Single-parent benefits in Germany: Check what you can claim | Profee [Entrar](/pt/auth/login) [Cadastrar-se](/pt/auth/registration) Português * * * * * [Visit our website](https://www.profee.com) Profee * [Blog](/pt/articles) * [Life in Europe](/pt/article-categories/life-in-europe) * [Germany](/pt/article-categories/living-in-germany) * Single-parent benefits in Germany: Check what you can claim # Single-parent benefits in Germany: Check what you can claim [Life in Europe](/pt/article-categories/life-in-europe)[Germany](/pt/article-categories/living-in-germany) [Theo Miller](/pt/authors/theo-miller) May 29, 2026 7 minutes As a single parent in Germany, you can claim more benefits than you may think: Kindergeld, Elterngeld, tax relief, and so much more. The country makes sure you have enough financial support to provide your child with everything they need. Explore what you are entitled to in 2026 in this guide. [## Make sure you’re eligible for benefits](#eligibility)[## Start with the basics: Kindergeld](#kindergeld)[## Get more when the other parent isn’t paying: Unterhaltsvorschuss](#unterhaltsvorschuss)[## Enjoy your time off work: Elterngeld](#elterngeld)[## Stay home when your child gets sick: Kinderkrankengeld](#kinderkrankengeld)[## Keep more of your paycheck: Tax relief and child tax allowence](#tax)[## Low and middle-income households: More benefits](#lowincome) ## Make sure you’re eligible for benefits EU or German citizens are fully eligible if they live in Germany with a child, have an officially registered address (Anmeldung), and either work, are self-employed or are actively integrated into the system. Expat-parents have a couple of nuances: their eligibility criteria depend on the type of residence permit. If your resident permit allows you to stay in Germany long-term and work, you can apply for most benefits. When visas are temporary or prohibit work, you’ll likely face a rejection. To give you an idea: **Eligible:** * Permanent settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) * EU Blue Card * Skilled Worker Visas (baseline support like Kindergeld and Elterngeld) **Not eligible:** * Student visa * Job-seeker visa * Language course visa These are the basic eligibility criteria, but keep in mind that each benefit has its own requirements, like income thresholds, work status, and so on, and they also may change over time. Always double-check the official information. _“I have great respect for the achievements that single parents accomplish every day \[…\] Supporting single parents in their diverse family tasks is an important contribution to equal opportunity and participation.” –_ _[Irene Alt](https://mffki.rlp.de/fileadmin/07/Dokumente/Publikationen/Familie/Broschuere_Alleinerziehend_Management_von_Familie_und_Beruf.pdf), former Minister for Family Affairs, Rhineland-Palatinate._ ## Start with the basics: Kindergeld [Kindergeld](https://www.profee.com/articles/german-kindergeld-guide-application-eligibility) (child benefit) is a monthly payment of [259 EUR](https://familienportal.de/familienportal/meta/languages/family-benefits) that covers the basic needs of your child (as of 2026, subject to change). The amount is the same no matter how much you earn – everyone gets 259 EUR. In 2027, the amount may be updated, so keep an eye on the news. The payments continue until your child turns 18 years old. Or 21 when they are unemployed. Or 25 if they are studying. The earlier you submit the application, the better. Kindergeld can be paid retroactively only for six months: if you apply in the 8th month of your child’s life, you’ll miss payments for the first two months. If you apply in the 13th month, you completely miss the payments for the first 6 months. Applications are handled through your local Familienkasse (submit [form KG1](https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/familie-und-kinder/downloads-familie-und-kinder/formulare-kindergeld)) or online via the [Bundesagentur für Arbeit website](https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/). The benefit is sent directly to your bank account. Kindergeld monthly amount in 2026 is 259 EUR ## Get more when the other parent isn’t paying: Unterhaltsvorschuss [Unterhaltsvorschuss](https://familienportal.de/familienportal/familienleistungen/unterhaltsvorschuss) (maintenance advance payment) is a form of financial support from the state when the other parent fails to pay at all or pays too little. In such cases, Germany takes responsibility for protecting your single-parent household.   