Is there a right to child benefit during a dual education (dualer Ausbildung)?

Yes, there is a right to child benefit during a dual education (dualer Ausbildung) until the completion of the 25th year of life, as this form of education (Ausbildung) is recognized as a subsidizable vocational training.

What proofs are required for child benefit entitlement during dual education (dualer Ausbildung)?

For child benefit entitlement during dual education (dualer Ausbildung), a training certificate from the company and a copy of the training contract must be submitted to the family benefits office.

What happens to child benefit in case of an interruption of dual education (dualer Ausbildung)?

In case of a temporary interruption of the dual education (dualer Ausbildung), e.g., due to illness or maternity leave, the entitlement to child benefit remains, provided the trainee continues to be considered as in training and corresponding proofs are submitted.

Can the child benefit be paid directly to the trainee?

Yes, the child benefit can be paid directly to the trainee if they no longer live in the parental household and maintain their own household. An appropriate application must be submitted to the family benefits office.

What requirements must be met for child benefit entitlement during a dual education (dualer Ausbildung)?

For child benefit entitlement during a dual education (dualer Ausbildung), the trainee must not have completed their 25th year of life and the training must occur in a recognized vocational profession according to the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) or Craft Regulations (HwO).

Ausbildung ▶ Before ▶ Preparation ▶ Financing ▶ Self-Financing ▶ Child Benefit ▶ Requirements ▶ Training Status

Dual Education

Child Benefit Entitlement (Anspruch auf Kindergeld) during Dual Education (dualer Ausbildung) in Germany 2025

The entitlement to child benefit exists during a dual education (dualer Ausbildung) until the completion of the 25th year of life. The dual education (duale Ausbildung) combines practical work with theoretical instruction at vocational school and is considered a subsidizable type of education (Ausbildung).

Child Benefit Entitlement during a Dual Education (dualer Ausbildung)

Child benefit entitlement exists when the trainee is in a recognized dual vocational education (Berufsausbildung). This form of education (Ausbildung) combines practical work in a company with theoretical instruction at vocational school and leads to a vocational qualification. The dual education (duale Ausbildung) is considered a subsidizable type of education (Ausbildung), which is why parents or the trainee themselves have a right to child benefit until the completion of their 25th year of life.

Requirements for Entitlement

In order for the entitlement to child benefit to remain valid during a dual education (dualer Ausbildung), the following requirements must be met:

The trainee must not have completed their 25th year of life.
The dual education (duale Ausbildung) must take place in a recognized vocational profession according to the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) or the Craft Regulations (HwO).
The training company must issue a valid training certificate.

Proofs for Entitlement

For the application and continuation of child benefit entitlement during the dual education (dualer Ausbildung), regular proofs must be submitted to the family benefits office. These include:

The training certificate from the training company
A copy of the training contract
If applicable, certificates of attendance at vocational school

Child Benefit in case of Interruption of Dual Education (dualer Ausbildung)

A temporary interruption of the dual education (duale Ausbildung), for example due to illness or maternity leave, usually does not result in the loss of child benefit entitlement. The condition is that the trainee continues to be considered as in training. The family benefits office must be informed about the interruption, and corresponding proofs, such as medical certificates, must be submitted.

Direct Payment to the Trainee

If the trainee no longer lives in the parental household during the dual education (dualer Ausbildung), the child benefit can be paid directly to them upon request. The trainee must prove to the family benefits office that they maintain their own household and are not financially supported by their parents anymore.

Important Notes on Child Benefit during Dual Education (dualer Ausbildung)

Child benefit represents an important financial support during the dual education (dualer Ausbildung). Parents or trainees should ensure that the family benefits office is regularly informed about the training status. Changes such as a discontinuation of training, a change of training company, or a longer interruption of the education (Ausbildung) must be promptly reported to the family benefits office to avoid jeopardizing the entitlement.

in 🇩🇪 Germany