Number format: this calculator uses German notation throughout — a comma is the decimal separator and a dot groups thousands. “1.234,56” means one thousand two hundred thirty-four euros and fifty-six cents. The figures come from German tax law, so they are shown the way German authorities write them.
Children in total
Anyone who has ever had a child pays no childless surcharge to long-term care insurance, for life.
In plain language
Anyone who has never had a child pays a surcharge on long-term care insurance from the age of 23 — 0,6 percentage points more of the gross wage. As soon as you have a child the surcharge falls away, and it does so permanently: it does not come back once the child has grown up. That is why the calculator asks for the number of children you have ever had, not for the children currently living with you.
In detail
The contribution surcharge for the childless is 0,6 percentage points and is borne by the employee alone (§ 55 (3) sentence 1 SGB XI). It applies from the end of the month in which the person turns 23 and falls away permanently with parenthood — which does not lapse when the child grows up. Evidence is given to the employer; without it the surcharge is levied. It is distinct from the reduction for several children under 25, which is a separate rule of its own. The surcharge is levied on gross pay up to the contribution assessment ceiling for long-term care insurance, so in 2026 on at most 5.812,50 € a month.
Worked example
4.000 € gross, tax class 1: with no children the employee's long-term care contribution is 96,00 € and the net pay 2.605,50 €. With one child the contribution falls to 72,00 € and the net pay rises to 2.622,17 € — a difference of 16,67 € a month. The 24,00 € lower contribution does not come through in full, because a smaller contribution also changes the pension expense allowance and with it the wage tax.
In brief
The surcharge of 0,6 contribution rate points applies only to childless people aged 23 and over.
Legal basis: § 55 Abs. 3 SGB XI · as at 2026