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Applying for Child Supplement: Who, Where and How?

You apply for Child Supplement (Kinderzuschlag, KiZ) at the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) – the easiest way is online at web.arbeitsagentur.de/kiz. You get it if you work but earn little: up to €297 per child per month (as of 2026), on top of Child Benefit (Kindergeld). The requirements are a minimum income of €900 gross (parent couples) or €600 gross (single parents), and entitlement to Child Benefit. The supplement is not paid automatically – you have to apply for it yourself.

As of: 25.07.2026 · HalloAmt editorial team · General information, not legal advice (see note at the end).

Is the application too complicated for you, or hard to understand in German? The HalloAmt assistant goes through the questions with you in your language – it understands over 50 languages – and creates the finished PDF at the end. Start now →

Important to know first: Child Supplement requires entitlement to Child Benefit (Kindergeld). If you don't yet receive Child Benefit, apply for it first – see how in our guide Applying for Child Benefit: Where, How and When?.

I earn little and have two children – can I get Child Supplement?

Yes, very likely – that's exactly what Child Supplement is for. It's aimed at families who live on their work income, but whose income isn't quite enough for the children. The goal is that you don't have to rely on Citizen's Allowance (Bürgergeld).

For two children, this can add up to €594 per month extra (2 × €297). Whether and how much you're entitled to depends on your income, your rent, and the number of children. Check this in advance for free with the Familienkasse's KiZ-Lotse (Child Supplement guide tool) – it only takes a few minutes and tells you whether an application is worthwhile.

Who is entitled to Child Supplement?

You can apply for Child Supplement if all four of these points apply to you:

  • You receive Child Benefit (Kindergeld) for the child (or are entitled to it). The child is under 25 years old, unmarried, and lives in your household.
  • Your gross income reaches the minimum limit: €900 (couples) or €600 (single parents) per month. Anyone who lives solely on social benefits is not entitled.
  • Your income is not too high – otherwise the supplement drops to zero.
  • Your income, together with Child Benefit, Child Supplement, and any Housing Benefit (Wohngeld), covers your family's needs.

Important lower limit: If, despite your income, Child Supplement, and Housing Benefit, you are still more than €100 short of your family's needs, you don't get Child Supplement. In that case, you must apply for Citizen's Allowance (Bürgergeld) at the Jobcenter instead, because the supplement alone isn't enough to live on. This isn't a worse solution – it's just the right option for your situation.

What exactly are the income limits?

There are two income thresholds:

WhoMinimum income (gross/month)
Parent couples€900
Single parents€600

Income counted here includes, for example, wages, unemployment benefit I (Arbeitslosengeld I), or sick pay (Krankengeld) – not including Housing Benefit and Child Benefit. There's no fixed upper limit: the more you earn, the smaller the supplement becomes, until entitlement ends. That's why it's worth using the KiZ-Lotse instead of calculating it yourself.

How much is Child Supplement – and how does it relate to Child Benefit?

Child Supplement is at most €297 per child per month (as of 2026). It comes on top of Child Benefit, which has been a uniform €259 per child per month since January 2026.

Depending on your income, the supplement can also be lower, for example €80, €100, or €200. A major advantage: with Child Supplement, you automatically qualify for education and participation benefits (Bildung und Teilhabe) – for example school supplies, free lunch at daycare and school, and subsidies for school trips and club membership fees.

How do I apply for Child Supplement – and how does the short application work online?

The application runs entirely online through the Familienkasse:

  1. Check your eligibility with the KiZ-Lotse at arbeitsagentur.de.
  2. Fill out the online application at web.arbeitsagentur.de/kiz. You provide information about yourself, your rent including utilities (Warmmiete), your income, and your savings.
  3. Submit it. With a BundID, you can send the application directly and digitally to the Familienkasse without printing or signing it. Without a BundID, you print out the application, sign it, and send it by post.

For many families, the short Child Supplement application (Kurzantrag Kinderzuschlag) is enough: a shortened form that's quicker to fill out than the full application. You enter the most important details; you upload proof documents such as pay slips, rental contract, and bank statements, or submit them later.

