Overview
- From 1 January 2026, the monthly Kindergeld rises to €259 per child, up €4 from 2025, as confirmed by the Federal Finance Ministry.
- The child tax allowance (Kinderfreibetrag) increases to €9,756 per child in 2026 (€4,878 per parent when jointly assessed), composed of €3,414 for the child’s subsistence and €1,464 for care, education and training per parent.
- The means‑tested Kinderzuschlag, in place since 1 January 2025, provides up to €297 per child monthly for low‑income families, with minimum gross income thresholds of €900 for couples and €600 for single parents and no concurrent Bürgergeld.
- The Bundesagentur für Arbeit has published 2025/2026 Kindergeld payout calendars, with payments staggered by the final digit of the Kindergeld number and possible bank‑posting shifts around weekends and holidays.
- Kinderzuschlag awards run for six months with a simplified renewal via Kurzantrag, while Kindergeld can be paid retroactively for up to six months to the entitled person.