The amount of the maintenance advance increases as your child grows. [In 2026, the benefit is](https://www.chemnitz.de/de/aktuell/presse/pressemitteilungen/detail/unterhaltsvorschuss-keine-veraenderung-in-2026): * 227 EUR for children up to 5 years old * 299 EUR for ages 6 to 11 * 394 EUR for ages 12 to 17 To apply, visit the [Jugendamt (Youth Welfare Office)](https://handbookgermany.de/en/youth-welfare-office) in your district. You can also apply on [Unterhaltsvorschuss Online portal](https://www.unterhaltsvorschuss-online.de/english/) in some cities. The payments are sent to you directly each month, and you don’t have to contact the other parent at all – the officials take on the burden of collecting the debt. ## Enjoy your time off work: Elterngeld [Elterngeld](https://www.profee.com/articles/elterngeld-guide) is financial support you receive when leaving work to raise a child. You don't have to quit; you just must work fewer hours per week to qualify. The amount to be paid equals 65-67% of your net income, but no more than 1,800 EUR and no less than 300 EUR (as of 2026, may change). You may apply for Basiselterngeld and ElterngeldPlus and claim the Partnership bonus. Yes, even without having a partner. * **Basiselterngeld:** 14 months of 300-1,800 EUR payments * **ElterngeldPlus:** 28 months of 150-900 EUR payments _(same as Basiselterngeld, but make it longer)_ * **Partnerships bonus:** extra 2-4 months of payments if you work part-time up to 32 hours per week You can mix and match the parental allowance plans as you wish.   Important: You should earn less than 175,000 EUR per year to get the benefit, it’s an official income threshold for Elterngeld. ## Stay home when your child gets sick: Kinderkrankengeld Single parents in Germany can take up to [30 days off per year](https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/themen/praevention/kindergesundheit/faq-kinderkrankengeld) to take care of their sick child under 12 years old. For those with several children, the period grows to 70 days. The benefit pays up to 90% of the income you’ve lost while being away from work. However, you must have statutory health insurance to claim the payment – parents without insurance don’t qualify. Unterhaltsvorschuss are up to 394 EUR in 2026 ## Keep more of your paycheck: Tax relief and child tax allowence In 2026, the **[tax relief for single parents](https://familienportal.de/familienportal/familienleistungen/steuerentlastungen/was-ist-der-entlastungsbetrag-fuer-alleinerziehende-und-wie-werden-kinderfreibetraege-bei-nicht-verheirateten-eltern-aufgeteilt--125202)** allows you to exclude 4,260 EUR from your taxable income each year for your first child, plus an extra 240 EUR for each additional child. Switch to [Tax Class II](https://parakar.eu/knowledge/de/tax-classes-germany) at the tax office to be eligible for the benefit, as other classes don’t count. At the same time, the **[child tax allowance](https://familienportal.de/familienportal/familienleistungen/steuerentlastungen/was-sind-freibetraege-fuer-kinder--125198)** equals 3,414 EUR for single parents and is a separate benefit. It’s basically a part of your income that the state ignores when counting your taxable income. In total, you can save up to  **[9,060 EUR](https://handbookgermany.de/en/child-benefit)** on taxes if you raise one child alone. _Federal Minister for Family Affairs [Lisa Paus emphasised](https://familiennetz-bremen.de/en/new-family-report-one-in-five-families-is-single-or-separated/): ‘I still believe targeted support for single parents is necessary, for example through a tax credit. This should also be a goal of a future federal government.’