Overview

• From January 1, 2026, parents will receive €259 per child per month, a €4 increase over 2025.
• The change amounts to €48 more per child over the year compared with the 2025 level.
• The child tax allowance would rise to €6,828 in 2026, and tax offices apply whichever is more advantageous for filers between the allowance and Kindergeld.
• The measures are part of a broader tax and family policy package that would reduce Länder revenues by roughly €5.4 billion annually and still needs Bundesrat consent.
• Monthly payments continue via the Familienkasse of the Federal Employment Agency, with 2026 payout dates staggered by the last digit of the Kindergeld number.