The Hamburg Daycare Voucher System Explained Simply
In Hamburg, the daycare voucher (sometimes also called the childcare voucher ) covers a large portion of the costs for your child’s daycare. Every family in Hamburg is legally entitled to five hours of care, including lunch, per day. For these 5 hours, you pay no parental fee. Child benefit and lunch are included in this. You must apply for the daycare voucher at the relevant district office; it covers the cost of care and is mailed to you. It works like a check for the daycare center: every daycare center in Hamburg that participates in the voucher system accepts it.
How does the daycare voucher work in Hamburg?
The daycare voucher is a program offered by the City of Hamburg to support childcare. The voucher is used to Childcare at a daycare center or in a family daycare setting is paid for a specific number of hours per day. Families outline their childcare needs in their application (e.g., due to a job or education). The authorities then issue a voucher for 5, 6, 8, 10, or 12 hours of daily care. Daily 5-hour daily care is generally free of charge — parents don’t pay a cent for it. For each additional hour of care beyond 5 hours, a parental contribution , which parents pay themselves based on their income and family size. This fee is tiered and capped. For example, the maximum monthly copayment for 6-hour care is €115, and for 8 hours up to 191 €, and for 10 or 12 hours up to 204 €. Families with very low incomes or receiving government transfer payments (SGB II/XII, housing assistance, child allowance, etc.) are often completely exempt from payment. In addition, there is a Sibling Policy: Only the youngest child in the family attending daycare is charged the full fee; older children pay only one-third of the normal fee or, at a minimum, the minimum rate.
Apply for a Daycare Voucher in Hamburg
Child Day Care Department . Alternatively, the application for up to 25 hours per week can also be submitted submitted online via the Hamburg Service Portal . Find out early on (e.g., on your district office’s website or through Hamburg-Service) which office is responsible for your residential address. You will generally need to provide forms documenting your need for childcare (e.g., work schedules or a school certificate) as well as proof of family income.
Deadlines: An important tip: Submit your application 3 to 6 months before the desired daycare start date. This ensures the voucher can be processed in time. Without a valid voucher, you would otherwise have to pay the full daycare costs yourself. Once approved, you’ll receive the voucher by mail—it’s valid for two months and can be redeemed at any participating daycare center.
Steps for Applying:
- Preparation: Determine your individual care needs (hours per day) based on your work schedule, education, or family situation.
- Submit an application: Pick up the application form at the district office or download it online, fill it out, and submit all required documents (e.g., proof of income, proof of childcare).
- Wait for processing: The agency will review your needs and determine the amount of the grant.
- Receiving the voucher: You will receive the daycare voucher by mail and can redeem it at the daycare center of your choice.
Stadtküken is happy to help if you’re unsure about how to fill out the applications or have any questions. Just reach out to us—we advise parents on the administrative process and assist with applying for the daycare voucher.
How much do daycare costs amount to with a voucher?
The first 5 hours a day are free free. If you have your child in care for longer, you pay a parental fee that is is based on income . Typical maximum amounts:
- 6-hour program: up to 115 € monthly parent contribution,
- 8 hours: up to 191 €,
- 10 or 12 hours: up to 204 €.
Parents with low incomes or who receive government benefits (such as SGB II/XII, housing assistance) usually do not have to pay any premiums. The exact fees can be calculated using the daycare fee calculator for the City of Hamburg. In addition, each daycare center (including Stadtküken) may charge a small quality fee (e.g., €25–45), but this is separate from the city voucher. In any case, childcare is significantly more affordable with the childcare voucher than without it: Without the voucher, parents would have to cover the full cost of childcare themselves.
More Tips: Deadlines, Income Limits, Siblings
- Deadlines and Renewal: Be sure to reapply for the voucher regularly. If your childcare needs extend beyond the initial period, submit a renewal application in a timely manner (at least 3 months before the voucher expires). If your child is not yet receiving five hours of care per day one year after reaching school age (first day of school), you must submit a new application. If your child receives exactly 5 hours of daily childcare starting on their first birthday, the voucher remains valid continuously until they start school.
- Income-Based Tiered System: Parent contributions are based on household size and adjusted net family income. Families below certain income thresholds (according to SGB XII) are are fully exempt or pay only the minimum fee. Check with your district office for the current thresholds.
- Sibling Policy: If several siblings have a daycare spot at the same time, you usually pay only the standard fee for the youngest child. For the next oldest child, the fee is usually only one-third of the standard fee, and each additional sibling pays only the minimum rate.
- Stadtküken Advisory Service: We at Stadtküken know all the details about the voucher. If you have any questions about deadlines, forms, or special circumstances (e.g., special needs, daycare needed for multiple days), our team is here to help.
We also have a helpful YouTube video about starting preschool for you: It explains the Hamburg daycare voucher system is explained step by step. Check it out or reach out to us directly to make sure you take full advantage of all available funding options. The Stadtküken will guide you from the application process all the way to your child’s first day at daycare—we’ve got your back!