Germany's new kindergeld laws - anyone know about them?

[hollyhobbie]

Does anyone know about the new laws that are coming in in January? It seems we'll be getting a lot more money for our 2nd baby (due April)... does anyone have a definitive bit of info?

Do you get the EUR366 every month on top of the normal EUR154 kindergeld? And then someone said something about a 'Geschwister Bonus' if your kids are born within 2 years of each other.

I guess I could wait until the baby's born and see what we get, but I would hate to miss out on something because I didn't know I should apply for it.

Hi try looking on www.arrse.co.uk there maybe something on their website. Can email friend in Paderborn if you want and see if she knows?

Ooh, I'm an expert on this - found out about it when I was expecting in April too (sadly miscarried ). Quick summary of Elterngeld (Kindergeld is the 154 euros/month and is unchanged):

Elterngeld replaces 67% of your previous net salary (calculated as an average of earnings over the 12 months before the birth) for 12 months if you worked before the birth. There is an extra two months if your partner takes them off work to look after the baby. You can also split it between you - e.g. one partner can have 7 months and the other can have 7. But if only one partner stays at home, Elterngeld will only be paid for 12 months.

If you did not work pre-birth, you get the so-called 'Basiselterngeld' of 300 euros/month. This is on top of Kindergeld - they are two entirely separate things. If you worked, but earned less than (I think) 800 euros/month, more than 67% of the wage is replaced (up to 100% if earnings are under (I think) 450 euros).

I think the Geschwisterbonus only kicks in if you claimed Elterngeld for the first child too, but I'm not entirely sure.

Thanks, foundintranslation, sorry about your miscarriage.

I was a freelancer before DD was born in April 2005, and since she's been born I've not really worked, but have been registered as a freelancer. I did work one month, but only earned about EUR400...

Hmm maybe I need to speak to my steuerberater and see what he says.