Family, partnership and money are closely linked. Moving in together, marrying, having a child or separating changes your entitlements, taxes, insurance and provision at the same time. This overview sorts the main topics and links to the guides that go into detail. Most linked guides are currently available in German only.
Short answer: Money and family meet most often in parental benefit, student financial aid (BAföG), family insurance, maintenance and inheritance law. Under current law, parental benefit ranges from 300 to 1,800 euros per month, and the reform from 2027 is in the legislative process. BAföG allows 850 euros per month for a spouse and 770 euros per child. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points at a glance
- Parental benefit: under current law the minimum is 300 euros and the maximum 1,800 euros per month (§ 2 BEEG).
- Reform: the changes to parental benefit from 2027 are in the legislative process and become binding only once they are promulgated.
- BAföG: a partner’s income counts through allowances, 850 euros for a spouse and 770 euros per child per month (§ 23 BAföG).
- Family insurance: the income limit was 565 euros per month in 2026 and applies to spouses and children (§ 10 SGB V).
- Health insurance: the Bundestag passed the GKV contribution stabilisation act on 10 July 2026. From 2028 a 2.5 percent surcharge is planned for co-insured spouses, with exceptions.
- Provision: without marriage and without a will, a partner does not inherit automatically. Couples should settle a will and a power of attorney early.
What applies to parental benefit, and what does the reform change?
Parental benefit replaces part of the income that falls away after a birth. The amount depends on income before the birth, and the minimum and maximum amounts are set in the German Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act (BEEG).
| Rule | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum 300 euros per month | current law | § 2 BEEG |
| Maximum 1,800 euros per month | current law | § 2 BEEG |
| Reform from 2027 | in the legislative process, not yet binding | Federal Ministry for Family Affairs and the legislative procedure |
Couples expecting a child should discuss how the months are shared early. The rules on the partner months are in Vätermonate beim Elterngeld (in German), and the special rules for self-employed parents in Elterngeld bei Selbstständigkeit (in German).
Does a partner’s income count for BAföG?
Under BAföG, a partner affects the award through allowances rather than a flat deduction. A spouse or registered partner has an allowance of 850 euros per month, and each child has 770 euros. These allowances lapse if that person is in a fundable training or course of study.
| Person | Allowance per month | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse or registered partner | 850 euros | 2026, § 23(1) BAföG |
| Each child | 770 euros | 2026, § 23(1) BAföG |
| The trainee | 353 euros | 2026, subject to a notice under § 23(6) |
The guide Partnerschaft und BAföG (in German) explains how a partner’s income is assessed. The competent office for training assistance makes the final calculation.
How does family insurance work for spouses and children?
Spouses and children can be family-insured under a member of a statutory health insurance fund, if they meet the conditions. In 2026 the income limit is one seventh of the monthly reference amount, which is 565 euros per month. It applies to spouses and children alike.
| Limit 2026 | Amount | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit for family insurance | 565 euros per month | § 10 SGB V |
| Mini-job limit | 603 euros per month | § 8 SGB IV |
According to the German Federal Ministry of Health, the GKV contribution stabilisation act provides for a 2.5 percent surcharge for co-insured spouses from 2028, with exceptions. The Bundestag passed the act on 10 July 2026. What this costs is explained in Familienversicherung Ehepartner ab 2028 (in German).
What happens to maintenance after a separation?
Maintenance depends on the income of both parents, the age of the child and the care arrangement. Guidance comes from the maintenance guidelines of the higher regional courts, such as the Düsseldorf table. The competent higher regional court publishes the current version.
- Both parents’ incomes form the starting point.
- The child’s age determines the rate.
- Care and contact arrangements can shift the distribution.
A step-by-step calculation is in Kindesunterhalt berechnen.
What provision do unmarried couples need?
Married partners inherit under statutory inheritance law. Unmarried partners inherit nothing without a will, and the estate passes to statutory heirs such as parents or siblings. A will is therefore especially important for unmarried couples, as Erbschaft unter Partnern (in German) explains.
A power of attorney sets out who manages accounts and decisions if a partner can no longer do so. Without one, a court-appointed carer may become necessary.
How does marriage affect taxes and assets?
Married couples can be assessed jointly for tax. Joint assessment (Ehegattensplitting) is current law, and its abolition is being discussed politically. For the tax side of marriage, see Gemeinsame Steuererklärung für Ehepaare (in German), and for assets Gütertrennung oder Zugewinn (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Who decides whether I am family-insured?
