German Bundestag approves automatic child benefit payments without application

On 9 July 2026 the German Bundestag passed legislation allowing child benefit (Kindergeld) to be paid automatically, removing the need for families to submit an application. The change, scheduled to begin in 2027, will rely on authorities exchanging data directly, cutting paperwork, shortening waiting times and easing the administrative burden.

The reform is promoted as a step toward fully digital public services, promising cost and time savings for both families and the state. Officials stress that accurate data integration is essential to avoid over‑payments or correction errors, and some critics warn that automatic payouts could create new problems if data mismatches occur.