Child Benefit in Germany: When and How Does the Money Arrive?
If you live in Germany or have family there, you’ve probably heard about the child benefit – a monthly payment for every child. But do you know who exactly qualifies and when the money arrives? If not, get ready for a quick lesson on how the system helps families cover the costs of raising children.
Who is eligible? Almost all children in Germany are entitled to child benefit. Even families living abroad can qualify under certain conditions. Germany doesn’t forget its citizens even when they are far away.
How much is the benefit? Currently, the child benefit is about 250 euros per month per child. And it’s going up by 20 euros next year, regardless of coalition agreements. The government takes child care seriously and doesn’t plan to cut back.
Until when is it paid? The benefit is paid until the child turns 18, and sometimes beyond if the child is still in education or training.
When does the money arrive? Here’s the fun part! The payment date depends on the last digit of your child benefit number. If it ends with 0, you get paid at the start of the month. Then families with numbers ending in 1 get paid, then 2, and so on, with those ending in 9 getting paid at the end of the month.
So, the lower your last digit, the earlier you get paid. This system spreads payments evenly throughout the month.
How to find your number? You can find your child benefit number on bank statements or letters from the family fund. If you have multiple children, the same number applies to all of them. For example, it might look like 123fk835453.
Why does it matter? Knowing when the money arrives helps you plan your budget better. This benefit is real help, especially when living costs are rising.
Bottom line Child benefit in Germany is not just a number on paper – it’s real, regular help that’s about to get bigger. If you qualify, watch your number’s last digit and know when to expect the payment. And don’t be surprised if your money arrives earlier or later than your neighbor’s – it’s all part of the system.
So, did you know about this payment schedule? Or did you think the money just shows up randomly? Share your thoughts or jokes with friends – maybe they don’t know either!
