Kindergarten and Kita Costs — What You Pay and How to Save

How much does Kita cost in Germany?

Costs for a Kindertagesstätte (Kita) or Kindergarten vary enormously — from free to over €800/month, depending on the state, city, income, and hours of care.

Childcare in Germany is not a unified system — each state and municipality has its own rules for fees.

Free Kindergarten — where?

Some states have completely or partially abolished Kita fees:

Note: "Free" usually means only the care fee. Meal costs (€60–100/month) and materials (€5–20/month) are typically extra.

Typical Kita fees

Where fees apply, they are often based on parental income:

Example: Hamburg (beyond basic care)

Example: Munich (municipal Kita)

Example: North Rhine-Westphalia (income-dependent, Cologne)

Additional costs

Beyond the care fee, additional costs typically apply:

Typical total costs (with fee): €200–500/month (without: €60–120/month for food and materials only)

Subsidies and discounts

1. Economic Youth Aid (Youth Office)

If you cannot afford Kita fees, the Youth Office covers costs (§ 90 SGB VIII):

• Application at your local Youth Office
• Income verification
• With unemployment benefits, housing allowance, child allowance — usually full coverage
• Meal costs can also be covered

2. Sibling discount

In most cities, the second child costs less or nothing:

• First child: full fee
• Second child: 50% discount or free
• Third child and more: usually free

3. Education and Participation (BuT)

If you receive unemployment benefits, housing allowance, or child allowance:

• Meals at Kita: free
• Outings: covered

4. Tax deductibility

Kita costs are tax-deductible as special expenses:

• Two-thirds of costs, maximum €4,000 per child per year
• Applies to children under 14
• Report in your tax return (Child Schedule)

Kita Voucher — how does it work?

Some states (Hamburg, Berlin) have the Kita Voucher:

1. You apply for the voucher at the Youth Office
2. The voucher confirms your care entitlement (hours per day)
3. You find a Kita and submit the voucher there
4. The Kita bills directly with the city
5. You pay only your share (parental fee + meals)

Benefits

• Free Kita choice — you are not bound to a specific Kita
• Transparent costs — your fee is stated on the voucher
• Simple handling — no private invoices, no prepayment

Legal entitlement to a Kita place

Since 2013, every child from age 1 has a legal entitlement to a care place (§ 24 SGB VIII). In practice, however, there are not enough places — especially in major cities.

What to do if no place is available?

1. Register early — some cities require registration 1 year before the desired start
2. Contact multiple Kitas — not just your preferred one
3. Childminder — alternative to Kita, often more flexible and faster available
4. Contact Youth Office — the office must help you find a place
5. Legal action possible — if your entitlement is not fulfilled, you can sue for damages covering private care costs

Types of Kita

Tips for foreign parents

1. Know your rights — from age 1, your child has a legal entitlement to care
2. Register early — in major cities at least 6–12 months ahead
3. Check costs — ask about discounts and sibling rates
4. Ask the Youth Office — if you have financial difficulties, the office covers costs
5. Settling-in period — for the first 2–4 weeks you accompany your child (Berlin model)
6. Kita as language learning — Kita is the best place for your child to learn German!

As of: March 2026. All information without warranty.