Funding for Families

Child Benefit (Kindergeld)

Citizens of the EU/ EEA:
Citizens of the EU as well as EEA countries and Switzerland can receive Kindergeld if they live permanently in Germany. Employees with a contract for services who have been sent from their employer located abroad for temporary provision of services do not have a claim to Kindergeld.

Non-EU Citizens:
Foreigners living permanently in Germany can receive Kindergeld if they have a permit for settlement (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) with the purpose of gainful employment.

You must apply for the Kindergeld at the appropriate family insurance fund (Familienkasse). That is primarily the Agentur für Arbeit (Stadt) - Familienkasse -, in whose district you live or normally stay. (For those affiliated with public services and for recipients of benefits, the appropriate family insurance fund is usually the one concerned with payment regulations of the respective public-law employer. Members of the public service can turn to their own appropriate family insurance fund.)

Child-Rearing Allowance (Erziehungsgeld)

The longest Erziehungsgeld lasts is up until the end of the child's second year. Parents with no or a small income can receive Erziehungsgeld.

For example: for the first six months, the income ceiling for married couples with one child who continually do not live apart is an annual income of 30,000 Euro.
You can apply for Erziehungsgeld at the Erziehungsgeldstellen.

Further information

For further information concerning family allowances, please EURAXESS - Benefits for families.