Definition of Child Benefit
Child benefit is a state support granted according to the Income Tax Act (§ 62 EStG) to relieve families financially. The benefit is paid for each child that meets the legal eligibility requirements. During vocational training (Ausbildung), the entitlement to child benefit remains as long as the child has not yet reached the age of 25 and completes an eligible training program. In the case of a second vocational training (Ausbildung) or a further educational path, entitlement may still exist under certain conditions, such as when the trainee performs work for a maximum of 20 hours per week.
Purpose of Child Benefit
The main purpose of child benefit is to financially support parents or guardians so that they can better manage the costs associated with raising and educating their children. During the training period, child benefit particularly serves to ensure the living expenses of the trainee. Since vocational training compensation (Ausbildungsvergütung) in many professions is not sufficient to cover all living costs, child benefit provides an essential supplement.
Child Benefit as a Component of Vocational Training (Ausbildung) Financing
During training (Ausbildung), numerous costs arise that can significantly burden the budgets of trainees. These include particularly:
- Rent: Many trainees have to move to another city for their training (Ausbildung), which incurs rental costs. Child benefit can help cover these costs.
- Travel Expenses: High travel costs often arise for the journey to the training facility or vocational school. Child benefit can help finance these mobility expenses.
- Food and Living Costs: Expenses for food and daily living are also eased by child benefit.
- Learning Materials: During training (Ausbildung), trainees often require special materials such as textbooks, tools, or work clothing, the costs of which can partly be covered by child benefit.
Independence from the Trainee’s Income
A significant advantage of child benefit is that it is paid independently of the level of vocational training compensation (Ausbildungsvergütung). Even if the trainee earns a comparatively high income, the entitlement to child benefit remains as long as the other requirements are met. This provides additional financial security throughout the training (Ausbildung) period.
Requirements for Receiving Child Benefit
To receive child benefit, several requirements must be met:
- The child must not have yet reached the age of 25.
- They must be in an eligible training program, such as dual or school-based vocational training (Ausbildung).
- One parent or the trainee themselves must submit the application for child benefit to the responsible family benefits office.
Payments are usually made to the parents but can also be made directly to the trainee upon request if they no longer live in the parents’ household.
Amount of Child Benefit
The amount of child benefit is regulated uniformly nationwide. As of 2025, child benefit amounts to €250 per month for each child, regardless of the order of birth. This provides reliable and predictable support for trainees.
Special Considerations for Delays in Training
In certain cases, such as for a voluntary social year (FSJ) or a voluntary ecological year (FÖJ), the entitlement to child benefit may extend beyond the age of 25. The duration of the voluntary service is taken into account for the age limit. Likewise, the entitlement remains in the event of training (Ausbildung) interruptions due to illness, as long as the trainee remains in a training (Ausbildung) relationship.
Important Notes on Definition and Purpose
Child benefit is one of the most important state support measures for families with trainees in Germany. It provides a financial foundation to enable a child’s training (Ausbildung) and simultaneously reduces the financial burden on parents. Parents should ensure that the application for child benefit is submitted in a timely manner and that the family benefits office is informed of any changes, such as a training (Ausbildung) discontinuation or a change of training (Ausbildung) location.