Child Benefit in Germany 2026
Child benefit (Kindergeld) is a monthly government transfer paid to parents for each child living in Germany. As of 2026, the amount is 250 euros per child per month, regardless of the number of children. It is paid until the child turns 18, or until age 25 if the child is in education, vocational training, or performing a voluntary service.
Child benefit is administered by the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse), which is part of the Federal Employment Agency. It is paid to the parent with whom the child primarily lives. In cases of shared custody where the child spends equal time with both parents, the parents must agree on who receives the payment, or the Family Benefits Office will designate a recipient.
The Half-Offset Rule for Minor Children
Under section 1612b of the German Civil Code, child benefit is offset against the child support obligation. For minor children, half of the child benefit is deducted from the non-custodial parent's support payment. The other half is deemed to be used by the custodial parent for the child's upkeep.
In concrete terms: the Düsseldorf Table lists a needs rate (Bedarfssatz) for each income group and age group. From this needs rate, 125 euros (half of the 250-euro child benefit) is deducted to arrive at the payment amount (Zahlbetrag). This payment amount is what the obligor actually transfers each month.
The rationale is straightforward. The child benefit is a contribution by the state toward the cost of raising a child. Since both parents share the responsibility, each effectively receives credit for half of the benefit. The custodial parent keeps half directly (by receiving the Kindergeld), and the non-custodial parent benefits from the reduced payment obligation.
Examples of the Offset Calculation
Consider a child aged 7 in income group 4 of the Düsseldorf Table. The needs rate is 609 euros. After deducting the half child benefit offset of 125 euros, the payment amount is 484 euros per month.
For a child aged 15 in the same income group, the needs rate is 712 euros. After the 125-euro deduction, the payment is 587 euros. The older child costs more because the needs rate is higher, but the offset amount remains the same 125 euros regardless of age.
For two children (ages 5 and 10) in income group 3, the needs rates are 530 and 609 euros respectively. The payment amounts are 405 and 484 euros. The total monthly support obligation is 889 euros. Without the offset, it would be 1,139 euros. The offset saves the obligor 250 euros per month across both children.
Full Offset for Adult Children
For children aged 18 and older who are still entitled to support (typically because they are in education), the full child benefit of 250 euros is offset against the support obligation. This is because both parents are now proportionally liable for cash support, and the full child benefit is considered to reduce the overall need.
For example, a 19-year-old university student in income group 5 has a needs rate of 860 euros. After deducting the full 250-euro child benefit, the payment amount is 610 euros. This total is then divided between both parents in proportion to their respective incomes, after deducting their own self-retention amounts.
Common Misconceptions
One widespread misconception is that the obligor can deduct the full 250 euros from their payment even for minor children. This is incorrect. For minors, only half (125 euros) is deducted. The other half belongs to the custodial parent's side of the equation.
Another common error is believing that the child benefit is paid on top of the support amount. In reality, the child benefit is already factored into the calculation through the offset mechanism. The needs rate already represents the child's total need, and the child benefit reduces how much of that need the obligor must cover.
A third misconception concerns cases where the custodial parent does not actually receive the child benefit (for example, because they have not applied for it). Even in such cases, the offset still applies. The obligor's payment is reduced by the half-offset regardless of whether the custodial parent has actually claimed the Kindergeld. Courts expect the custodial parent to apply for and receive the benefit.