Wegweiser Parents & Families · Rights and benefits for your child Deutsch

🧭 Overview: rights and benefits for families

What parents of school-age children should know: money, childcare, school, child protection and the child's rights.

family parents child benefit daycare school Jugendamt children's rights

In brief

As a parent you have rights and duties. Your child has rights of their own. Many benefits are only paid on application.

Key building blocks:

  • Money: child benefit (Kindergeld), child supplement (Kinderzuschlag), education and participation package (Bildung und Teilhabe).
  • Childcare: legal right to a daycare place and to all-day care at primary school age.
  • School: Schooling is compulsory. The federal states set the rules.
  • Work: child sick days when your child is ill.
  • Jugendamt (youth welfare office): It helps and protects. You are entitled to help if parenting becomes difficult.

Single parents, pregnancy and parental leave, separation and care leavers have their own guides. The pages here apply to all families.

Step by step

  1. Find your topicSearch above for your topic, for example child benefit or daycare.
  2. Apply earlyBenefits are usually paid only from the date of application. Ask the responsible office early.
  3. Gather documentsBirth certificate, proof of income and notices of decision help with every application.
  4. Get adviceIf you are unsure, use the advice page of this guide.

Deadlines

€259
Child benefit per child and month§ 66 Abs. 1 EStG
until starting school
Legal right to a daycare place from the third birthday§ 24 Abs. 3 SGB VIII
Watch out – common mistakes
  • Many rules (length of compulsory schooling, enrolment, choice of school, learning materials, transport, fines, special educational needs, daycare fees) are state law and differ by federal state; only BY, NRW and BE have been checked.
  • This guide gives information, not legal advice.
  • Amounts and special rules apply for 2026 and may change.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Structure and scope

This guide covers federal law: the Income Tax Act (EStG, child benefit), the Federal Child Benefit Act (BKGG, child supplement), SGB II and SGB XII (education and participation), SGB V (child sickness benefit), SGB VIII (child and youth welfare) and the Civil Code (BGB). According to the Kultusministerkonferenz source, school law is a matter for the federal states.

Not covered in depth

Benefits for single parents, maternity protection and parental allowance, consequences of separation and divorce, and support for young people leaving youth welfare care (care leavers) have their own guides.

Who is responsible
  • Familienkasse (family benefits office, Bundesagentur für Arbeit)
  • Jugendamt
  • School or state school authority (Schulamt): Berlin school offices by district, school supervision by the Senate department; NRW school offices as lower school supervisory authority (§ 89 SchulG NRW); Bavaria state school office (not checked in full text)
Further reading
Applying for child benefitDaycare, childminders and all-day care at primary school ageAdvice and contact points

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Overview: rights and benefits for families“?
What parents of school-age children should know: money, childcare, school, child protection and the child's rights.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • €259: Child benefit per child and month (§ 66 Abs. 1 EStG)
  • until starting school: Legal right to a daycare place from the third birthday (§ 24 Abs. 3 SGB VIII)
What should I do first?
  • Find your topic: Search above for your topic, for example child benefit or daycare.
  • Apply early: Benefits are usually paid only from the date of application. Ask the responsible office early.
  • Gather documents: Birth certificate, proof of income and notices of decision help with every application.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • Many rules (length of compulsory schooling, enrolment, choice of school, learning materials, transport, fines, special educational needs, daycare fees) are state law and differ by federal state; only BY, NRW and BE have been checked.
  • This guide gives information, not legal advice.
  • Amounts and special rules apply for 2026 and may change.
Evidence
  • Gesetze im Internet, § 66 EStG, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Gesetze im Internet, § 24 SGB VIII, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Kultusministerkonferenz, Bildungswege und Abschlüsse, retrieved 20 September 2026
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.