Can You Still Get Kindergeld After 18? (Rules, Age Limits and Work)

Lena turned 18 in Freiburg this year and started an apprenticeship as a media designer. Her parents assumed that Kindergeld would stop on her birthday. It did not have to. Because Lena is in training, the €259 per month can continue until she is 25. That is €3,108 a year, or up to €21,756 over seven years at today’s rate.

Many families lose this money because they do not know the rules, or because they miss a deadline or a document. And many young adults do not know that Kindergeld can, in some situations, be paid directly to them.

This guide explains when Kindergeld continues after 18, how much it is, how much you can work alongside your studies or training, and what to do so the payments do not stop.

1. What Is Kindergeld?

Kindergeld (child benefit) is a monthly payment from the state to parents. In 2026, it is €259 per child per month, the same amount for every child. It is paid by the Familienkasse, which is part of the Federal Employment Agency.

Kindergeld is officially paid to a parent, not to the child. If parents live apart, it usually goes to the parent the child lives with. For children under 18, it is paid without further conditions. From 18, it continues only in specific situations.

2. When Kindergeld Continues After 18

After your 18th birthday, Kindergeld can continue if one of these situations applies:

“Training” is interpreted fairly broadly. It includes university, apprenticeships, school education, many internships that are part of a training path, and some language courses abroad with enough weekly lessons.

3. How Much Can You Work Without Losing Kindergeld?

This is where most confusion happens. The rules depend on whether you are in your first education or a later one.

During your first training or first degree

During your first vocational training or first degree, there is no limit on how much you work or earn. You can have a part-time job and Kindergeld still continues.

After your first training or degree

If you have finished a first training or degree and continue with another, for example a master’s after a bachelor’s, Kindergeld only continues if your work does not become your main activity. Allowed are:

• a job with a regular working time of up to 20 hours per week;
• a minijob, regardless of hours, as long as you stay within the minijob earnings limit (€603 per month in 2026);
• a training employment relationship, such as a dual study programme.

Working more than 20 hours for a limited time, for example during semester breaks, can be fine as long as it lasts no more than two months a year and your average stays at or below 20 hours per week.

Understanding how your pay is calculated also helps here. See gross vs net salary in Germany to know what your part-time job actually leaves you with.

4. How to Keep Kindergeld Running

Kindergeld after 18 does not continue automatically. The Familienkasse needs proof that you are still eligible. Here is what to do:

1. Send proof early. Before or around the 18th birthday, the Familienkasse usually asks for proof of training or study. Respond quickly.
2. Report changes immediately. Starting, finishing or dropping out of training, changing courses or starting a job above the limits must be reported.
3. Keep proof of applications. If you are waiting for a training place, keep applications, rejections and invitations.
4. Watch the deadline. Kindergeld is only paid retroactively for six months before the month in which the application is received.

5. When Kindergeld Can Be Paid Directly to You

Kindergeld is meant to support the child. If your parents receive Kindergeld for you but do not support you financially, you can apply to the Familienkasse to have it paid to you instead. This is called Abzweigung (diversion).

This is especially relevant for young adults who live on their own and receive no money from their parents. Even if it is paid to you, the entitled parent still has to cooperate and provide documents, because the entitlement legally stays with them.

If you are living on your own for the first time, a clear plan for your money matters more than ever. Our guide to managing money on a low income and the 50/30/20 budgeting rule are good starting points.

6. Kindergeld vs Kinderfreibetrag

Parents are entitled to either Kindergeld or the child tax allowances (Kinderfreibetrag plus the allowance for care, education and training), whichever is more favourable. For 2026, the combined allowances are €9,756 per child for jointly assessed parents.

You do not need to choose. Parents receive Kindergeld during the year, and when they file their tax return, the tax office automatically checks whether the allowances would save more tax. For most families, Kindergeld is the better option; for higher earners, the allowance can be worth more. Either way, the child must be eligible for Kindergeld, so the rules above matter for the tax allowance too.

A Real-Life Example

Jonas, 23, lives in Leipzig. He finished his bachelor’s degree last summer and started a master’s in October. He also works as a working student (Werkstudent) at a software company.

His contract says 18 hours per week. Because this is his second degree, the 20-hour limit applies, and he is below it. His parents continue to receive €259 per month, which they transfer to him for rent.

In spring, his employer offers him 25 hours per week permanently. Jonas checks the rules: a permanent 25-hour contract would exceed the limit, and his family would lose €3,108 per year in Kindergeld, plus the child tax allowances. He agrees to 25 hours only for the two months of the semester break and returns to 18 hours afterwards, keeping his annual average below 20 hours.

He also reports the temporary change to the Familienkasse with a copy of the contract amendment, so there are no questions later.

7. Common Mistakes With Kindergeld After 18

• Assuming it stops at 18. Many families never apply for the continuation.
• Not reporting a change. Overpaid Kindergeld must be paid back, sometimes for years.
• Ignoring the gap between education stages. A gap of more than four months can interrupt payments unless you can prove you were waiting for a place.
• Taking on too many hours after a first degree. A full-time job during a master’s can end Kindergeld.
• Applying too late. Payments only go back six months.
• Forgetting the bigger picture. Kindergeld ends at 25 at the latest. Use the years before to build your own emergency fund.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Kindergeld in 2026?

Kindergeld is €259 per child per month in 2026, which is €3,108 per year.

Can I get Kindergeld after 18 if I am studying?

Yes. If you are in university or vocational training, Kindergeld can continue until you turn 25, as long as your parents submit proof to the Familienkasse.

How many hours can I work and still receive Kindergeld?

During your first training or degree, there is no limit. After it, regular work of up to 20 hours per week, a minijob or a training employment relationship is allowed.

Can I receive Kindergeld myself instead of my parents?

If your parents do not support you financially, you can apply to the Familienkasse for the Kindergeld to be paid directly to you.

Does Kindergeld continue if I take a gap year?

A break of up to four months between two education stages is covered. A longer gap year generally is not, unless you do a recognised voluntary service or can prove you are actively waiting for a training or study place.

What documents do I need to apply?

The Familienkasse needs the tax identification numbers of the parent and the child, plus proof of the child’s situation, such as a certificate of enrolment, a training contract or proof of registration as a job seeker. Having your tax ID ready also helps when you file your own first tax return; see our tax planning tips for first-timers.

Is Kindergeld taxable income for the child?

No. Kindergeld is not taxable income, and it does not count towards the child’s earnings when checking the work limits. What matters for the work limits is the number of hours worked, not how much Kindergeld is paid.

Final Thoughts

Kindergeld after 18 is worth more than €3,000 a year per child. For families, losing it because of a missing document is an expensive mistake. For young adults, it can be a meaningful part of their budget during training or university.

Know the age limits, respect the work rules, report changes, and keep your documents ready. Then use the time while you still receive support to build good habits: understand your tax deductions, get the right insurance as a young adult, plan for the upfront costs of renting, avoid student debt traps, and take a look at the financial risks young adults face. Small, early decisions add up, as we explain in why time is a young adult’s biggest asset and how young adults can build financial stability. Parents planning ahead can also read how to create a fund for your children.

This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Kindergeld rules can change; for your individual situation, contact the Familienkasse or a tax advisor.

Continue Building Your Financial Foundation

Kindergeld can give young adults a head start, but lasting financial security comes from your own habits. If you want a practical introduction to budgeting, saving, managing debt and building stronger money habits, explore Personal Finance Made Simple for Beginners.

Get the book:

Buy on Gumroad

Buy on Amazon