However, the previously announced “Kinderstartgeld” payment for families in Bavaria has been canceled. An overview of the key changes is presented below.
Navigating the various state support measures for families—child benefits, tax deductions, and additional allowances—is no simple task. Here are the primary changes for 2026 that parents need to know.
Child Benefit Rises to €259 Per Month
The amount of child benefit (Kindergeld) will increase from €255 to €259 per month next year. This adjustment is linked to the rising cost of living. Specific payment dates depend on the last digit of the insurance account number. Information can be verified via bank statements or on the Federal Employment Agency website.
Increase in Child Tax Allowances
The child tax allowance (Kinderfreibetrag) will also increase. These allowances reduce parents’ taxable income, thereby lowering their overall tax burden. From January 2026, the allowance per child will be €6,828. Including the unchanged allowance for care, upbringing, and education, the total tax-free amount per child will reach €9,756 (up from €9,600).
The tax office determines which option is more advantageous for parents: using the tax allowance or receiving the monthly child benefit. Generally, the tax allowance is only beneficial for those with higher income levels.
Child Supplement: Joint Application with Housing Benefit
Low-income families will retain their right to additional support in 2026, specifically benefits for education and social participation, as well as the child supplement (Kinderzuschlag). The maximum amount for the latter remains at €297 per month. In 2026, the government plans to introduce a unified application process for both the child supplement and housing benefit (Wohngeld), which previously required two separate applications to different authorities.
Bavaria Cancels “Kinderstartgeld” Payment
The Bavarian government had originally planned to pay families in the region a one-time “start-up” payment of €3,000 for the first child born after January 1, 2025, to be paid on the child’s first birthday. The first payments were scheduled for January 1, 2026, but the project has been canceled. Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) stated that these funds would be redirected “immediately and in full” toward creating childcare spots in kindergartens.
15 Child Sick-Leave Days Per Parent Retained
In 2026, parents who must stay home to care for a sick child will retain the right to 15 paid “child sick days” per child. For single parents, this period is 30 days. Families with multiple children are entitled to a maximum of 35 days per parent, while the limit for single parents is set at 70 days. In most cases, the payout for these days amounts to 90 percent of net wages.
How families in Germany receive financial support?
Families with children in Germany receive financial support through several types of benefits and allowances:
- Elterngeld (Parental Allowance) is available to all parents who stop working or reduce their working hours after the birth of a child to compensate for the loss of income. Payments are subject to specific income limits. Parents must choose between two options: Basic Parental Allowance or Parental Allowance Plus. Additionally, it is possible to apply for a partnership bonus.
- Kindergeld (Child Benefit) is granted to parents for each child from birth until the age of 18. This can be extended to age 25 if the child is a student or until age 21 if they are registered as unemployed. This benefit is paid regardless of the household income.
- As an alternative to child benefit, parents can utilize child tax allowances. The tax office determines which option is more financially advantageous for the family. These allowances are designed to ensure that the minimum subsistence level for children remains tax-free. The same age limits apply as those for the child benefit.
- Single parents receive additional support through a specific tax relief allowance.
- Unterhaltsvorschuss (Maintenance Advance) is provided to single parents who do not receive child support payments from the other parent.
- Maternity benefit is paid by health insurance providers during the maternity protection period, which typically spans six weeks before and eight weeks after childbirth. This period is extended in cases of multiple or premature births. If a mother is medically certified as unable to work before or after the maternity protection period, she receives her full salary from her employer as maternity pay.
- Child supplements help working parents whose income does not fully cover or barely covers the needs of the entire family.
- Individuals receiving child supplements, housing benefits, or citizen’s benefits are also entitled to education and participation benefits. These include non-cash and cash benefits for items such as school supplies, school trips, or tutoring. Recipients can also apply for an exemption from daycare fees.
- The Mother and Child Federal Foundation provides assistance to pregnant women in financial distress. This aid includes funds for initial baby equipment, childcare, or continuing to run the household.
- Family members without a regular income can be covered under family insurance within the statutory health insurance system without paying separate premiums. This applies to children until age 18, until age 23 if not employed, or until age 25 if they are in education or vocational training.
- In addition to specific family and child benefits, individuals may also apply for other social benefits, such as unemployment benefits, housing assistance, or social assistance, provided they meet the necessary criteria.
The Free State of Bavaria provides extra support for families with children born before January 1, 2025, through the Bavarian Family Allowance and subsidies for daycare centers. The Bavarian Mother and Child Foundation specifically assists pregnant women, large families, and single parents in need when state benefits are insufficient.
Finally, a comprehensive overview of state family benefits can be found on the Family Portal of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs.
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