In Germany, families are specially protected by the German constitution, the Basic Law (Grundgesetz). For example, married couples receive tax benefits, and financial support is provided for children. Extensive education and childcare services also contribute to Germany’s family-friendliness. The government pays child benefit for every child. This allowance is 164 € per month for each of the first two children, 170 € for the third and 195 € per month for every additional child. For information and addresses, visit the website of the Federal Employment Office. In higher-income families, it may be worth taking advantage of the child allowance in place of child benefit. In Germany, every child between the age of three and six has a legal claim to a place in a Kindergarten.

To enable parents to combine their professional and family life more effectively, the offer of all-day childcare in a child daycare center and for younger children up to the age of three is currently being significantly extended. The new Länder and Berlin already have an optimum childcare situation in this respect. Kindergardens, childcare centers, and crèches are run mainly by the municipalities, churches, and charitable organizations, but also by companies and associations. Parents contribute to the childcare costs with an earningsrelated payment. International or bilingual Kindergärten can increasingly be found, particularly in conurbations. The Association for Multilingual Childcare Institutions and Schools (Verein für Mehrsprachigkeit an Kindertageseinrichtungen und Schulen) provides an overview of bilingual kindergardens in Germany. All you need to do is enter a city and a list of institutions with addresses and telephone numbers is displayed.