Frequently asked questions

Answers to the questions we are asked most often.

• Can I still get Kindergeld for past months?

  Yes, but only for a limited period. The Familienkasse pays at most 6 months backdated, counted from the month your application arrives there (§ 70 para. 1 sentence 2 EStG). So apply as early as you can.

• How much Kindergeld is paid per child?

  The Familienkasse pays 259 euros per month for each child (§ 66 para. 1 EStG). The amount is the same for every child — it makes no difference whether it is your first child or your fourth.

• Who is entitled to Kindergeld in the first place?

  In short: parents who live or work in Germany and whose child lives with them. For the child, age decides: always up to 18, and after that only while they are at school, at university or in vocational training — and only up to their 25th birthday (§ 32 para. 4 sentence 1 no. 2 EStG).

• We already receive a family benefit from another country. Does this still work?

  Usually yes. If you already receive money for a child from another EU country, Germany tops it up to the German amount. The Familienkasse works this out separately for each child — that is why the quick check asks for the amount per child rather than the total for the whole family.

• How long does it take until the money arrives?

  That is up to the Familienkasse, not us, and processing times differ from place to place. What helps most is an application that is complete from the start: if a document is missing, the Familienkasse writes back and you wait all over again.

• What does this service cost?

  The quick check costs nothing and needs no account. If you want us to prepare your application, you create an account first. You see what that costs beforehand — no invoice turns up that you were not expecting.

• What happens to my data?

  The quick check runs directly on your device. As long as you have no account, none of your answers leave the browser. Only once you create an account do we store your details for you. We do not pass them on to third parties, and you can delete your account at any time.

• Which languages can I use this in?

  Right now German, English and Romanian. Polish, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, Hungarian and Turkish are planned. The Familienkasse's own form is in German — we fill it in in German and explain every field to you in your language.

• What if the application is refused?

  A refusal is an official decision from the Familienkasse. It states why they said no, and the end of the letter states which options you have and by when. Read that last paragraph — it is called the Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung. We cannot judge whether it is worth it in your case; ask an advice centre or a lawyer about that.

Estimate, not binding. We do not assess individual cases and give no legal or tax advice. The Familienkasse decides on your application.