Kids & Custody

Being a parent is a big job and comes with huge responsibilities. In Germany, many of these responsibilities and obligations are regulated in custody laws. Section 1626 of the Civil Code stipulates some crucial regulations concerning child custody. It states that parents must take good care of their children and bring them up in a violence-free atmosphere. These regulations are designated to ensure that children are protected and well cared for. Although parents are entitled to make decisions in certain areas of their child's life, they must also consider the child's wishes. Respecting children's autonomy and choices is an essential part of custody rights.

Raising children is wonderful but also costly. That can sometimes become an issue, especially when parents separate and/or are not together (anymore). In such cases, arguments over the amount of money one parent has to give the other for children's expenses are common. In Germany, such payment (i.e. child maintenance) is regulated in the maintenance law or "Unterhaltsrecht". The maintenance law determines which parent has to support the other financially and the minimum amount of money they pay. In this chapter, you can find the essential information on child maintenance in Germany. 

Children and adolescents need appropriate protection - that is why they are subject to specific regulations. Not only are children and adolescents prohibited from the consumption of alcohol and tobacco or going to bars and clubs, but the law also regulates the consumption of films and video games by minors. Its purpose is to protect health and development of children.

Whether longed for or entirely unplanned, pregnancy and childbirth is a life-changing event. It can throw parents off the track for a while. In this chapter, you will find out where to seek help and support during pregnancy, what rights you have, and what issues you need to consider and plan for before childbirth. 

Speaking German makes your life in Germany much easier and is an important step towards the job market. Learning German, however, doesn’t mean you should unlearn your own language. Especially children adapt very quickly and could forget the language of their parents. In our globalised world, language skills are a big advantage, which is why it is important to promote them. Here you can find some helpful information about multilingual schools and language courses.

Parents are not only faced with the task of raising their children, but also nurturing them to become developed adults. Of course, the parenting style you choose is entirely up to you. In many families, arguments and problems are part of everyday life - not only with teenagers, but also with younger children. It is worth to mention that in their daily life, in daycare or school, a lot is demanded of children, and they too are often exposed to stress and pressure.

Does your baby cry all night? Does your child have problems finding friends? What if your teenager doesn't listen to you any more and, for instance, comes home way too late? Does your child often react aggressively or hide in their room? Does your child spend all his free time on the computer or mobile phone? Does your child have problems at school? Or with the police? Do not worry! You are not alone with your concerns and responsibilities. In Germany, there is a broad network of advice centres and organisations specifically tasked to support parents in bringing up your children.

Important: Children in Germany are entitled to a violence-free upbringing.  As regulated in §1631 of the Civil Code, punishing or injuring children physically or mentally is forbidden - that includes, for instance, slapping, shoving, shaking, locking up, pulling the hair, blows, injuries to the skin, beatings, kicking as well as humiliation and intimidations and alike. If the Youth Welfare Office learns of a child abused in any way from a neighbour, Daycare Centre or school, they are legally bound to investigate the allegations. You can find out more about the responsibilities of the Youth Welfare Office in our chapter "Youth welfare office".

When a child is born, the joy of parenting is often accompanied by various questions and concerns. Apart from general questions about pregnancy and childcare, refugee/migrant parents often have to address other issues, such as residence permit. In this chapter, you can learn about the residence rights to which you and your children are entitled when you have a child in Germany.

The Youth Welfare Office ("Jugendamt") in Germany has numerous tasks and responsibilities- and almost every family comes into contact with their staff at least once. The Youth Welfare Office not only looks after neglected or abused children and adolescents but also provides advice and support for all other families. If you have any questions regarding childcare or face any challenges concerning your children, you can always reach out to the staff of the Youth Welfare Office at your place of residence. Children can also contact the Youth Welfare Office directly if they face any problems with their parents.

Important: The  Youth Welfare Office is responsible for all families residing in Germany, regardless of their nationality or residence status.