Millions of German families will receive their monthly child benefit payments in March, with disbursement dates varying based on the last two digits of their child benefit number. The payments, which have been incrementally increased since the beginning of 2026, are a crucial source of financial support for families across the country.
According to a schedule published by Finanz.de, families with a child benefit number ending in ‘00’ will receive their payments on March 4th, 2026. Those ending in ‘01’ will receive theirs on March 5th, and so on, culminating with those ending in ‘09’ receiving their benefit on March 20th, 2026. The schedule ensures a staggered distribution to manage administrative load. Payments are made via bank transfer on weekdays only.
The amount of child benefit received depends on the number of children in the family. As of 2026, the standard rate is €259 per month per child. Families with one child will receive €259, those with two will receive €518, three children will result in a payment of €777, and so on, up to €1,554 for families with six children. (Spot table below).
| Number of Children | Amount (2024) | Amount (2025) | Amount (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | €250 | €255 | €259 |
| 2 | €500 | €510 | €518 |
| 3 | €750 | €765 | €777 |
| 4 | €1,000 | €1,020 | €1,036 |
| 5 | €1,250 | €1,275 | €1,295 |
| 6 | €1,500 | €1,530 | €1,554 |
In addition to the standard child benefit, many families are also eligible for a child allowance (Kinderzuschlag) of up to €297 per month. Both payments are typically made simultaneously via bank transfer. The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) is responsible for administering these payments.
Eligibility for child benefit is generally universal for residents of Germany, including foreign nationals, provided certain conditions are met. The benefit is paid until the child reaches the age of 18, and can be extended to 25 if the child is in education or vocational training. The benefit is not dependent on parental income, according to the Bundesagentur für Arbeit.
The introduction of the Kindergrundsicherung, a new comprehensive child benefit scheme, aims to provide additional support to families. Details regarding the precise impact of the Kindergrundsicherung on existing child benefit payments are still being finalized, but it is intended to supplement existing provisions.