Family insurance depends on the membership of the insured person through whom it exists. The health insurance fund checks the conditions under § 10 SGB V. If something is unclear, ask your own fund before you change your insurance.
Does marriage affect BAföG?
It can, if your spouse has income. The 850 euro allowance applies only if your spouse is not in a fundable training or course of study. The competent office for training assistance makes the exact calculation.
Does my partner inherit automatically without a will?
No, if you are not married. Married partners inherit under statutory inheritance law. Without marriage and without a will, a partner inherits nothing, so a will or inheritance contract can make sense. A notary should check the form and effect.
Is marriage financially worthwhile for students?
It depends on income, health insurance and tax class. A partner with income can reduce BAföG allowances, while tax and inheritance advantages may offset that. A comparison with concrete figures is the most useful first step.
How are the costs of a child shared when both parents work?
Both parents contribute to maintenance according to their means. The parent with whom the child lives usually provides care, and the other usually pays cash maintenance. The split depends heavily on the individual case.
What to do next
- Work out which points apply to your situation: parental benefit, BAföG, health insurance, maintenance or inheritance.
- Check the income limits that apply to you with your health insurance fund and the competent office for training assistance.
- Settle a will and a power of attorney before something happens.
- Plan the costs of marriage, a child or a move in a shared household budget, as described in Haushaltskasse zu zweit (in German).
- For questions on provision and insurance in your own case, a personal consultation helps (https://academycon.de/so-arbeiten-wir/).
Related guides
Parenthood and parental benefit
- Parental Allowance Reform 2027: What Is Confirmed and Open
- Vätermonate beim Elterngeld: Was Partner beachten sollten (in German)
- Elterngeld bei Selbstständigkeit: Anspruch und Berechnung (in German)
- Familienplanung und Finanzen: Was Paare vor dem Kind klären (in German)
- Neugeboren: Die ersten Finanz-Schritte nach der Geburt (in German)
- Vaterschaftsanerkennung und Unterhalt für junge Väter (in German)
- Alleinerziehend im Studium: Finanzierung, Anspruch und Hilfen (in German)
Separation and maintenance
- Divorce Costs: What a Divorce Costs and Who Pays
- Calculating Child Maintenance: What Parents Pay After Separation
- Scheidung und Finanzen: Was junge Paare vorher wissen müssen (in German)
- Schulden nach der Trennung: Konten und Kredite aufteilen (in German)
- Gemeinsames Wechselmodell nach Trennung: Finanzen für Eltern (in German)
- Trennungsunterhalt für Studierende: Anspruch und Grenzen (in German)
- Patchwork-Familie: Wer zahlt Unterhalt und wie Kinder abgesichert sind (in German)
Marriage, assets and inheritance
- Ehegattensplitting: Warum die Abschaffung diskutiert wird (in German)
- Gütertrennung oder Zugewinn: Was bei der Heirat zählt (in German)
- Ehevertrag vor der Heirat: Wann er sich lohnt (in German)
- Erbschaft unter Partnern: Was ohne Testament gilt (in German)
- Testament für junge Erwachsene: Wann es sinnvoll wird (in German)
- Vorsorgevollmacht für Paare: Konto und Notfall regeln (in German)
- Haftung für gemeinsame Kredite: Was Partner wissen müssen (in German)
- Schenkung an den Partner: Steuerfreibetrag und Grenzen (in German)
- Erbschaftsteuer für Ehepartner: Freibetrag und Steuerklasse (in German)
- Hochzeit planen mit kleinem Budget: Kosten im Überblick (in German)
- Versorgungsausgleich bei Scheidung: Was Berufseinsteiger wissen sollten (in German)
- Grundbuch zu zweit: Wie Partner beim Hauskauf eingetragen werden (in German)
Moving in together and everyday life
- Ummelden beim Zusammenziehen: Hauptwohnsitz und Fristen (in German)
- Partnerschaft und BAföG: Wird das Einkommen des Partners angerechnet? (in German)
- Haushaltskasse zu zweit: Gemeinsame Ausgaben fair aufteilen (in German)
- Gemeinsame Steuererklärung für Ehepaare: Lohnt sich das? (in German)
- Unverheiratet zusammenleben: Welche Rechte Paare ohne Trauschein haben (in German)
- Unterhalt zwischen Ehepartnern im Studium: Pflicht oder Option? (in German)
Sources: § 2 BEEG, parental benefit amounts (in force); § 23 BAföG, allowances (2026, German law); § 10 SGB V, family insurance (German law); German Federal Ministry of Health, press release on the GKV contribution stabilisation act (10 July 2026, in German)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
