Starting next year, German families will receive increased Kindergeld, along with an updated official payment schedule from the Federal Employment Agency. Since the date of receipt of funds directly depends on the last digit of the Kindergeld number, it is important to familiarize yourself with your schedule in advance. Find out more about the new amounts and detailed payment dates for the whole year

Issuing a Green Card policy for traveling abroad by car

BYE

In 2026, updated rules for Kindergeld payments — state child benefits received by millions of families — will come into force in Germany. The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) has already published the official schedule for the entire year and confirmed an increase in monthly payments. Therefore, it is important for parents to know in advance when to expect the money and how the payment system works.

What will change in 2026?

Starting January 1, 2026, the amount of Kindergeld will increase by €4.

Thus, parents will receive:

€259 per month for each child

The increase is part of a general adjustment of social benefits in Germany in response to inflation and rising child-rearing costs.

How does the Kindergeld payment system work?

Although Kindergeld payments are standard for everyone, the date of receipt depends on the last digit of the Kindergeld number. This is the basic principle by which the Familienkasse distributes payments throughout the month.

If the last digit is 0, the money arrives at the beginning of the month.

If the last digit is 9, the payment is made closer to the end of the month.

Don’t want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

What does the Kindergeld number look like?

The format is: xxxFKxxxxx9, where the last digit (0–9) determines the day of transfer.

This allows the load on the system to be distributed and ensures the stability of payments.

Official Kindergeld payment schedule for 2026

Below is a complete list of dates for each last digit of the Kindergeld number. The days listed are approximate dates on which the Familienkasse makes transfers.

📆 If the last digit is 0

8.01 • 4.02 • 4.03 • 8.04 • 6.05 • 3.06 • 3.07 • 5.08 • 3.09 • 5.10 • 4.11 • 3.12

📆 If the last digit is 1

8.01 • 6.02 • 5.03 • 9.04 • 7.05 • 8.06 • 6.07 • 6.08 • 7.09 • 6.10 • 5.11 • 4.12

📆 If the last digit is 2

9.01 • 10.02 • 6.03 • 13.04 • 8.05 • 9.06 • 7.07 • 7.08 • 8.09 • 8.10 • 6.11 • 7.12

📆 If the last digit is 3

13.01 • 12.02 • 9.03 • 14.04 • 12.05 • 10.06 • 9.07 • 10.08 • 10.09 • 9.10 • 10.11 • 8.12

📆 If the last digit is 4

14.01 • 13.02 • 10.03 • 15.04 • 13.05 • 12.06 • 10.07 • 12.08 • 11.09 • 12.10 • 11.11 • 9.12

📆 If the last digit is 5

15.01 • 16.02 • 11.03 • 16.04 • 18.05 • 15.06 • 13.07 • 14.08 • 15.09 • 13.10 • 12.11 • 10.12

📆 If the last digit is 6

16.01 • 17.02 • 12.03 • 17.04 • 19.05 • 16.06 • 14.07 • 17.08 • 16.09 • 15.10 • 13.11 • 11.12

📆 If the last digit is 7

19.01 • 18.02 • 16.03 • 20.04 • 20.05 • 17.06 • 17.07 • 18.08 • 17.09 • 16.10 • 16.11 • 14.12

📆 If the last digit is 8

22.01 • 19.02 • 17.03 • 21.04 • 21.05 • 18.06 • 20.07 • 19.08 • 18.09 • 19.10 • 17.11 • 15.12

📆 If the last digit is 9

23.01 • 20.02 • 20.03 • 23.04 • 22.05 • 22.06 • 21.07 • 21.08 • 21.09 • 20.10 • 20.11 • 16.12

Important details to keep in mind

Despite the clear schedule, there may be deviations in the system’s operation. The Familienkasse always notes several points that parents should take into account:

1. If the payment date falls on a weekend or holiday

The transfer may arrive later, as banks only process payments on working days.

2. Parents do not have a “right to an exact date”

The dates are a plan, not a commitment. A delay of 1-2 days is not considered a violation.

3. Additional payments for children

All additional allowances or subsidies arrive on the same day as the basic Kindergeld.

How can you find out your payment date?

If you are unsure about the last digit of your Kindergeld or want to clarify the information, you can contact the Familienkasse.

Free hotline: 0800 4 555533

Have your Kindergeld number ready — the operator will find your case faster and tell you the exact date of the transfer.

When planning trips abroad in 2026, make sure you not only receive your Kindergeld on time, but also have protection while traveling. A green card is mandatory international car insurance that guarantees your financial security on European roads. You can get one quickly and online, without queues or unnecessary paperwork. The cost depends on the country and the term of validity, and the policy is recognized in more than 40 countries.

The Green Card is a reliable companion for every driver and the best way to ensure the safety of your family while traveling!

Reminder! The federal states of Germany continue to provide shelter and assistance to Ukrainian refugees. However, due to the large number of migrants, the list of camps in Germany that accept Ukrainian migrants is constantly being updated. Find out the latest information about ‘camps for displaced persons’ in Germany that will accept Ukrainians in December 2025.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card – compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service – professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch – buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.