Quick answer
Child benefit during studies is paid until the 25th birthday, 259 euros per child and month in 2026. Between bachelor’s and master’s it continues for a break of up to four months. In a leave semester it depends on the reason. For a master’s after turning 25 there is in principle none. Exceptions are checked case by case.
Key points at a glance
| Question | Answer | Status |
|---|---|---|
| How long is child benefit paid during studies? | Until the 25th birthday, as long as you are in training or studying | Current law |
| How much is it? | 259 euros per child and month, 267 euros planned for 2027 | 2026 official, 2027 planned (government draft) |
| Between bachelor’s and master’s? | Yes, with a break of up to four months | Current law |
| During a leave semester? | Depends on the reason, case-by-case check by the family benefits office | Administrative practice |
| Master’s after the 25th birthday? | In principle no, exceptions on a case-by-case basis | Current law |
Want to know how long it runs for you? The child benefit check calculates a possible situation from your date of birth and the end of your study period. The result is a guide; the family benefits office makes the decision.
Is there child benefit between bachelor’s and master’s?
Yes, as long as the break between the two stages lasts no more than four months and you are under 25. The entitlement continues during this time, even though you neither attend lectures nor take exams.
Example: Mia, 23, completes her bachelor’s in July and starts her master’s in October. In between are August and September, so two months. That is shorter than four months, so the family benefits office continues to pay 259 euros a month, which is 518 euros for the two months together. Assumption. Mia does not turn 25 during this time.
- Send the family benefits office proof of the new stage early, such as the admission notice or a confirmation of application.
- Plan the end of your bachelor’s and the start of your master’s so that the gap stays under four months. If the master’s starts in the winter semester, this usually works.
- If the break is longer, check in advance whether another reason applies, for example a voluntary service or a documented search for a study place.
Under child benefit law, a master’s counts as part of the initial training if it is aligned with the bachelor’s in time and content. If gainful employment lies in between, it is treated as a second training, and tighter limits apply to employment. How this is checked in detail is explained in child benefit for students, requirements and application (in German). What applies to your health insurance in this phase is explained in health insurance between bachelor’s and master’s (in German).
Is there child benefit during a leave semester?
That depends on the reason for the leave. A leave of absence is generally treated as an interruption of studies, even if you remain enrolled. The family benefits office checks whether the reason still supports the entitlement.
| Reason for leave | Child benefit | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| Illness | The entitlement generally remains | Submit a medical certificate and renew it if the illness lasts longer |
| Maternity protection | A ban on employment under the Maternity Protection Act does not harm the entitlement, but parental leave does not count as a harmless interruption | Attach proof, see pregnancy during studies (in German) |
| Study abroad | Remains if you are properly enrolled at the foreign university and the subject is comparable | Submit the enrolment certificate of the host university |
| Job, travel or time out without a study connection | The entitlement is at risk because your studies are paused | Ask the family benefits office in advance |
Report the leave semester to the family benefits office before the semester starts, and enclose the leave notice with proof of the reason. This way the assessment is clarified before money is paid out or reclaimed.
Is there child benefit for a master’s after the 25th birthday?
In principle, no. The entitlement due to studies ends when you turn 25, for bachelor’s and master’s alike. Under the monthly principle, the family benefits office generally still pays for the month in which you turn 25.
Example: Tom turns 25 on 14 March and is in the third semester of his master’s. The family benefits office generally pays until March inclusive. From April the child benefit ends, even though he still studies for two more semesters. From the 25th birthday, family insurance through the parents also ends, so you generally need your own cover, usually student health insurance.
The age limit shifts only in a few cases:
- Service. Basic military service, civilian service, a service of up to three years in place of conscription and work as a development aid worker extend the limit, at most by the duration of the service (§ 32 para. 5 EStG).
- Disability. If it occurred before your 25th birthday and you cannot support yourself because of it, there is no age limit.
- Voluntary service. A voluntary social year (FSJ) or the Federal Voluntary Service establishes child benefit up to 25, but does not extend the limit.
You sometimes read about child benefit up to 27. For studies, this limit does not apply. If child benefit is missing, other building blocks remain, such as applying for BAföG, application, deadlines and documents (in German) and, in exceptional cases, housing benefit for students (in German).
How long is child benefit during studies?
