Guide: important information about child benefit in 2026
Here you will find concise and easy-to-understand information about child benefit in Germany. We explain payment dates, processing times, and the most important differences between the benefits—clearly structured and up to date for 2026.
When will child benefit be paid in 2026? (Payment dates by last digit "Endziffer")
Child benefit is paid monthly by the family benefits office. The exact payment date depends on the so-called child benefit last digit. You will find this in your child benefit number – it corresponds to the last digit before the hyphen (e.g., XXXFK123456-7 → last digit 7).
The lower the final digit (0–9), the earlier in the month the payment is usually made. The official payment dates are set annually and may vary by one or two days depending on bank processing times.
Payment dates in 2026
📅 Child benefit payment dates (by final digit)
Child benefit ending digit 0:
Jan. 8, Feb. 4, Mar. 4, Apr. 8, May 6, Jun. 3, Jul. 3, Aug. 5, Sep. 3, Oct. 5, Nov. 4, Dec. 3
Child benefit ending in 1:
Jan. 8, Feb. 6, Mar. 5, Apr. 9, May 7, Jun. 8, Jul. 6, Aug. 6, Sep. 7, Oct. 6, Nov. 5, Dec. 4
Child benefit ending in 2:
Jan. 9, Feb. 10, Mar. 6, Apr. 13, May 8, Jun. 9, Jul. 7, Aug. 7, Sep. 8, Oct. 8, Nov. 6, Dec. 7
Child benefit ending in 3:
Jan. 13, Feb. 12, Mar. 9, Apr. 14, May 12, Jun. 10, Jul. 9, Aug. 10, Sep. 10, Oct. 9, Nov. 10, Dec. 8
Child benefit ending in 4:
Jan. 14, Feb. 13, Mar. 10, Apr. 15, May 13, Jun. 12, Jul. 10, Aug. 12, Sep. 11, Oct. 12, Nov. 11, Dec. 9
Child benefit ending in 5:
Jan. 15, Feb. 16, Mar. 11, Apr. 16, May 18, Jun. 15, Jul. 13, Aug. 14, Sep. 15, Oct. 13, Nov. 12, Dec. 10
Child benefit ending in 6:
Jan. 16, Feb. 17, Mar. 12, Apr. 17, May 19, Jun. 16, Jul. 14, Aug. 17, Sep. 16, Oct. 15, Nov. 13, Dec. 11
Child benefit ending in 7:
Jan. 19, Feb. 18, Mar. 16, Apr. 20, May 20, Jun. 17, Jul. 17, Aug. 18, Sep. 17, Oct. 16, Nov. 16, Dec. 14
Child benefit ending in 8:
Jan. 22, Feb. 19, Mar. 17, Apr. 21, May 21, Jun. 18, Jul. 20, Aug. 19, Sep. 18, Oct. 19, Nov. 17, Dec. 15
Child benefit ending in 9:
Jan. 23, Feb. 20, Mar. 20, Apr. 23, May 22, Jun. 22, Jul. 21, Aug. 21, Sep. 21, Oct. 20, Nov. 20, Dec. 16
How long does it take for the family benefits (Familienkasse) office to process the payment?
The processing time for a child benefit application is usually around 6 to 8 weeks. In individual cases – especially if documents are missing or there is a high volume of applications – processing may take longer.
It is important that all the necessary documents are submitted in full. Incomplete information or missing evidence often leads to queries and delays in payment.
Difference between child benefit and child supplement
Child benefit is a state benefit to which all parents in Germany are entitled, regardless of their income. It provides financial support for the care of children.
The child supplement (KiZ), on the other hand, is aimed at low-income families. It is paid in addition to child benefit if the parents' income is sufficient for themselves but not for the whole family. The aim is to prevent child poverty and avoid the need to claim citizen's income.