_ ## Low and middle-income households: More benefits If your salary isn’t high enough to cover rent, food and other basic costs, means-tested benefits like Kinderzuschlag ([up to 297 EUR](https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/familie-und-kinder/kinderzuschlag-verstehen/kinderzuschlag-anspruch-hoehe-dauer)) and Wohngeld ([370 EUR on average](https://www.bmwsb.bund.de/DE/wohnen/wohngeld/wohngeld-plus/wohngeld-plus_node.html#entry_akkordeon_66036_53600)) are designed to help. Benefits are called means-tested because to qualify, you must prove that your income and possessions fall in the required limits (different for each support type). Keep in mind: Receiving one benefit might reduce the payout of another, as they balance each other out without overlapping. ### The child supplement If you are working but still need financial support, you may apply for the [Kinderzuschlag](https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/familie-und-kinder/kinderzuschlag) (child supplement) and receive up to 297 EUR per child on a monthly basis in 2026. To get the Kinderzuschlag, you need to earn more than 600 EUR gross per month and receive Kindergeld. If your application is successful, you can also claim the "[Bildungs- und Teilhabepaket](https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/familie-und-kinder/informationen-zum-bildungspaket)" that covers your child’s school classes, lunches and more. **[Check our full Kinderzuschlag guide here.](https://www.profee.com/articles/kinderzuschlag-guide)** ### Extra layers of security and housing assistance Bürgergeld and Wohngeld are aimed to support you when you lose your job or your earnings drop. * **Bürgergeld (basic income support, formerly Hartz IV):** If your income drops too low (income threshold is calculated individually), Bürgergeld provides money to secure your daily living. In 2026, the basic amount is [563 EUR per month](https://lohntastik.de/blog/buergergeld_2026/citizens_benefit_payment_dates_2026). But as a single parent in Germany, you automatically receive more for each child. On top of that, the state covers your rent and heating costs. * **Wohngeld (housing benefit):** What if you earn a little too much for basic welfare, but rent is still a major monthly struggle? That is exactly where Wohngeld comes in with an average monthly payment of [370 EUR](https://www.bmwsb.bund.de/DE/wohnen/wohngeld/wohngeld-plus/wohngeld-plus_node.html#entry_akkordeon_66036_53600). It is a monthly housing benefit designed to help working families afford their apartments. Just keep in mind that you cannot receive a housing benefit and Bürgergeld at the same time. **Housing benefit rules are a bit confusing, but we’ve explained them all in our [Wohngeld guide](https://www.profee.com/articles/wohngeld-guide).** ### Who qualifies for the child benefit in Germany? German citizens, EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, and non-EU citizens holding a long-term resident permit that allows them to work. ### Can foreigners receive Kindergeld? Yes, as long as they and their child live in Germany and their residence permit allows long-term work. ### What is the difference between child benefit and child allowance in Germany? Kindergeld (child benefit) is a direct monthly cash payout. The Kinderfreibetrag (child tax allowance) is a deduction that lowers your taxable income. ### What is the single-parent rate in Germany? [According to the Family Report](https://www.bmbfsfj.bund.de/bmbfsfj/service/publikationen/zehnter-familienbericht-254310), one in five families in Germany is a single-parent household. ### Does Germany provide free childcare? Childcare is not universally free nationwide, as fees are managed by individual states and cities (for instance, Berlin and Hamburg offer completely free basic daycare). However, if you are a low-income family receiving benefits like Bürgergeld or the child supplement, the local Youth Welfare Office will typically reduce or completely waive your daycare and after-school fees. Trademarks, logos and other graphic or text elements are owned by the respective right holders. We do not promote third-party brands but provide introductory information only. All the facts mentioned in the article are valid on May 29, 2026 – discover the current Profee terms we are offering you right now [here](/pt/send-money). ## How much does it cost to have a baby in Germany Planning a family in Germany? Learn about maternity costs, insurance coverage, public vs private clinics, and what to expect before and after birth. The Profee Team Jun 30, 2025 7 minutes ## Beyond Kindergeld: What benefits you can claim as a family in Germany Explore all the benefits you can claim as a family: Kinderzuschlag, Elterngeld, Geschwisterbonus, Wohngeld, tax reliefs, parental leaves and others. 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