German Kindergarten Can Be Free or Cost €1,220 a Month

World News
BB.LV
Publiation data: 27.01.2026 13:04

В воспитании дошкольников важна инклюзивность.

The cost of services varies significantly depending on the city and income level.

How much does kindergarten cost in Germany? If you have recently moved to Germany and have small children, you might ask what seems to be a simple question. However, the answer is far from straightforward. Each of the 16 federal states in Germany sets its own pricing policy for kindergarten services. Municipalities also have significant freedom in adjusting fees based on their budgets and priorities.

Add to this a whole range of influencing factors, such as family income, number of children, child's age, type of institution, and number of booked hours. You end up with a system where there are practically no two families that pay exactly the same amount for childcare.

Some parents pay nothing for full-day care. Others pay hundreds of euros a month. Here’s how much you can expect to pay depending on which state you live in. This is an approximate cost of preschool education (Kita) for parents across all 16 federal states of Germany, so you can get an idea of what to expect.

Berlin

In Berlin, parents benefit from one of the most generous childcare systems in Germany.

From about one year of age, all children in the city-state are entitled to free preschool education until they reach school age, regardless of family income or the number of booked hours.

The only regular fee is a modest monthly contribution for meals, currently amounting to €23, and additional services such as sports or language courses are capped at €100 a month, according to information on the PRO Kita portal.

This applies to all hours of childcare in public institutions, and differences within the city are minimal. Private kindergartens may charge additional fees for extra services. But for most families, Berlin offers a simple and affordable solution.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

The northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has followed Berlin's example since 2020, offering free childcare for children aged two years to school age.

This includes all types of childcare, including nurseries, kindergartens, and after-school care, lasting up to ten hours a day, depending on parental employment.

Parents are responsible for paying for meals and additional services, but there are no significant differences within the state. The system is designed to be simple and accessible, making Mecklenburg-Vorpommern one of the most affordable places for childcare in Germany.

Brandenburg

In 2024, Brandenburg introduced free care for children aged three and older. Parents only pay for meals and additional services, and recipients of social benefits are exempt from all fees.

The shift to free childcare services for older children has made Brandenburg increasingly attractive for families seeking affordable childcare options.

For children under three, fees are still charged and can vary depending on the municipality, so it is important to familiarize yourself with local regulations.

Bremen

Since 2019, Bremen has provided free childcare for children aged three and older, covering all types of services, including private nannies, which are essentially state-approved providers of home childcare services.

Parents pay for meals and additional services, and fees for younger children depend on local regulations. The system is relatively uniform for older children, but families with small children should expect some differences depending on the municipality.

Lower Saxony

In Lower Saxony, free childcare services are provided for children aged three and older in public institutions, designed for eight hours a day, five days a week.

Additional hours and meals are charged separately, and fees for younger children and private services can vary. The state is accommodating to families with children over three years old. However, costs may increase for those requiring longer stay or private care.

Hesse

In Hesse, children aged three and older receive six hours of free childcare per day until they start school.

Fees are charged for additional hours, meals, and activities, and in large cities, the fee amount is not always adjusted based on your income.

The cost of services for younger children varies, and some municipalities offer additional discounts, so it is worth exploring local options. The Hesse system is designed to support working families, but costs can quickly add up for those needing extended care.

Hamburg

In Hamburg, free childcare is provided for up to five hours a day, starting from birth until school age. If parents require more hours, fees are charged based on income, family size, and the child's age group.

Meals and additional services are not included, and fees for extended care can be significant.

The city operates a tiered payment system, so costs can vary widely, and families should carefully assess their needs before deciding on a specific option.

Rhineland-Palatinate

In Rhineland-Palatinate, free childcare has been available for children aged two and older since 2020.

Parents pay for meals and additional services, and fees for children under two vary depending on the municipality.

The state policy is one of the most generous in Germany. However, as always, local differences affect the final outcome.

