To send your child to the Kita, you need a Kitagutschein. It’s a voucher for free childcare.
Who can get a Kitagutschein?
Your child can get a Kitagutschein if they…
- Live in Berlin
- Are registered in Berlin
- Are not old enough to go to elementary school
Children get free Kita for up to 9 hours per day. It depends on their age, and on the parents’ situation.
- Under 1 year old
Your child can go to Kita or have a nanny (Tagesmutter or Kindertagespflege) for 4 to 5 hours per day. This is called half days (halbtags) childcare. You must prove that you need childcare with a work contract or freelance contracts. Children who live in homeless shelters or collective housing can also get halbtags care. Some Kitas don’t accept children under 1 year old.6 - Over 1 year old
Your child can go to Kita for 5 to 9 free hours per day.1 It depends on your situation:- Full-time (ganztags)
If both parents are work or study, your child can go to Kita 7 to 9 hours per day. You must prove that this is necessary.12 - Part-time (teilzeit)
By default, your child can go to Kita for 5 to 7 hours per day.
- Full-time (ganztags)
You can get more Kita time, but you must prove that it’s necessary.2 If you work situation changes, you can apply for more Kita hours later.
Cost of a Kitagutschein
In Germany, childcare is free for everyone. Some Kitas charge extra for meals and activities. The maximum cost is €100 per month.
When to apply for a Kitagutschein
You must apply 2 to 9 months before your start date. Your child must be at least 8 weeks old.3
It takes 6 to 8 weeks to get a Kitagutschein.4
How to apply
1. Fill the application form
Fill the form online, print it, and sign it.
2. Mail your documents
Mail your application documents to your local Jugendamt. Choose the Jugendamt where you live, not where your child goes to Kita.8
Send these documents with your application :5
- Application form
It must be signed by both parents10 - Proof of identity
- Copy of passport or Personalausweis
- For the child
- and for both parents
- and copy of your child’s birth certificate
- Copy of passport or Personalausweis
- Proof that you live in Berlin
A Meldebescheinigung. Your child’s name must be on it.
If only one parent applies, you also need…
- Power of attorney (Vollmacht)
If one parent applies for both parents - or Negativbescheinigung
If you have sole custody of your child. You can get it from the Jugendamt.7
If you apply for more Kita hours, you also need…11
- Proof of employment
An Arbeitgeberbescheinigung, or a letter from your employer that confirms your working hours. You can use this template. - or proof of self-employment
A Gewerbeschein, documents from the Finanzamt, or a letter from your tax advisor. - or proof of studies
An enrolment letter from your school. - and Elterngeldbescheid14
If your documents are not in German, get certified translations from Red Tape Translation or Lingoking.
You can also deliver the documents in person. When you apply in person, you get a receipt. While you wait for your Kitagutschein, use this receipt to apply for Kitas.
You can sometimes email the documents. For example, Jugendamt Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg accepts emails.13
3. Get your Kitagutschein
6 to 8 weeks later, you will get your Kitagutschein by post or email.4 It shows when you can send your child to the Kita, and for how many hours.
4. Find a Kita
Your Kitagutschein is valid for any Kita in Berlin. You have 7 months to find a Kita before your Kitagutschein expires.9
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