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👨‍👩‍👧 Child benefit during studies

Child benefit is paid during studies until the 25th birthday – but not automatically and not without proof.

Child benefit First training (Erstausbildung) Transition period Diversion of payment (Abzweigung) § 32 EStG § 70 EStG § 74 EStG

In brief

For adult children in a first training or in studies, child benefit is paid at most until the 25th birthday (§ 32 Abs. 4 EStG). Child benefit is paid to a parent, not directly to you. After completing a first training (e.g. a bachelor's degree), a further course of study only still counts as part of a single first training if it is closely connected in time and content – otherwise only limited gainful employment is allowed alongside it without putting the entitlement at risk.

Step by step

  1. Submit the certificate of enrolmentAt the start of studies, a certificate of enrolment generally has to be submitted to the Familienkasse so that child benefit continues.
  2. If there is a break: submit a new application in good timeAfter a break in training, a new application must be made; the transition period between two stages of training may be at most four months.
  3. Prove the bachelor–master transitionFor continuation as a "first training", the connection in time and subject matter between bachelor's and master's studies must be proven.
  4. Limit gainful employment during a second trainingDuring a second training, gainful employment may not exceed 20 hours per week on average, otherwise the entitlement lapses.
  5. If needed, consider diversion of paymentIf your parents do not meet their maintenance obligation, you can apply to have the benefit paid to yourself (Abzweigung, § 74 EStG).

Deadlines

25th birthday
General age limit for child benefit during training/studies§ 32 Abs. 4 Satz 1 Nr. 2 EStG
at most 4 months
Permitted transition period between two stages of training without loss of entitlement§ 32 Abs. 4 Satz 1 Nr. 1 EStG
6 months retroactively
If the application is late, child benefit is paid retroactively for at most the last 6 months before the application month§ 70 Abs. 1 Satz 2 EStG
Watch out – common mistakes
  • A gap of more than four months between school and the start of studies means child benefit is lost for the excess period.
  • A master's degree only still counts as part of the first training if it is closely connected in time and content to the preceding bachelor's degree – otherwise the 20-hour limit on gainful employment applies.
  • Child benefit is paid to the parents, not to you; in case of conflict, a diversion of payment to you can be requested if the parents do not meet their maintenance obligation (§ 74 EStG).
  • If you take more than six months to apply, you irretrievably lose the months further back.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Concept of first training and bachelor–master

Under § 32 Abs. 4 EStG, child benefit is granted for children up to 25 who are in vocational training (which includes studies). A master's degree is treated as a continuation of the same first training if it is closely connected in time and subject matter to the preceding stage of study; otherwise it counts as a second training, in which gainful employment of more than 20 hours per week on average is in principle harmful to the child benefit entitlement.

Diversion of payment (Abzweigung)

If parents do not meet their maintenance obligation, or not to a sufficient extent, child benefit can be paid on application to the trainee himself or herself (§ 74 Abs. 1 EStG).

Amount

According to several consistent secondary sources, child benefit has been €259/month per child since January 2026, regardless of the number of children or parental income; a value checked against the statutory text or the official adjustment ordinance itself was not available in this research.

Who is responsible
  • Familienkasse of the Federal Employment Agency
Further reading
Rights and obligations at a glanceHousing benefit for studentsPart-time jobs and working students

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Child benefit during studies“?
Child benefit is paid during studies until the 25th birthday – but not automatically and not without proof.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • 25th birthday: General age limit for child benefit during training/studies (§ 32 Abs. 4 Satz 1 Nr. 2 EStG)
  • at most 4 months: Permitted transition period between two stages of training without loss of entitlement (§ 32 Abs. 4 Satz 1 Nr. 1 EStG)
  • 6 months retroactively: If the application is late, child benefit is paid retroactively for at most the last 6 months before the application month (§ 70 Abs. 1 Satz 2 EStG)
What should I do first?
  • Submit the certificate of enrolment: At the start of studies, a certificate of enrolment generally has to be submitted to the Familienkasse so that child benefit continues.
  • If there is a break: submit a new application in good time: After a break in training, a new application must be made; the transition period between two stages of training may be at most four months.
  • Prove the bachelor–master transition: For continuation as a "first training", the connection in time and subject matter between bachelor's and master's studies must be proven.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • A gap of more than four months between school and the start of studies means child benefit is lost for the excess period.
  • A master's degree only still counts as part of the first training if it is closely connected in time and content to the preceding bachelor's degree – otherwise the 20-hour limit on gainful employment applies.
  • Child benefit is paid to the parents, not to you; in case of conflict, a diversion of payment to you can be requested if the parents do not meet their maintenance obligation (§ 74 EStG).
Evidence
  • § 32 EStG (gesetze-im-internet.de)
  • § 62, § 70, § 74 EStG (gesetze-im-internet.de)
  • familienkasse.de
As of

As of September 2026. · Sources and method

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