North Rhine-Westphalia

In the most populous state in Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), free childcare services have been provided for the last two years before entering school. This generally starts from the age of four.

However, for younger children, fees can be high – up to €1,220 a month for full-day care for children from families with particularly high incomes in some cities like Bergisch Gladbach, according to the latest data from the German Economic Institute (IW).

The cost of services varies significantly depending on the city and income level. Meals and additional services are charged separately.

The healthcare system in North Rhine-Westphalia is complex and varies significantly between municipalities. Parents should be prepared to do some research to find the best option for their family.

Thuringia

In Thuringia, free childcare is also provided during the last two years before entering school.

The cost of services for younger children depends on the municipality and the number of booked hours. Meals and additional services are not included.

The system is designed to ease the financial burden as children approach school age; however, expenses for younger children can remain significant.

Saxony-Anhalt

In Saxony-Anhalt, only the eldest child in the family pays for education, while younger siblings attend school for free.

The cost of services for the eldest child varies: care for children under three costs an average of €194 a month for eight hours a day, while care for children aged three to five is about €154 a month.

In some cities, the fee can be as low as €45 a month, but in others, where extended hours can increase costs to around €360, according to MDR data. There is no single upper limit on fees across the state, so there are significant differences depending on the locality.

Saarland

Saarland is gradually reducing tuition fees with the aim of completely abolishing them by 2027.

Currently, the cost of a full-day kindergarten place in Saarbrücken is about €164 a month, plus meals, while a half-day place for children aged three and older costs about €31 a month. Subsidies are available for low-income families, and costs can vary depending on the institution and municipality.

Schleswig-Holstein

In Schleswig-Holstein, a maximum fee of €288.40 a month is set for children under three (for eight hours a day) and €226.40 for children over three.

For the second child, half the fee is charged. And for the third child, care is provided for free. Meals and additional services are not included. In some municipalities, costs may be lower.

The capped expenditure system provides predictability. However, parents may still need to clarify local conditions and compare options.

Bavaria

In Bavaria, thanks to state subsidies, kindergartens can be free for children aged three and older in municipalities with low fees. However, in municipalities with high fees, parents often have to pay an additional contribution.

The cost of attending kindergarten for children under three depends on income. Bavaria has a "Krippengeld" program, the amount of which depends on the family's income level. It is generally available to families with an income of up to €60,000.

In Munich, there is its own model, under which municipal benefits are provided to families with a gross income of up to approximately €80,000.

Meals and additional services are charged separately. Costs can vary depending on the municipality and type of institution.

Baden-Württemberg

In some cities in Baden-Württemberg, such as Heilbronn, childcare services for children aged three and older are provided for free. At the same time, fees for services for children under three and overall costs in other cities can be high: up to €614 a month in Reutlingen, €360 in Ulm, and €149 in Stuttgart, for example.

Meals and additional services are not included. Their costs vary significantly depending on the city. Parents should carefully compare available options.

Saxony

In Saxony, there is no unified policy exempting families from paying for childcare services. Parents are generally required to pay for Kita kindergarten.

In cities like Dresden and Leipzig, the fee for services is about €229 a month for nine hours of care a day. Meals and additional services are charged separately. Costs vary depending on the municipality.

The lack of a unified system means that expenses can be unpredictable. It is crucial to check current information with local authorities.

Useful to Know

Several practical steps can help reduce childcare costs regardless of where you live in Germany.

First of all, it is always worth checking if you are eligible for subsidies. Low-income families and recipients of social benefits can often apply for reduced fees or exemptions.

Public kindergartens are generally the most affordable option. Choosing a municipal institution instead of a private one can also make a significant difference.

Additionally, reviewing the number of booked hours can further reduce your expenses. Some institutions allow parents to bring their own meals, saving on food costs.

Parents can also claim tax deductions for childcare expenses. At the time of writing, up to 80 percent (a maximum of €4,800 a year per child) is eligible for tax deduction for children under 14 years old.