an advance on the tax exemption of the child subsistence minimum: when assessing your tax return, the tax office offsets it against the child tax allowance if the allowance is more favourable.