Child Support

In Germany, families are given special consideration in the German constitution or "Basic Law" (Grundgesetz). Families benefit from numerous family-oriented regulations, such as tax benefits for married couples and child support.

The government pays an allowance of EUR 184 per month for each of the first two children, EUR 190 per month for the third child, and EUR 215 per month for every additional child. Foreigners can apply for child allowance (Kindergeld) as soon as they possess a valid settlement permit. The allowance can be applied for at the family benefits offices of the local job centers (Familienkasse der Bundesagentur für Arbeit). Applications have to be filed in writing upon presentation of the child’s birth certificate. The necessary forms can be downloaded from the website of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).

• Child Allowance (Kindergeld) Application Form (in German only)

Parental Leave

Since 2007, parents have been able to file for parental leave and receive 67 percent of their net income (up to a maximum of EUR 1800 per month) as a parental allowance from the government for a duration of up to 14 months. For information on special regulations for pregnant employees, please refer to our chapter Employees and Social Security.

For information on special regulations for pregnant employees, please refer to Maternity Leave in the Employment in Germany chapter. Foreigners can apply for parental leave as soon as they possess a valid settlement permit.

The Kindergarten

In Germany, every child between the age of three and six has a legal right to a kindergarten place. Many kindergartens also offer care for babies. Kindergartens, childcare centers, and crèches are mainly run by the municipalities, churches, and charitable organizations as well as by companies and associations. The Youth Welfare Offices (Jugendamt) of the communities can provide information on communal kindergartens. Kindergarten place costs vary from community to community and depend on the household income. In addition, parents receive tax benefits for childcare costs.

Germany is home to numerous bilingual child care centers and kindergartens. Their number is steadily increasing, particularly in larger urban centers. The Association for Multilingual Childcare Institutions and Schools (Verein für Mehrsprachigkeit an Kindertageseinrichtungen und Schulen e.V.) provides an overview of bilingual kindergartens in Germany.

Child Care in North Rhine-Westphalia

For children aged three and over, North Rhine-Westphalia has a dense network of day centers. The centers are operated by the municipalities, churches or independent operators such as parents' initiatives or associations with a particular educational orientation. Kindergartens and day centers are regarded as pre-school educational institutions where children learn how to express themselves in keeping with their age, to understand their environment, and to enter into social interaction.

In larger cities there are also bilingual or international kindergartens such as a Japanese kindergarten in Düsseldorf.

Facilities for children under the age of three are currently being significantly expanded up to 2013 in order make it easier for young parents to reconcile family and profession. At the same time, towns, cities and communities train child minders so that they can provide qualified care for children under the age of three.

Family Centers

Many day care centers for children have now developed into family centers, offering parents advice and support in matters relating to the health, development and upbringing of their children in addition to child care. Furthermore, care times for children of pre-school and school age are to be increased.

More information is available at:

• www.familienzentrum.nrw.de