How much is Kinderzuschlag?
Up to €297 per child per month, according to the Federal Government’s family portal, which states this value as applying from 1 January 2025 and which includes a €25 supplement. Important to know: this figure does not appear in the law. § 6a BKGG only provides that the maximum amount, together with Kindergeld, covers ‘one twelfth of a child’s material minimum subsistence level to be kept tax-free’, plus €25. Because this reference value is updated annually, the amount changes along with it – so have the value applicable to your period confirmed by the Familienkasse.
How much must I earn?
There is a lower and an upper limit. At the lower end, you must earn at least €900 gross a month, or as a single parent €600. What matters is the average of the last six months before the application, so a single weak month does not do any harm. At the upper end, the entitlement ends where your income is so high that the calculation reduces the supplement to zero – this limit depends on housing costs and the number of children and cannot be stated as a flat figure. Use the KiZ-Lotse for this.
Can I apply for the Kinderzuschlag retroactively?
No, and this is the costliest misconception about this benefit. The approval period begins with the month of submitting the application; nothing is paid for the time before that. The comparison with Kindergeld is particularly treacherous, as it comes from the same Familienkasse and is paid retrospectively for six months. This rule expressly does not apply to Kinderzuschlag. It is therefore better to submit the application incomplete within the current month and provide the documents afterwards.
How long does the approval last?
Six months. § 6a BKGG expressly provides that a decision on the total Kinderzuschlag must be made ‘for six months at a time’. After that, a new application is required; approval does not renew automatically. Since the renewal application does not have retrospective effect either, you should remind yourself in the fifth month – otherwise a gap arises that can no longer be closed.
What are the education and participation benefits?
An independent entitlement under § 6b BKGG that arises on receipt of Kinderzuschlag: school supplies, communal lunches at school and Kita (child daycare centre), outings and class trips, learning support, and a monthly amount for sport, culture and leisure. Over the course of a year, this is worth more to many families than the supplement itself. Note: these benefits must be applied for separately, usually at the local authority – they do not come automatically with the notice.
Does my child's income count?
Yes, and it reduces Kinderzuschlag. This includes maintenance payments, maintenance advance, orphan's pension and training remuneration. These amounts must be declared, even if they are small. If a child's income is concealed and later comes to light, the Familienkasse claims back the overpaid amount for the entire approval period – that is, for up to six months at once.
Which is better — Kinderzuschlag or Grundsicherungsgeld?
That depends on income, and you cannot have both at the same time. Kinderzuschlag is intended for households that cover their own needs through earned income, but not additionally those of the children. Anyone who does not reach the minimum income of €900 or €600 is referred to Grundsicherungsgeld at the Jobcenter. In the course of the procedure, the Familienkasse also checks whether Kinderzuschlag is sufficient to avoid need for assistance – if it is not, it points this out.
Do I receive Kindergeld in addition?
Yes. Kinderzuschlag is on top of Kindergeld, it does not replace it. Both are paid by the Familienkasse, but follow different rules: Kindergeld currently amounts to €259 per child, is independent of income and is paid up to six months retrospectively. Kinderzuschlag is income-dependent, is approved in six-month blocks and has no retrospective effect. The fact that both come from the same body regularly tempts people into applying the rules of one to the other.
