The last year and a half has been tough on everybody - not least children, who not only have missed out on school and seeing their friends, but also a lot of important, formative experiences. In order to support low-income families and help them participate in social and cultural life once again, the German government has decided to offer a one-off “leisure bonus”.

100-euro-bonus to help children catch up on experiences

Children and adolescents in Germany have experienced the coronavirus restrictions particularly severely - unable to attend school, cut off from their friends and classmates, and with hardly any opportunities to pursue hobbies and sports, they have missed out on a lot. Above all, this has affected children from low-income families. 

In order to let these children catch up and give them an opportunity to participate in more social and cultural activities, the German Bundestag has now approved a one-off “children’s leisure bonus” (Kinderfreizeitbonus) of 100 euros per child, which will be paid out to underprivileged families in August. 

Kinderfreizeitbonus part of Germany’s corona catch-up programme

The bonus can be used for holiday, sport or leisure activities, “depending on your mood”, according to Federal Family Minister Christine Lambrecht. It will be automatically paid out to families who are dependent on unemployment benefits (Hartz IV), are entitled to housing benefit or the child allowance (Kinderzuschlag), or who receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. 

The leisure bonus is part of the government’s 2-billion-euro “corona catch-up programme”, with which the federal and state governments want to cushion the long-term consequences of sustained restrictions on education leisure. The programme will also fund private tuition, school social work and holiday camps.