More child benefit & co. for families: changes in 2026
There is also good news for families in 2026: child benefit will increase from 255 euros to 259 euros per month per child, and the tax credit will be Child allowance increases to 9,756 euros. In addition, the minimum wage will rise to 13.90 euros. and thus also the earnings limit for mini-jobs.
These legal changes will apply from January 1, 2026:
Child benefit is a central component of family support
Child benefit is one of the most important benefits for families in Germany and is paid regardless of income. It helps parents to cover the costs of their children and provides a basic monthly allowance that is paid regardless of the parents' financial situation.
How much will child benefit be in 2026?
From January 1, 2026, child benefit will increase by 4 euros from 255 euros to 259 euros per month for each child. The adjustment will take place automatically without parents having to take action.
The maximum monthly amount of the child supplement remains at 297 euros per child.
Who is entitled to child benefit?
Anyone who lives in Germany and is subject to unlimited income tax liability is entitled to child benefit in accordance with sections 62 et seq. of the German Income Tax Act (EStG). For families, this is a reliable contribution to covering current expenses.
Which children are entitled to child benefit?
Child benefit is generally available:
- for all children up to the age of 18,
- for children who are in education up to the age of 25,
- and for unemployed children up to the age of 21.
If a child is unable to start or continue training due to a lack of a training place, he or she is still considered to be in training and remains included in the entitlement period.
Who receives child benefit?
Child benefit is paid to the person who looks after the child. If the child lives with both parents, they can decide which of them should receive the child benefit.
Parents who live abroad and are not subject to unlimited tax liability in Germany can also receive child benefit under certain conditions, for example if they are subject to compulsory insurance with the Federal Employment Agency or carry out certain activities abroad.
Application for and payment of child benefit
The application is usually straightforward and can be made online, so families can receive support quickly. Orphans or children who do not know their parents have the option of applying for child benefit themselves.
Further information on applying for child benefit can be found on the family portal of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.
Child benefit is paid out by the family benefit offices at the employment agencies.
Further information on applying for child benefit can be found on the family portal of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.
From the 2026/27 school year, children in first grade will be entitled to all-day care. Read now"All-day care law: what parents should know"
Child allowances and tax relief for families
The child allowance offers tax relief for families. As part of the income tax assessment, the tax office automatically checks whether the child allowance or child benefit is the more favorable option.
Parents do not need to apply for this separately.
The tax-free allowances are particularly attractive for parents with higher incomes, as they reduce the tax burden. The tax office automatically takes into account the amount that is more favorable for the family, which means that either the child benefit or the tax allowance is used.
How high is the child allowance?
From January 1, 2026, the child allowance will also increase to €6,828 (€3,414 per parent).
The allowance for childcare, education, and training remains unchanged at €2,928 (€1,464 per parent).
This results in an overall increase in the child allowance from €9,600 in 2025 to a total of €9,756 per child ( €4,878 per parent) in 2026.
Invoice for both parents:€6,828 child allowance + €2,928 allowance for childcare, education, and training =€9,756 total child allowance.
Is there an age limit for child allowances?
The age limits for the allowance are identical to those for child benefit.
Increasing the minimum wage and raising the mini-job earnings threshold
From January 2026, the monthly earnings limit for mini-jobs in Germany will be raised to 603 euros. This corresponds to 7,236 euros per year.
This change goes hand in hand with the increase in the minimum wage to 13.90 euros per hour.
Further information on the current changes for mini-jobs can be found on the Minijob-Zentrale website.
Maternity protection, child benefit & co.: the pme parent advice service
Our parent counselors support parents in all matters from pregnancy to the child's adulthood.
Personal and confidential: We are there for you online, by phone and on site. You can find more information on the pme parent counseling page.
