Kinderzuschlag calculator
You work, but money is tight at the end of the month? Then you often get Kinderzuschlag (child supplement), up to €297 per child on top of Kindergeld. Five short questions, then you see the amount with the calculation.
Who lives in your household?
Who gets Kinderzuschlag?
Families who work but earn little: at least €900 gross a month together, €600 alone. And with Kinderzuschlag and housing benefit the money is enough without Grundsicherungsgeld (formerly Bürgergeld). The child is under 25, unmarried, lives with you and you get Kindergeld.
How much?
Up to €297 per child a month. If a child has money of their own, such as maintenance or advance maintenance, 45% of it is deducted. If your income after allowances is above your needs, 45% of the amount above is deducted.
The parents’ needs
Alone it is €563 standard needs plus the single-parent extra, together €1,012. On top comes a fixed share of the rent, depending on the number of children: with one child 77% alone and 83% together, with two children 63% and 71%.
Elterngeld and Kinderzuschlag
Elterngeld counts as income for Kinderzuschlag. If you worked before the birth, up to €300 of it stays free, with ElterngeldPlus €150. Maternity pay does not count. How much Elterngeld you get is shown by the Elterngeld calculator.
What else comes with it
With Kinderzuschlag, children can get education and participation benefits, such as school supplies and lunch (apply at your town or district), and the daycare fee is waived on application. Kindergeld continues alongside, see the Kindergeld calculator. Single parents without maintenance should also check advance maintenance.
Common questions
How much is Kinderzuschlag in 2026?
Up to €297 per child a month, on top of Kindergeld of €259. How much you get depends on income, rent and the children’s own money.
How much may you earn?
There is no fixed upper limit. Kinderzuschlag drops by 45% of the income above your needs until it reaches 0. At the bottom you need at least €900 gross, alone €600.
Does Elterngeld count for Kinderzuschlag?
Yes, as income. Up to €300 stays free (ElterngeldPlus €150) if you worked before the birth. For the minimum income, Elterngeld counts in full.
Is Kinderzuschlag paid retroactively?
In principle no. It applies from the month in which the application reaches the Familienkasse, for 6 months at a time. Exception: if the Jobcenter refuses because Kinderzuschlag takes priority, you can make up the application.
What changes in 2027?
It is planned to drop the €25 immediate supplement. This has not been passed (as of October 2026), and the Bundesrat opposes it.
All calculators
- Elterngeld calculatorNet income, replacement rate, Basic and Plus – step by step, with the law section.
- Elterngeld tableBasic and Plus for €500 to €3,000 net, at a glance.
- Basic or Plus?Basic against Plus with part-time work, based on your numbers.
- Part-time income with PlusHow much part-time work before Plus goes down?
- Maternity pay calculatorHow much money during maternity leave, and who pays it.
- Kindergeld calculatorHow much child benefit and until when: 18, 21 or 25.
- Elterngeld for civil servantsElterngeld from civil servant pay, without social contributions.
- Minijob and ElterngeldA minijob before the birth, and during Basic or Plus.
- Tax class: the ruleWhich tax class counts – and from when. No recommendation.
- Income limitAbove €175,000 there is no Elterngeld. Which year counts.
- Due date calculatorPregnancy week, due date and when maternity leave starts.
- Split planner for twoWho takes which month? Rules checked as you tap.
- How long is Elterngeld paid?How long Basic, Plus and the bonus can last, with dates.
- Months of life calculatorAll 32 months of life with dates, and which one is running now.
- Deadline calculatorEvery deadline from your due date, as a calendar file.
- How to apply for ElterngeldThe last day for your application (Antrag) and your documents.
- Maternity leave calculatorStart, end and money during maternity leave (Mutterschutz).
- Parental leave calculatorWhen to notify your employer, dismissal protection, how long.
- Annual leave during parental leaveHow many days of annual leave you keep each year, with the legal section.
- Partnership bonus24–32 hours, 2–4 months: does it fit, and how much?
- Elterngeld for fathersPartner months: how many, when, at the same time or after.
- Single parentsAll 14 months and the bonus for you alone.
- Advance maintenanceWhen no maintenance is paid: how much and how long.
- Twins and multiplesMultiple-birth supplement, maternity leave, Basic at the same time.
- Premature birthUp to 4 extra months of Basic, depending on weeks before the due date.
- Second childSibling bonus with its end date, and skipped months.