Child benefit in Germany. Application for child benefit in 2023 – who has to submit the form? The child allowance in Germany is set to increase and the application can even be completed online. Here’s a guide on how to go about it:
Application for family allowance in 2023
Kindergeld child benefit is paid to all parents in Germany, including children who do not live in Germany. From 1 January 2023, some parents in Germany have to apply for it for the first time or again at the Familienkasse. If they don’t, they won’t get benefits. In addition, they will not be able to receive a supplement to Child Benefit 2023.
READ MORE: Child benefit (Kindergeld) payment dates in January 2023
Rising inflation and energy prices mean that the Kindergeld child benefit paid so far is no longer sufficient. From 2023, the benefit will be increased – in some cases by as much as EUR 31 per month . The application for child benefit of € 250 is now easy to fill out, you can even do it online.
€250 per child: increase in family allowance in 2023 – also for newborns and children over 18
You can continue to receive Child Benefit if your child is still in education, apprenticeship or registered volunteer work after turning 18 . Kindergeld is granted even if the adult child does not live in Germany.
Payment of the Kindergeld child benefit ends at the end of the month in which the child turns 18. If the 18th birthday falls on the first day of the month, then the right to the benefit expires on the last day of the preceding month. If the child is still attending school, learning a trade or studying, a new application for the benefit must be submitted.
The benefit can also be collected for older children – up to 25 years of age, if they are undergoing vocational training. Parents of newborn children must also apply for child benefit.
Application for child benefit in 2023 : Where to apply?
This can be done in person or by proxy, e.g. by a tax advisor by post at the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) competent for your place of residence. Applications for child benefit/children must be submitted using special forms available from the Family Benefits Office or by downloading from www.familienkasse.de or www.bzst.de. You can also complete the application online at https://formular.arbeitsagentur.de and send it in encrypted form directly to the Family Benefits Office.
It is worth remembering that the application for Kindergeld may be submitted by the person legally taking care of the child and the children themselves, but only after they turn 18 and have full legal capacity.
Applications for Kindergeld for newborns and children over 18 can be completed online using the ELSTER web application . For this you need a valid ELSTER certificate. When applying for Child Benefit, the first thing you need to do is answer general questions about your child and parents. This includes e.g. questions about citizenship and place of residence. Once you have answered these questions, there is nothing to stop you from claiming Child Benefit.
Kindergeld benefit in 2023. Who can apply for it?
A parent who has been legally employed in Germany for at least 6 months or who runs their own business in Germany or who is a posted worker can apply for Kindergeld .
According to German law, family allowance is payable for natural children, adopted children, as well as other children who belong to the household, i.e. children of the spouse, grandchildren and stepchildren.
source : Bundesregierung.de , Arbeitsagentur.de