Short answer: Students with a BAföG entitlement (the federal German study grant) receive a childcare supplement (Kinderbetreuungszuschlag) of 160 euros per month for each child under 14. This grant does not have to be repaid (status: October 2026, bafög.de). Child benefit (Kindergeld) is 259 euros per child and month in 2026 (§ 66 EStG). Parental allowance (Elterngeld) is at least 300 euros per month for parents without prior income (§ 2 BEEG).
Studying with a child means keeping several benefits in view at once: the BAföG childcare supplement, child benefit, parental allowance and, in rare cases, the child supplement (Kinderzuschlag). This guide explains what each benefit pays, where its limits are and which amounts apply in autumn 2026.
The key points in brief
- The BAföG childcare supplement is 160 euros per month for each child under 14. It is a grant and does not have to be repaid.
- If both parents are entitled to BAföG, the supplement is paid only once per child.
- Child benefit is 259 euros per child and month in 2026. It does not depend on the parents’ income.
- The maximum BAföG funding period can be extended while you care for a child under 14 (§ 15 para. 3 BAföG).
- The child supplement generally requires your own earned income. Without paid work, it usually does not apply.
Which amounts apply in 2026?
The table lists the main benefits. All figures were checked with status October 2026, and each row names the source on which the amount rests. The decision notice of the responsible office always counts in an individual case.
| Benefit | Amount | Applies to | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAföG childcare supplement | 160 euros per month | Child under 14, with a BAföG entitlement | bafög.de, since 1 Aug 2022 |
| Child benefit (Kindergeld) | 259 euros per month per child | Child up to 25 in education | § 66 EStG, status 1 Jan 2026 |
| Parental allowance, minimum | 300 euros per month | Parents without income before the birth | § 2 BEEG, applicable law |
| Parental allowance, maximum | 1,800 euros per month | Parents with income before the birth | § 2 BEEG, applicable law |
How high is the childcare supplement?
The childcare supplement (Kinderbetreuungszuschlag) is part of BAföG funding. You therefore need a BAföG entitlement before it is paid. The amount is 160 euros per month for each child under 14 and has applied since 1 August 2022 (status: October 2026, bafög.de). It is a grant, so you do not repay it, unlike the loan share of BAföG.
The following example shows what this means for several children.
Example with two children under 14
Assumption: you alone are entitled to BAföG and have two children under 14. The supplement then adds up to 2 × 160 euros = 320 euros per month. If both parents are entitled to BAföG, the office pays the supplement only once per child. It does not double simply because both parents study.
Does BAföG funding last longer with a child?
Yes, under conditions. Under § 15 para. 3 BAföG, funding continues for a reasonable period beyond the maximum funding period if the overrun results from serious reasons. Raising a child under 14 is one of these reasons. The office decides each case individually. Document the reasons early and in writing, for example with the birth certificate, so that a missing document does not block the extension.
The guide BAföG with a Child: Childcare Supplement and Extension explains how the supplement and the extension fit together.
How long does child benefit last?
You receive child benefit for your child until the 25th birthday, as long as the child is in education (§ 32 EStG). For a first training course or a first degree, there is no earnings limit, and a mini-job does not affect the entitlement. After a completed first training, a second training counts only if paid work stays at up to 20 hours per week. Up to four months may be bridged between two training phases.
Assumption: you have two children and both are entitled. That gives 2 × 259 euros = 518 euros of child benefit per month (status 1 January 2026). The family benefits office (Familienkasse) assesses each claim separately.
Parental allowance while studying
Parents receive parental allowance after the birth of a child, whether or not they study. Parents without income before the birth receive at least 300 euros per month. The maximum is 1,800 euros per month (§ 2 BEEG, applicable law). The parental allowance office checks the other conditions. The guide Parental Allowance for Students: Minimum Amount, Application and BAföG explains how parental allowance and BAföG interact.
The child supplement: when it can apply to students
The child supplement (Kinderzuschlag) under § 6a of the Federal Child Benefit Act (Bundeskindergeldgesetz, BKGG) is meant to support families whose income does not cover their needs with child benefit alone. It requires your own earned income that reaches a minimum amount.
According to the Federal Employment Agency, the minimum income is 600 euros for single parents and 900 euros for couples. The maximum is 297 euros per child per month, including the immediate supplement (Sofortzuschlag) (accessed October 2026, the page gives no year). The child supplement is granted for six months at a time. The notice from the Familienkasse is what counts.
For students, the child supplement therefore matters mainly when studies come with income that reaches this threshold. Without paid work, it usually does not apply.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get the childcare supplement without BAföG?
No. The supplement is part of BAföG funding and requires a BAföG entitlement. If your BAföG lapses, for example because of too high income or assets, the supplement lapses too. An application to the responsible BAföG office provides a binding answer.
Do I have to repay the childcare supplement?
No. It is a grant. The loan share of BAföG is different: 50 percent of the funding is an interest-free state loan that you have to repay (applicable law, status 2026).
Do I get parental allowance if I am not working?
Yes, if you had no income before the birth, you receive the minimum amount of 300 euros per month (§ 2 BEEG). The parental allowance office checks the remaining conditions during the application process.
Is the supplement paid if both parents study?
Yes, but only once per child. If both parents are entitled to BAföG, the office pays the childcare supplement once per child. The decisive factor is therefore the number of children under 14, not the number of studying parents.
What to do now
- Gather your documents on each child, such as birth certificates and proof of care and training.
- Ask the BAföG office of your Studierendenwerke whether you can apply for the childcare supplement and for an extension of the maximum funding period.
- Check with the Familienkasse whether child benefit is paid for your children and whether the training meets the requirements.
- After the birth, apply for parental allowance at the responsible parental allowance office if you are entitled.
- Get information on income and offsetting in writing and keep it with your notices.
Related guides
- BAföG with a Child: Childcare Supplement and Extension
- Studying with a child: money, benefits and insurance
- Child Benefit First Training: Age Limit and Work Rules
- Parental Allowance for Students: Minimum Amount, Application and BAföG
- Studienfinanzierung in Zahlen 2026/27: BAföG, Kindergeld und Freibeträge (in German)
Sources: § 15 BAföG, maximum funding period (gesetze-im-internet.de, applicable law); § 66 EStG, child benefit (status 1 Jan 2026); § 2 BEEG, parental allowance (applicable law); bafög.de, BAföG for trainees with family responsibilities (accessed October 2026); Federal Employment Agency, child supplement: entitlement, amount, duration (accessed October 2026, in German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
