Raising a child in Germany can cost between €150,000 to €200,000 by the age of 18. This article explores the financial aspects and available benefits for parents.
London, United Kingdom Jul 15, 2026 ALN: A recent Insa survey for Bild am Sonntag found that 55 percent of people in Germany agreed with the statement, "people can no longer afford to have children." This statistic highlights a growing concern among the German population regarding the financial implications of raising children in the country. This sentiment may come as a surprise to many foreign residents in Germany, as the nation maintains a reputation for being an affordable country for raising kids—especially when compared to countries like the United States or the United Kingdom, where child-rearing costs can be significantly higher.
Among those considering having children, finances are often among the most important deciding factors. So how much should would-be parents expect to pay to raise a child in Germany? Understanding the financial commitments involved in child-rearing is essential for prospective parents, as it can influence their family planning and lifestyle choices.
Starting with the big picture, on average, parents in Germany can expect that the total cost to raise a child up to the age of 18 will cost somewhere in the range of €150,000 to €200,000. This estimate is based on figures from Germany's statistics office (Destatis), which were derived from voluntary income and consumption surveys conducted across the country. These surveys aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the financial landscape for families with children.
Destatis calculated that child-rearing costs for parents in Germany break down as follows:
Altogether, this amounts to approximately €174,100 over 18 years for couples with one child—or roughly €10,000 a year. Destatis calculated slightly lower costs for single-parent households, presumably due to lower housing and energy costs, which came to €149,100 in total. These figures encompass a wide array of basic expenses such as food, clothing, housing, and leisure activities, but they do not include additional expenses for higher education, tuition at private schools, or special medical care, which can significantly increase the overall financial burden.
It’s also worth noting that Destatis’s latest figures on this topic are from 2018, so it can be expected that costs have risen somewhat since then. Therefore, a total expenditure of around €200,000 per child in their first 18 years is probably a more accurate estimate today. This would amount to about €926 per month, reflecting the increasing costs of living and inflation that have impacted many aspects of daily life in Germany.
Of course, real-world costs can vary significantly from the averages provided by Destatis. The actual cost to raise a child will depend heavily on a family’s personal spending decisions, lifestyle choices, and geographical location within Germany. For instance, urban areas like Berlin may have different cost structures compared to rural regions. Liam Kelley, who lives in Berlin with his wife and son, carefully tracks his household’s spending. In the first two years of his son’s life, Kelley calculated that he and his wife spent an average of €309.34 per month on child-related expenses.
“The largest expense we had was when we hired a full-time babysitter for two months,” Kelley told The Local. This situation arose as both he and his wife returned to more regular working schedules, necessitating additional childcare support. This amounted to a hefty expense, around two-and-a-half-thousand euros. After that, however, they were able to enroll their son in a daycare (Kita), where he is taken care of on weekdays during most of their working hours.
The childcare system in Berlin is notably generous compared to other regions in Germany. In the German capital, children are entitled to free daycare or preschool from the age of one until they reach grade school age. However, this level of support is not guaranteed in every German state, and parents in other regions may need to budget significantly more for childcare services, which can be a considerable financial burden.
With childcare costs now taken care of, Kelley estimates their monthly spend is now closer to €120 to €150. He added that his figures include most basic costs like baby food, diapers, medicine, a car seat, toys, and the occasional activity like a trip to the museum, but not food. The variability in costs can be attributed to differences in local prices, personal choices regarding brands and quality of products, and the availability of public services.
Beyond the basics, parenthood comes with additional expenses that may initially come as a surprise and tend to increase as children grow older. The Local reporter, Tom Pugh, has an 11-year-old and a 14-year-old at home. When asked about some of the bigger costs he's noticed as his kids have matured, he pointed out school lunches and fees for school trips as significant financial considerations.
Pugh suggests that food becomes a larger monthly cost for parents of older children. "They eat enormously at this age," he remarked, highlighting how the nutritional needs of growing teenagers can impact family budgets. School trips can amount to around €1,000 annually for two kids, he estimated, and after-school activities, while often reasonably priced (around €20 per month for his son's football club or €40 per month for karate), can add up over time.
There's no question that these costs, altogether, add up to a significant amount of money. However, in Germany, parents also benefit from tax breaks and other social benefits that can help reduce this financial burden considerably. This financial support starts even before birth, with all "medically necessary" pregnancy preparation and care covered by public health insurance. This aspect of the German healthcare system is designed to ensure that all expectant parents have access to necessary medical care without incurring additional costs.
Public health insurance holders in Germany typically see their children covered up until their 18th birthdays at no additional charge, or longer if they are still in full-time education. This provision is particularly advantageous for families, as it alleviates the financial pressure associated with healthcare costs during childhood. Additionally, parents are entitled to a number of monetary benefits meant to ease the financial burden of parenthood. For example, Germany's child benefit (Kindergeld) is €259 per child per month, amounting to €3,108 per year per child. This financial support can be crucial for families managing the costs of raising children.
According to a report published by Wa.de, the total cost of child-rearing in Germany lands in the "upper midfield" of an international comparison. Citing statistics from various national agencies, the comparison found that the costs in Germany were significantly less than those in the US or the UK, where childcare and education expenses can be exorbitant. In contrast, costs in Germany were found to be roughly similar to those in France, while being about double those in Poland. This context is essential for understanding how Germany fits into the broader landscape of child-rearing costs internationally.
In conclusion, while raising children in Germany can be expensive, the financial support and benefits available can significantly alleviate the burden for parents. Understanding the various costs associated with child-rearing, as well as the financial assistance provided by the government, is crucial for prospective parents as they navigate the complexities of family planning. The balance between costs and benefits is an important consideration that can influence decisions about starting a family in Germany, especially as societal attitudes towards parenthood and financial stability continue to evolve.
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