Until your 25th birthday, as long as you are in training or studying. Without training, the entitlement generally ends at the 18th birthday. From age 18, the family benefits office needs proof, usually the certificate of study, so that payment continues without a gap.
| Situation | Child benefit | Important |
|---|---|---|
| First degree, under 25 | Yes | No limit on working hours or earnings, a mini-job is harmless |
| Break between bachelor’s and master’s | Yes | Up to four months, you are under 25 and a new stage follows |
| Waiting for a study place | Yes, until 25 | You are demonstrably looking for a place |
| Recognised voluntary service | Yes, until 25 | Does not extend the age limit |
| Second training or second degree | Yes, with conditions | Gainful employment up to 20 hours per week; mini-jobs and training-related work are harmless |
| Leave semester | Depends on the reason | See above |
| After the 25th birthday | In principle no | Exceptions on a case-by-case basis |
| After graduation, directly into work | Generally no | A transition period only applies if a new training stage follows |
Example: Jonas starts his bachelor’s at 19 and studies continuously until his 25th birthday. That is six years, so 72 months. At 259 euros a month, that adds up to 18,648 euros. Assumption. The amount stays the same, which is not certain.
Report the end of your studies to the family benefits office promptly. This avoids overpayments that you would have to repay.
How much child benefit is there in 2026, and what changes in 2027?
In 2026 the family benefits office pays 259 euros per child and month, which is 3,108 euros a year. A government draft exists for the following years.
| Year | Child benefit per child and month | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 259 euros | Official, § 66 EStG |
| 2027 | 267 euros | Planned, government draft of the Income Tax Reform Act 2027 (cabinet, 2 September 2026) |
| 2028 | 272 euros | Planned, government draft |
The law has not yet been passed, and the source does not state its status in the Bundestag and Bundesrat. For now, plan with 259 euros. The page will be updated once the amounts are decided.
| Feature | Values 2026 | 2027 (status) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child benefit per child and month | 259 euros | 267 euros (planned, Income Tax Reform Act 2027, procedure open) | § 66 EStG; federal government, cabinet 2 September 2026 |
| Age limit in training | 25 years | unchanged | § 32 para. 4 EStG; family benefits office leaflet |
| Transition period between training stages | up to 4 months | unchanged | § 32 para. 4 EStG |
| Second degree or second training | gainful employment up to 20 hours per week | unchanged | Family benefits office leaflet |
| Child allowance for both parents (subsistence minimum and care) | 9,756 euros per year | 10,056 euros (planned, not yet decided) | § 32 para. 6 EStG; Income Tax Reform Act 2027 |
Frequently asked questions
Do I get child benefit during a leave semester?
That depends on the reason. Illness, maternity protection or a study abroad with proper enrolment support a continued entitlement, while a job or a trip without a study connection puts it at risk. The family benefits office decides case by case, so report the leave of absence in advance.
How much child benefit is there in 2026 and 2027?
In 2026 it is 259 euros per child and month. 267 euros is planned for 2027, but the law has not yet been passed. Until then, plan with 259 euros.
Is there child benefit for a master’s after the 25th birthday?
In principle, no. The age limit of 25 applies to bachelor’s and master’s alike. Exceptions exist only for certain services and for a disability, which the family benefits office checks case by case.
What applies if there is more than four months between bachelor’s and master’s?
Then the transition rule does not apply. Whether another reason applies, such as a voluntary service or a documented search for a study place, you clarify with the family benefits office in advance.
Who receives the child benefit during studies, me or my parents?
Usually your parents are entitled, and the money goes into their account. If they do not pay maintenance, the family benefits office can, on application, pay the benefit out to you directly. The procedure is described in the article on the requirements.
What to do now
- Check when you turn 25 and when your current stage of study ends. Both dates determine how long the entitlement runs.
- Make sure the family benefits office has your current certificate of study, at the latest when you turn 18 or a new stage begins.
- Plan the change from bachelor’s to master’s so that the break stays under four months, and send proof early.
- Report a leave semester before the semester starts, with the notice and proof of the reason.
- Before your 25th birthday, work out what your health insurance and financing look like afterwards. The child benefit check can help with this.
If you want to go through your situation with your own figures, you can use the Academycon online check.
Sources and review status
- § 32 EStG, accessed on 20 October 2026
- § 66 EStG, accessed on 20 October 2026
- Family benefits office, child benefit from age 18, accessed on 20 October 2026
- Federal government, Income Tax Reform 2027, accessed on 20 October 2026
Information, not individual advice.
Editorial team: Academycon · Last updated: October 2026
Related guides
- Child benefit for students, requirements and application (in German)
- Applying for BAföG, application, deadlines and documents (in German)
- Housing benefit for students (in German)
- Pregnancy during studies (in German)
- Health insurance between bachelor’s and master’s (in German)
- Master’s or working straight away, what pays more? (in German)
- Health insurance during studies from age 30, cut-off dates and figures (in German)
- Voluntary social year and Federal Voluntary Service, child benefit and insurance (in German)
- Initial training for child benefit (in German)
- Transition period for child benefit (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
