Childcare costs in Germany depend on a patchwork of subsidies and exceptions, with some parents paying nothing for full-day care while others pay hundreds of euros per month. Here's what you can expect to pay depending on the state you live in.
The year 2025 saw a change at the top of the girls’ names list in Germany, while the number one boys’ name held firm. Lower down, the annual list shines a revealing light on key cultural influences and regional variations.
From an increase in child benefit payments and tax-free allowances to new rights around childcare and even the reintroduction of military service registration, 2026 is set to be a year with big changes affecting families living in Germany.
A decade from now one in four people living in Germany will be aged 67 or older, according to new figures. This dramatic demographic shift is set to place an unprecedented burden on the country’s working population.
Germany's Bundestag on Friday approved a landmark military service law as thousands of school students walked out of classrooms to protest against the return of compulsory assessments for 18-year-olds.
From maternity protection to family allowances, Germany’s welfare system for parents is generous but bureaucratic. Knowing and understanding the core terms in German can help you navigate it with less stress.
Two daycare centres in Berlin have closed due to falling demand. How is it that the city's 'Kitas' have 18,000 unfilled places for children when parents very recently had to fight for a spot for their kids?
Taking parental leave to bond with a newborn child is a wonderful experience, but if you're applying for German citizenship, you may be wondering if this break from work could impact your application. We look at the rules and offer some helpful tips.
Newcomers to Germany who have children can be pleasantly surprised by the level of support they receive. But for every silver lining there's also a cloud, writes Tom Pugh, who explains the pros and cons of parenting in the country.
While employees in Germany are entitled to maternity leave and maternity pay, freelancers have to navigate a different set of rules and considerations.
Whether trying to get energised to start the day, or finding a soothing way to fall asleep, these classic German 'Kinderlieder' (children’s songs) are hard to resist singing along to once you know the lyrics.
Everyone in Germany needs health insurance but how do the rules work for children? We look at what parents have to do to ensure their children are covered and check out the pros and cons of statutory versus private coverage.
There are different rules for how long pupils in Germany must attend school depending on the state they live. Things are changing in North Rhine-Westphalia as it extends compulsory 'Gymnasium' schooling by one year.
Using the right car seat for children is a legal requirement in Germany, as well as a crucial safety measure. Here are the terms to know, what to look for when buying one, and how the regulations apply in carshares and taxis.
Foreign parents-to-be in might want to become German citizens to strengthen their residency rights in the country. Does having a child in the country make it easier to do so?
All but two German states rotate their summer holidays to prevent gridlock on the roads and railways and spread demand at holiday destinations. Irritation at Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg’s refusal to join in may finally be coming to a head.
New parents in Germany, including foreign nationals, are eligible for a whole slew of benefits. Here’s what you should know about collecting these benefits from abroad.
For English-speaking parents in Germany, successfully raising bilingual children can require a surprising amount of forward planning – and vast reserves of patience, explains father of two Tom Pugh.
Germany's notorious rules around family names were made a little bit simpler this May. The new rules give married couples and their children a lot more flexibility to make changes.
Europe's population is getting older and its set to shrink in many countries. One of the keys to sustaining societies and economies will be the integration of immigrants into the workforce, the author of a new study tells Claudia Delpero.
The number of babies born in the EU was down 5.4 percent to 3.67 million in 2023, the largest drop in decades, official data showed Friday, underscoring the bloc's demographic issues.
