Germany child benefit increase. Benefits in Germany. Starting next year, families in Germany could receive up to €1,300 per child each month. The planned changes to child benefits, set to take effect in May 2025, aim to give parents more financial support. The amount will vary depending on how many children they have and the cost of living in their region. This is welcome news for many, especially with the rising cost of living.
Up to €1,300 per Child Starting Next Year: Find Out Who Qualifies
The reform is set to take effect in 2025. A draft law regarding pay for federal civil servants was presented in August 2024 and is currently being discussed in ministries and with union representatives. However, unions are not satisfied, believing the reform does not go far enough or is fair. The proposal from the Ministry of the Interior, led by Nancy Faeser (SPD), includes plans to raise pay for civil servants with children. Besides the regular child benefit, civil servants receive a family allowance based on the number of children they have. Many civil servants also get extra benefits if they are married, and this applies to federal civil servants as well.
Under the new reform, federal employees will receive higher payments based on where they live. Those in high-cost areas will get more allowances than those in regions with lower costs, according to Merkur. Here are the changes to the family allowance for federal employees starting in May 2025:
| Family type | Current addition | New addition (from 2025) |
| Married civil servants | 171.28 euros | 171.28 euros |
| Official with one child | 317.66 euros | From 323.03 to 563.03 euros |
| Officials with two children | 464.04 euros | From 480.14 to 730.88 |
| Officials with three children | 920.10 euros | From 952.30 to 1391.78 euros |
| Officials with four or more children | 1376.07 euros | From 1424.37 to 1874.59 euros |
Maintenance allowances will be updated based on local rents, which are also used to determine social benefits like housing aid in each area. It’s important to note that the amounts mentioned are gross figures.
Read also: What to Do If You Haven’t Received Your Child Benefit in Germany
Opposition Grows Amid Rising Concerns
However, the Ministry of the Interior’s reform plans have not yet been approved. Unions rejected the bill, stating on October 11 that it is “internally contradictory and raises serious constitutional concerns.” While the bill keeps a 15% difference from the basic allowance, higher pay groups have not been adjusted, meaning only lower pay groups will see a pay increase. The dbb criticized this, arguing that an increase in higher pay groups is necessary to maintain differences among pay grades.
The Verdi and Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB) unions also expressed concerns, stating that instead of a major reform, only minor changes are being proposed, which could lead to new injustices. Verdi’s vice-president, Christine Behle, highlighted that the Federal Constitutional Court’s requirements and budget constraints have resulted in “patching holes,” which is insufficient.
According to the government’s plans, the new regulations are set to take effect in May 2025, but there are still many formal steps to complete before that.