Family
Childcare, school, benefits, marriage, separation, names, inheritance, and bereavement.
11 guides
The essentials, one guide at a time
A place in daycareFrom a child’s first birthday until the third, the child has a legal claim to early support in a daycare centre or with a childminder. From age three until school, the claim is to a place in a centre. Fees and the application are local.Kita
School and compulsory attendanceChildren generally start school around age six. Find out how to enrol and which school rules depend on your federal state.Schulpflicht
Parental allowanceElterngeld can replace part of the earnings you lose while caring for your child. Find out who can receive it, how the amount is calculated and how to apply.Elterngeld
Parental leaveElternzeit is unpaid leave to care for a child. You can take up to 24 months of your remaining leave between ages 3 and 8. Notice is usually 7 or 13 weeks; your child's date determines whether email or a signed letter is needed.Elternzeit
Child benefitKindergeld is a monthly payment for a child. Section 66 sets it at 259 euros for each child. A cabinet bill would raise it to 267 euros from 2027 and 272 euros from 2028; that bill is not law. You apply to the Familienkasse, normally online, and you need a tax identification number.Kindergeld
MarriageTo marry in Germany, register with a Standesamt and provide the required documents. Find out where to apply, what to prepare and when certificates expire.Standesamt
Register a birthLearn how to report a birth to the Standesamt, request a birth certificate and handle the separate address and benefit applications.Geburtsurkunde
Separation and divorceFind the right help for separation, divorce proceedings and related decisions.Trennungsjahr
Changing your nameChoose the correct route for a later name change and update your documents.Namensänderung
Wills and inheritance planningPlan a will and understand when inheritance questions need prompt advice.Testament
When someone diesOrganise the first contacts, documents and decisions after a death.Sterbeurkunde