How often do I need to apply for Child Supplement?

Child Supplement is usually approved for 6 months. When this period ends, you submit a follow-up application (Weiterbewilligungsantrag) so payments continue – this can also be done online. If your income or rent changes significantly during the 6 months, the approved amount usually stays the same; but to be safe, report any major changes to the Familienkasse.

Residence status: Who from abroad gets Child Supplement

Child Supplement requires entitlement to Child Benefit (Kindergeld). That's why the same rules on residence status apply as for Child Benefit:

  • EU and EEA citizens (and Swiss citizens) are treated the same as German citizens – thanks to freedom of movement, you don't need a special residence permit. You must have your residence or habitual abode in Germany.
  • Non-EU citizens need a residence permit that entitles them to Child Benefit: usually a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or a residence permit that allows employment (i.e. with a work permit). Residence permits without labor market access usually don't qualify. Make sure to have your permit renewed in time – an expired permit can also put your Child Supplement at risk.
  • Recognized refugees and asylum beneficiaries (residence permit under § 25 para. 1 or para. 2 AufenthG) are entitled as soon as their permit is issued.

Additional documents for the application if you come from abroad:

  • Copy of your residence permit or freedom-of-movement certificate
  • Proof of address (registration certificate, Meldebescheinigung)

In addition, all applicants must submit:

  • Proof of income
  • Rental contract
  • Children's birth certificates

"I've been working for six months with a work permit, and money is tight"

If your residence permit entitles you to work and you therefore have entitlement to Child Benefit, you can apply for Child Supplement. What matters isn't how long you've been here, but that your permit establishes entitlement to Child Benefit and that you reach the minimum income (€900 for couples / €600 for single parents). If you haven't already, apply for Child Benefit first, then Child Supplement.

"I'm an EU citizen and have a mini-job"

As an EU citizen, you're treated the same as German citizens for Child Benefit and Child Supplement – your residence in Germany is enough. The catch is often the minimum income: a mini-job alone usually stays below the €900 limit for couples, and is also close to the €600 limit for single parents. So add up your total gross income (including your partner's) and check with the KiZ-Lotse whether you reach the limit. If you're below it, Citizen's Allowance (Bürgergeld) is more likely to apply instead of Child Supplement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I apply for Child Supplement (Kinderzuschlag)?

At the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) – the fastest way is online at web.arbeitsagentur.de/kiz. With a BundID, you can submit the application directly without a signature.

How much Child Supplement (Kinderzuschlag) is there in 2026?

A maximum of €297 per child per month (as of 2026), on top of the Child Benefit (Kindergeld) of €259 per child. The higher your income, the lower your Child Supplement.

What income limits apply?

Parents must earn at least €900 gross per month, single parents at least €600. At the upper end, entitlement ends when your income is so high that the supplement drops to zero.

How often do I need to apply for Child Supplement (Kinderzuschlag)?

Child Supplement is usually approved for 6 months. After that, you must submit a follow-up application (Weiterbewilligungsantrag) so payments continue.

Can I get Child Supplement as an EU citizen or with a work permit?

EU and EEA citizens are treated the same as German citizens. Non-EU citizens need a residence permit that entitles them to Child Benefit (Kindergeld). Entitlement to Child Benefit is always a requirement.

What does Child Supplement give me besides money?

With Child Supplement, you automatically qualify for education and participation benefits (Bildung und Teilhabe) – for example school supplies, free lunch at daycare and school, and subsidies for school trips.

Fill out the Child Supplement application now

You now know whether it's worth applying and what information you need. The HalloAmt assistant guides you through the Child Supplement application and its attachments in over 50 languages, and creates the finished PDF at the end.

Fill out the Child Supplement application with HalloAmt →

Haven't applied for Child Benefit yet? That's a requirement: Applying for Child Benefit: Where, How and When?

This guide is general, carefully researched information (as of 25.07.2026) and does not replace legal or official advice. Amounts, income limits, and rules may change; the relevant Familienkasse decides in individual cases. For binding information, contact the Familienkasse, a migration counseling service, or a lawyer. We cannot guarantee completeness or that the information is up to date.

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