What Kinderzuschlag is
Kinderzuschlag, usually shortened to KiZ and sometimes translated as "child supplement", is a federal benefit for parents who earn enough to support themselves but not quite enough to cover their children's needs as well. It is paid by the Familienkasse, the same office that handles Kindergeld, and on the same payment dateFamilienkasse: Kinderzuschlag – Anspruch, Höhe, Dauer.
Many newcomers assume it comes automatically with Kindergeld. It does not. KiZ has its own application, its own conditions and its own six-month approval cycle. If you only filed for Kindergeld, you are not receiving KiZ, even if you would qualify.
The legal basis is section 6a of the Federal Child Benefit Act (BKGG)§ 6a Bundeskindergeldgesetz: Kinderzuschlag. The idea is simple: rather than pushing working families into the basic income support system, the state tops up their income per child.
How much you can get in 2026
Item | 2026 figure |
|---|---|
Maximum KiZ | up to €297 per child per month, including a €25 immediate supplement |
Kindergeld | €259 per child per month |
KiZ plus Kindergeld | up to €556 per child per month |
Minimum gross income | €900 for couples, €600 for single parents |
Approval period | six months |
Significant assets | above €55,000 for two people, plus €15,000 per additional person |
The €297 maximum has applied since January 2025 and still applies in 2026Familienkasse: Kinderzuschlag – Anspruch, Höhe, Dauer. Kindergeld is €259 per childFamilienkasse: Kindergeld – Anspruch, Höhe und Antrag. The actual KiZ amount is calculated per child and depends on your income, your rent and heating costs, family size and any income the child has. For a quick estimate in English, use our Kinderzuschlag calculator.
Who qualifies
All of these conditions must be met at the same time§ 6a Bundeskindergeldgesetz: KinderzuschlagFamilienkasse: Kinderzuschlag – Anspruch, Höhe, Dauer:
Your child lives in your household, is under 25, and is not married or in a civil partnership.
You are entitled to Kindergeld (or a comparable benefit) for that child.
Your gross monthly household income is at least €900 as a couple or €600 as a single parent. Kindergeld, KiZ and housing benefit do not count towards this minimum.
With your income, KiZ and, where relevant, housing benefit, your family does not need basic income support.
Because Kindergeld entitlement is a precondition, your residence status matters indirectly. EU citizens working in Germany are usually entitled to Kindergeld; for non-EU nationals it depends on the type of residence permit. If you are unsure, check the Kindergeld guide first.
There is also an "extended access" rule. If your family would fall short of its needs by no more than €100 a month, KiZ can still be paid, provided earned income produces deductible allowances of at least €100 and nobody in the household receives or has applied for basic income support§ 6a Bundeskindergeldgesetz: Kinderzuschlag.
How the amount is calculated
There is no fixed upper income limit. Instead, the Familienkasse works per family§ 6a Bundeskindergeldgesetz: Kinderzuschlag:
Each child starts at €297. The child's own income, such as maintenance payments from the other parent, reduces that figure by 45 percent of the amount counted.
The child amounts are added up.
If the parents' income does not exceed their own needs (standard needs plus a share of housing costs), the full total is paid.
If parental earnings exceed those needs, the total falls by 45 percent of the excess. Other parental income, such as unemployment benefit, reduces it in full.
**Example:** A couple with two children and no child income could receive up to €594. If their adjusted earnings are €300 above their own needs, KiZ falls by €135 (45 percent of €300) to €459 a month. As a rule of thumb, without child income KiZ only runs out when earnings exceed parental needs by roughly €660 per child. Treat this as orientation, not a promise.
The income that counts is the average of the six months before the approval period starts§ 6a Bundeskindergeldgesetz: Kinderzuschlag. If you apply in March 2026, the approval covers March to August, and the income from September 2025 to February 2026 is used.
Does Kinderzuschlag affect your visa or residence permit?
This is a real worry for many expats, especially those planning to apply for permanent residence or to bring family members over. German residence law generally requires that you can support yourself without public funds. However, section 2(3) of the Residence Act explicitly states that receiving Kindergeld and Kinderzuschlag does not count as using public funds§ 2 Aufenthaltsgesetz: Begriffsbestimmungen (öffentliche Mittel).
Housing benefit (Wohngeld) is not on that list, and basic income support certainly counts. So a family receiving only Kindergeld and KiZ is in a different position from one that also claims Wohngeld or basic income support. If a permit renewal or a Blue Card application is coming up, ask the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) or an independent advice service how your specific mix of benefits will be assessed.
How to apply, step by step
You can apply online or on paper to the Familienkasse. The online route is called "Kinderzuschlag Digital". With a BundID account you can submit everything electronically, with no printing and no signatureFamilienkasse: Kinderzuschlag – Merkblätter und Formulare. Good news for expats: the official forms are also available in English, Turkish and ArabicFamilienkasse: Kinderzuschlag – Merkblätter und Formulare.
Check your likely eligibility with the Familienkasse's KiZ-Lotse tool and have your Kindergeld number ready.
Fill in the main form KiZ 1 and the annex for applicant and partner (KiZ 1-AnA).
Complete one "Anlage Kind" (KiZ 1-AnK) for each child.
Add payslips covering six months (or form KiZ 5 from your employer), your rental contract and heating costs, and proof of savings.
Submit within the current month. Missing documents can be sent later, so do not wait for them.
Keep the confirmation and note when the six months end.
Self-employed parents use annex KiZ 5a, and separated parents who receive no maintenance use KiZ 5cFamilienkasse: Kinderzuschlag – Merkblätter und Formulare.
After approval: renewals and extra benefits
KiZ is never paid for months before your applicationFamilienkasse: Kinderzuschlag – Anspruch, Höhe, Dauer. If processing takes a while, you lose nothing: the amounts owed are paid retroactively at the next payment date. After six months the payment simply stops, so file the renewal application in the final month. If nothing important has changed, you may use the short form KiZ 1-K, but only alternating with the full formFamilienkasse: Kinderzuschlag – Merkblätter und Formulare.
Receiving KiZ also unlocks the education and participation package (Bildung und Teilhabe) for children under 25 attending day care or school: a school supplies allowance paid in February and August, free lunches at school or day care, €15 a month for sports clubs or music lessons, and support for trips and transportBundesagentur für Arbeit: Leistungen für Bildung und Teilhabe. You apply for these through your city or municipality, not the Familienkasse. Many families can also be exempted from day-care fees through the local youth welfare office (Jugendamt)Familienkasse: Kinderzuschlag – Anspruch, Höhe, Dauer.
KiZ alone does not exempt you from the TV and radio licence fee. Read our broadcasting fee guide to see which benefits do.
Kinderzuschlag, housing benefit and basic income support
KiZ and housing benefit are designed to work together and are often claimed side by side, but through different offices. If both together still do not cover your needs, you can claim basic income support from the Jobcenter, where KiZ counts as incomeFamilienkasse: Kinderzuschlag – Anspruch, Höhe, Dauer. Since 1 July 2026, the former Bürgergeld has been called Grundsicherungsgeld, although some letters may still use the old name for a whileBundesagentur für Arbeit: Übergang zur neuen Grundsicherung. See our Bürgergeld guide for details, or use the benefits finder to see which combinations may apply to you.
Common mistakes
Waiting for every document before applying, and losing a month of KiZ.
Sending only the latest payslip instead of six months.
Forgetting maintenance or other income of the child.
Missing the renewal after six months.
Not reporting changes such as a move, a new partner or a child moving out.
Information current as of 6 November 2026.
