Familiengeld; Beantragung

Parents can apply for family allowance for every child between the ages of two and three.

Child start-up allowance

In November 2024, the Bavarian Council of Ministers decided to further develop the voluntary benefits for families in Bavaria. The family allowance and crèche allowance will therefore be combined into a one-off benefit, the Kinderstartgeld, in future. Further money will flow into the childcare system.

For children born on or after January 1, 2025, there will be a child starter allowance. This one-off benefit of 3,000 euros is to be paid out on the child's first birthday.

There will be no changes for parents who already receive the Bavarian family allowance. The Ministry of Family Affairs is currently working on the key points for the child starter allowance, after which the parliamentary procedure for the necessary legal changes will be carried out. This must be awaited.

Bavarian family allowance

With the Bavarian family allowance, the former Bavarian childcare allowance and the Bavarian state child-raising allowance have been combined and topped up.

The family allowance is paid regardless of income, employment and type of care. Parents of young children should thus experience a tangible appreciation for their child-raising efforts and at the same time be given greater economic freedom to provide their child with beneficial early childhood care.

The family allowance amounts to up to 250 euros per month for the first and second child and up to 300 euros for the third and each additional child. It is generally paid from the 13th to the end of the 36th month of the child's life.

The payment date is based on the child's birthday and is regularly paid within the first five working days of the respective month of life.

Parents of one- and two-year-old children receive the benefit if they

• have their main residence or habitual abode in Bavaria
• live in a household with their child and
• and are raising the child themselves.

none

If you have applied for and been granted parental allowance in Bavaria, you do not need to apply for family allowance. The application for parental allowance also counts as an application for family allowance.

However, if you are not receiving parental allowance in Bavaria, you must submit an application to the Zentrum Bayern Familie und Soziales (ZBFS). You can submit the application either in writing using the forms provided or online at (see "Forms" and "Online procedure").

approx. 4 - 6 weeks

The application can be submitted at the earliest 3 months before the intended start of benefits. Applications submitted too early cannot be considered. The application must then be submitted again.

If applications are submitted late, the family allowance will be paid retroactively for a maximum of 3 months from the date of application.

You must notify the responsible office of any changes to your personal data (see "Forms").