Childcare costs in Germany: what you need to know

Childcare is an important issue for all parents in Germany - whether you are new to the country or simply trying to achieve a better work-life balance. But how does childcare work in Germany, what options are there - and how much does it actually cost?

In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about daycare centers, kindergartens, after-school care, childminders and state support. So you can plan better - and know what to look out for.

All childcare options in Germany

In Germany, you have various options for having your child looked after:

• Daycare center (Kita): The most common form. Children from around one year old until they start school can be looked after there - often all day.
• Kindergarten: Part of the daycare center, usually for children from the age of 3 until they start school. Depending on the facility, usually half-day, but sometimes also full-day.
• After-school care: Afternoon care for school children up to the age of 12.
• Day care (childminder): Individuals who look after smaller groups (usually up to 5 children) in their own home.
• Babysitter: Teenagers or adults, usually for hourly care. This option offers flexibility, but is a purely private solution.
  
  

Important: No matter which form you choose - free places are scarce! Especially in large cities, you often have to register several months in advance, sometimes even during your pregnancy.

If you are also interested in the subject of school, you can find an overview of the German school system here.

Childcare costs in kindergarten, daycare center, after-school care or day care

Childcare costs for children in Germany vary greatly. They depend on

• Type of care (daycare center, after-school care, childminder...)
• Place of residence
• Parents' income
• Number of childcare hours
  
  

Here you will find an overview of the average monthly costs:

Note: In some federal states, daycare is free or heavily discounted for certain age groups. The costs also increase the more hours your child is looked after there.

Differences in childcare costs depending on the federal state

In Germany, daycare centers and kindergartens are the responsibility of the federal states - which is why there are no uniform fees. Here are a few examples:

• Berlin, Hamburg, Hesse: Partially free daycare places (e.g. for children aged 3 and over or on lower incomes)
• Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg: Parents usually pay several hundred euros, especially for all-day care
• NRW: Contributions are based on income and municipality
  
  

Costs are often higher in large cities such as Munich or Frankfurt - where demand is also particularly high. You can find an overview of salaries in major cities here: Average salary Munich

State support for childcare

There are various forms of financial assistance available in Germany to ease the burden on families:

• Child supplement: For parents with a low income
• Housing benefit: Can be influenced by high childcare costs
• Tax deductibility: childcare costs are tax-deductible up to €4,000 per child per year
• Cost coverage by the youth welfare office: In special cases, the office will cover all or part of the childcare costs
  
  

If you have just become a mother, you can find instructions on how to apply for maternity benefit here.

More tips on life, family and work in Germany - WorkerHero

Balancing family and career is not always easy - especially if you are new to Germany. Childcare is an important part of integration, but it also makes it easier to pursue a career.

WorkerHero not only helps you find a job in Germany - especially in the skilled trades, logistics or care sectors - but also offers you lots of practical information about everyday life, work and family.

Whether you want to know how much you can earn in your city, what rights you have as an employee or how the education system works - at WorkerHero you will find clear, understandable explanations for anyone who wants to gain a foothold in Germany.