After the birth, a stack of paperwork begins that stretches over months. Many parents first do not know which office is responsible for what, or which benefits they must apply for themselves. This guide sorts the first financial steps after the birth and gives the figures with status and source.
Short answer: After the birth you apply for child benefit (Kindergeld) with the family benefits office and parental allowance (Elterngeld) with the responsible parental allowance office. Child benefit is 259 euros per child and month (legal status 2026). Parental allowance is at least 300 and at most 1,800 euros per month and usually follows 65 percent of net income before the birth (as of November 2025).
The most important points at a glance
- Get the birth certificate first, because almost every application requires it.
- Submit child benefit and parental allowance as two separate applications to two offices.
- Calculate parental allowance with the income of the year before the birth.
- Ask the respective office about deadlines directly and not in general guides.
- Keep all receipts and notices in one folder, sorted by date.
Which applications are due after the birth?
The most important applications involve three offices. The registry office (Standesamt) records the birth and issues the birth certificate. The family benefits office of the Federal Employment Agency (Familienkasse) pays child benefit. The parental allowance office, an authority of the state or the municipality, decides on parental allowance. The procedures run independently of each other, even though the documents often look alike.
| Application | Responsible office | What you prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Registry office of the place of birth | Registration of the birth with details of both parents |
| Child benefit | Family benefits office | Birth certificate, tax identification number of the child, bank details |
| Parental allowance | Parental allowance office | Birth certificate, income records, details of planned parental leave |
How much child benefit is paid after the birth?
Child benefit amounts to 259 euros per month for each child under section 66 EStG (in German). It does not depend on the income of the parents. Payment does not start by itself, however. The application with the family benefits office is the decisive step, and the notice shows from which month payment is made.
Assumption: Two children receive child benefit for twelve months. That results in 259 times 2 times 12 euros, which is 6,216 euros per year. The actual payment depends on the notice, but the amount itself applies to 2026.
How is parental allowance calculated in the first year?
Parental allowance follows the income before the birth and not the income during parental leave. Under section 2 BEEG (in German), basic parental allowance amounts to at least 300 and at most 1,800 euros per month. The federal ministry names 65 percent of net income earned in the year before the birth as the usual rule. The flyer also gives a range of 150 to 900 euros per month for ElterngeldPlus.
The office checks income on the basis of the documents submitted. Differences between the plan and the notice are therefore common when income changed shortly before the birth. A non-binding calculation with the parental allowance calculator does not replace the notice, but it helps with planning.
Which steps are due in the first weeks?
- Request the birth certificate from the registry office, because child benefit and parental allowance both require it.
- Register the child with the residents’ registration office and check the main residence. The process is described in Moving in together: main residence and deadlines (in German).
- Apply for child benefit with the family benefits office and keep the notice.
- Apply for parental allowance with the responsible office, with income records of the previous year.
- Clarify the health insurance of the child and the tax identification number once the birth is registered.
What does a first monthly calculation look like?
A simple comparison helps plan the months after the birth. It shows which income is certain and which gap remains. The figures below are a model calculation and not information from the authorities.
| Item | Amount per month | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Parental allowance (assumption: 2,400 euros net before the birth) | 1,560 euros | 65 percent as the usual rule |
| Child benefit | 259 euros | one child |
| Total | 1,819 euros | without other income and without deductions |
The gap to ongoing costs decides whether a part-time job, reduced hours or a longer parental leave by the other partner pays off. Anyone who runs through this calculation before the birth avoids unpleasant surprises in the third month.
Which documents should you keep ready?
Many delays do not come from the office but from missing papers. Anyone who bundles the documents in advance submits applications faster and more completely. Originals are rarely handed over, so you enclose copies where the office accepts them. The list looks slightly different at each office.
- Birth certificate of the child, as original or certified copy, depending on the office
- Proof of income for the year before the birth, such as a tax assessment or payslips
- Bank details for payments of child benefit and parental allowance
- Details of employer and planned parental leave for both parents
- Identity documents of both parents
Which documents are required in detail is stated in the leaflet of each office. Those details take precedence over general lists, including this overview. If you are unsure, call the office and ask for the current status.
Frequently asked questions
When must the birth be registered?
The birth must be reported to the registry office. Ask the registry office of the place of birth for the exact deadline and the responsible office, because both depend on the circumstances. The birth certificate makes many applications possible, so this step should not wait.
Is child benefit also paid retroactively?
The family benefits office decides in its notice whether and for which months child benefit is paid afterwards. An early application prevents gaps, and anyone who applies later should collect the documents for the period carefully. The office assesses each case individually.
Can the father also receive parental allowance?
Yes, both parents can receive parental allowance if they meet the requirements. The division of the months is a separate topic, explained in Parental months for fathers and partners (in German).
Is child benefit paid during a degree?
Child benefit can also be paid during a degree, depending on the training and the age of the child. The requirements are covered in detail in Child benefit during studies and the master (in German).
What you should do now
- Create a folder with the birth certificate, bank details and income records.
- Apply for child benefit and keep the notice.
- Check parental allowance with the calculator and submit the application to the parental allowance office.
- Note deadlines and contact persons as soon as the offices reply.
Related articles
- Family, Partnership and Money: The overview for young adults
- Family planning and finances: what couples should settle
- Moving in together: main residence and deadlines
- Parental months for fathers and partners
- Child benefit during studies and the master (in German)
Sources: Section 66 EStG, amount of child benefit (German), legal status 2026, Section 2 BEEG, minimum and maximum amount of parental allowance (German), The federal parental allowance at a glance, flyer of the BMBFSFJ (German), as of November 2025.
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
