Applying for Kinderzuschlag Online – The Electronic Route Step by Step

The paper route for Kinderzuschlag means printing, signing, posting and waiting. The online route removes all of that — but the interface is in German, and that alone makes many people give up.

This walkthrough goes through the official portal step by step on screen, so you know what is coming before you start.

Why the online route is better

It arrives faster, and it reduces the chance of a forgotten field because the system will not let you move on until a step is complete. With a Bund-ID account it can be submitted without printing or a handwritten signature.

What the video explains

• The practical difference between the online and paper routes
• The steps of the form on the official portal
• Entering the household, the children and the income
• Uploading the supporting documents electronically
• Saving the application and following it up after submission

Before you start

Have your papers ready before you open the portal: your children's details, your own and your partner's income statements, the tenancy agreement and the rent, and your IBAN. Photograph every document clearly and give each file a name you will recognise before you upload it. Preparing first turns the application into one sitting instead of three attempts that each end when the session times out.

The official form and the responsible office

The application is made only through the official Familienkasse portal. Do not enter your details on any intermediary site that promises to make the claim easier:

• Official Kinderzuschlag page — the forms, also in Arabic, and the online application

Common mistakes that delay a case

• Filling the claim in on an unofficial site — your data and your account are at risk
• Letting the session expire without saving, losing everything entered
• Uploading unclear photographs of documents, which are then asked for again
• Not noticing that the claim was never sent because the confirmation step was not completed

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Bund-ID?
Not always, but it allows submission without printing or signing, which is the cleanest route.

Is the paper form still available?
Yes. The online route is an additional option, not a compulsory replacement.

Is the interface in Arabic?
The portal is in German. The Familienkasse does publish an Arabic translation of the core forms, which helps you understand what is being asked.

Please note: The portal changes as it is updated, so some steps may differ from the video. The official portal is what counts.

Watch the video

The video is on the OK+ channel on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52H46hhKe4w

Also on OK+

• Kinderzuschlag – the three forms
• The KiZ 1-K short form
• Basic child benefit – Kindergeld

A tool that shortens the road

The OK Plus DE app gathers German administrative calculators and form templates in one place, free, ad-free, in seven languages. Android and iPhone, from the same page:
Get the OK Plus DE app