Kita in Germany: the childcare system and how to actually get a spot
Germany's daycare: a legal right to a place from age 1, costs from €0 (Berlin) to €700+ (Bavaria), applying early, the U3/Ü3 split, and the fee waivers.
Last updated: August 18, 2026
How does Kita (daycare) work in Germany and how do I get a place?
Every child has a legal right to a childcare place from age 1 until school (§24 SGB VIII) - but "legal right" and "actually finding a spot" are different things in big cities, so apply absurdly early (often while pregnant). Costs swing wildly by state: free in Berlin and Brandenburg, up to ~€700/month in Bavaria, income-scaled in between, with fee waivers for lower incomes. Kita covers roughly age 1-6 (Krippe/U3 for under-3s, Kindergarten/Ü3 for 3-6). If no Kita place exists, a Tagesmutter (childminder) is the funded alternative. Apply through your city's Kita portal or directly to Kitas.
What this guide covers
The system: Krippe, Kindergarten, and the legal right
German early childcare (collectively "Kita" - Kindertagesstätte) splits by age:
- Krippe (U3): for children under 3 - roughly age 1 to 3.
- Kindergarten (Ü3): age 3 to school start (~6) - this is the classic German Kindergarten.
- Many Kitas run both under one roof; the child moves up internally.
The headline right: since 2013, every child has a legal claim (Rechtsanspruch) to a childcare place from their first birthday until school age (§24 SGB VIII). In principle the local authority must provide one - and parents have (in theory) sued for compensation when none was offered. In practice, especially for under-3s in big cities, demand outstrips supply, so the "right" is real but you still have to hunt hard.
The cost reality: €0 to €700+, wildly by state
Kita fees are set at state and municipal level, so identical care costs completely different amounts by postcode:
| Where | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Berlin, Brandenburg | €0 (free, you pay only a small lunch/materials fee) |
| Hamburg, several others | Free for a basic daily-hours block, paid above it |
| Most states | Income-scaled - often €100-400/month |
| Bavaria | Up to ~€700/month, though with state subsidies reducing it |
Rules of thumb: younger children cost more (Krippe > Kindergarten), longer daily hours cost more, and higher family income means higher fees where they're income-scaled. Meals (Verpflegung) are usually a separate small charge everywhere, even where care is free.
Fee waivers: lower-income families can be exempt from Kita fees entirely - apply at the Jugendamt (youth welfare office); receiving Kinderzuschlag or certain benefits often triggers it (Kindergeld). The Deutscher Bildungsserver tracks each state's fee rules.
The golden rule: apply absurdly early
The single most important thing for expat parents: start looking the moment you know a child is coming, sometimes while still pregnant. In Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt, popular Kitas have waitlists of a year or more, and a spot for a 1-year-old often needs registering months before the first birthday.
- Register at multiple Kitas - there's no single queue; you apply to each, or via your city's central portal where one exists.
- Use your city's Kita portal (e.g. Berlin's Kita-Navigator/Kita-Gutschein system, Munich's, Hamburg's Kita-Gutschein) - many cities run an online place-search and voucher system.
- Don't rely on the legal right to save you - it's a backstop, not a fast lane. Treat finding a place as a competitive search like housing.
The voucher systems (Kita-Gutschein)
Several cities run a Kita-Gutschein (voucher) model: you apply to the Jugendamt for a voucher confirming your child's care entitlement and hours, then use it to secure a place at a participating Kita. Hamburg and Berlin are the best-known. The voucher sets how many hours of care the city funds; you pick the Kita that has a spot. Learn your city's specific system early - it's the mechanism, not an optional extra.
No Kita place? The Tagesmutter alternative
If no institutional Kita place is available, the funded fallback is Kindertagespflege - a Tagesmutter/Tagesvater (childminder):
- A qualified individual caring for a small group of children (usually up to 5) in their home or a rented space.
- State-subsidised like a Kita, so cost is comparable, and it counts toward fulfilling your legal childcare right.
- Often more flexible hours and a home-like, small-group setting - some parents prefer it for under-3s.
- Arranged via the Jugendamt or Tagespflege agencies; if the city can't offer a Kita place, they should point you here.
Practical tips for expat parents
- Language: most public Kitas run in German - which is actually a fast, natural way for young children to pick it up. Bilingual and English/international Kitas exist in big cities (pricier, private).
- Eingewöhnung (settling-in): German Kitas use a structured weeks-long settling-in period where a parent attends and gradually withdraws - budget 2-4 weeks where you (or a partner) must be available at the start.
- Coordinate with Elternzeit/Elterngeld: many parents time the return to work to when the Kita place begins (Elternzeit, Elterngeld).
- Opening hours vary - some close at 2-4pm, others offer full-day (Ganztags); check the hours match your work.
Frequently asked questions
Is my child entitled to a Kita place in Germany?
Yes - there's a legal right to a childcare place from the first birthday until school age (§24 SGB VIII). But in big cities demand exceeds supply for under-3s, so the right is a backstop, not a guarantee of an easy spot. Apply very early and to several Kitas.
How much does Kita cost?
It varies enormously by state: free in Berlin and Brandenburg, income-scaled (~€100-400) in most states, and up to ~€700/month in Bavaria. Younger children and longer hours cost more, and meals are a separate small charge. Lower-income families can get fees waived.
When should I apply for a Kita place?
As early as possible - often while pregnant, and typically months before the child's first birthday for a Krippe spot. Popular Kitas in Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt have waitlists of a year or more. Register at multiple Kitas or via your city's portal.
What is a Kita-Gutschein?
A childcare voucher some cities (Hamburg, Berlin) issue via the Jugendamt confirming your funded care hours, which you then use to secure a place at a participating Kita. Learn your city's specific voucher/application system early - it's how the funding works.
What if there's no Kita place available?
The funded alternative is a Tagesmutter/Tagesvater (childminder) caring for a small group, state-subsidised like a Kita and counting toward your legal childcare right. It's arranged via the Jugendamt and often offers more flexible hours.
What's the difference between Krippe and Kindergarten?
Krippe (U3) is for children under 3; Kindergarten (Ü3) is for age 3 to school start (~6). Many Kitas offer both. Krippe places are scarcer and pricier, and are where the big-city shortage bites hardest.
Do Kitas run in English?
Most public Kitas run in German, which young children absorb quickly. Bilingual and English/international Kitas exist in larger cities but are usually private and more expensive. For most expat families, a German-language Kita is both the available and the language-learning choice.
How does the settling-in period work?
German Kitas use a structured Eingewöhnung - a weeks-long settling-in where a parent attends and gradually withdraws. Budget 2-4 weeks at the start where you or a partner must be available, and time your return to work accordingly.
Related guides
Keep going: these guides continue where this one ends.
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