You’ve found an apartment, registered your address, even got your Aufenthaltserlaubnis - and then you realize you need to start working, but there’s nowhere to put your kid. Daycare in Germany is called Kita (Kindertagesstätte), and getting your child enrolled can take anywhere from two weeks to several months. This article covers which documents you’ll need, what needs translating, how much everything costs, and how to avoid ending up at the bottom of the waiting list.
Rechtsanspruch - your child has a legal right to a Kita place¶
Before diving into paperwork, here’s the key thing: every child in Germany from age 1 has a legal right to a place in daycare or Kindertagespflege (family daycare, Tagesmutter). It’s not a privilege - it’s the law. § 24 SGB VIII has been in effect since 2013. From age 3, the right specifically covers a Kita place.
This applies to Ukrainian children with temporary protection under § 24 AufenthG too. Even if you only have a Fiktionsbescheinigung (a temporary certificate they give you while processing your residence permit) - the right to a Kita place already exists.
Temporary protection for Ukrainians has been extended until March 4, 2027, so the legal status is stable.
Which documents you need for Kita registration¶
The exact list depends on the federal state, city, and even the specific Kita. But there’s a standard set that’s required almost everywhere:
1. Parents’ and child’s passport¶
Your passport (or ID card) and the child’s. The Kita will just make a copy - no translation needed.
2. Birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde)¶
This is the main document to verify the child’s age and identity. Most Kitas ask to see the original, and some require a certified translation (beglaubigte Übersetzung) into German.
Even if a specific Kita doesn’t require a translation - get one anyway. You’ll need the birth certificate for Kindergeld, Elterngeld, school registration, and a dozen other procedures. One certified translation - and you use it everywhere.
Cost of a certified birth certificate translation: approximately 50-75 euros. Through ChatsControl you can order a translation online in minutes.
3. Meldebescheinigung (proof of registration)¶
The document from Einwohnermeldeamt confirming your address. It’s already in German - nothing to translate.
4. Aufenthaltserlaubnis or Fiktionsbescheinigung¶
Document confirming legal residence in Germany. Also already in German.
5. Vaccination card (Impfpass)¶
This is critical - without proof of measles vaccination, the Kita can’t accept your child. More on this below.
6. Doctor’s certificate (ärztliche Bescheinigung)¶
Some Kitas (especially in Berlin) require a certificate from a German pediatrician confirming the child is healthy and fit to attend daycare. In Berlin, this certificate must be no older than 14 days. Just book an appointment with a Kinderarzt and ask for a Kita-Bescheinigung.
7. Kita-Gutschein (in Berlin and Hamburg)¶
In some cities, you need to obtain a special voucher (Gutschein) from the Jugendamt before looking for a Kita. This is a separate process - details below.
Masernschutz - measles vaccination is mandatory¶
Since March 1, 2020, Germany’s Masernschutzgesetz (Measles Protection Act) has been in effect. Without proof of vaccination, the Kita is legally required to refuse your child - it’s not the individual daycare’s decision, it’s the law.
What exactly is required¶
| Child’s age | What’s needed |
|---|---|
| Under 1 year | Nothing - requirement doesn’t apply |
| 1-2 years | At least 1 measles vaccination OR proof of immunity |
| 2+ years | At least 2 measles vaccinations OR proof of immunity |
How to provide proof¶
There are several options:
- Impfausweis (vaccination certificate) - if you have an international one, they may accept it without translation
- Ukrainian Impfpass with certified translation - the translator must be a beeidigter Übersetzer (sworn translator)
- Certificate from a German doctor - a pediatrician can transfer data from the Ukrainian Impfpass without a translation and issue their own confirmation
- Blood test (Titerbestimmung) - shows whether antibodies to measles are present, costs 15-25 euros
The easiest path for Ukrainian families: book an appointment with a Kinderarzt, bring your Ukrainian vaccination card, and ask the doctor to transfer the data into the German system. If vaccinations are missing - the doctor will administer the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine on the spot.
If you try to enroll without Masernschutz, the Kita is required to report it to the Gesundheitsamt (health authority). Fines for non-compliance can reach 2,500 euros. Don’t ignore this.
Kita-Gutschein: how to get a daycare voucher¶
In Berlin and Hamburg, you need to get a Kita-Gutschein from the Jugendamt (youth welfare office) before searching for a Kita.
Berlin¶
- Where to apply: Jugendamt of your Bezirk (district), online form at fms.verwalt-berlin.de/kita
- When to apply: between 9 and 2 months before your desired start date
- Processing time: 6-8 weeks (sometimes faster)
- Cost of the Gutschein: free
- Process: fill out the online form (German only - use your browser’s translator), print, sign, and mail to Jugendamt
The Gutschein specifies how many hours of care you’re entitled to: - Teilzeit (part-time): 5-7 hours per day - Ganztags (full-time): 7-9 hours - Erweitert (extended): 9+ hours (requires proof of employment or studies)
Children from age 1 automatically get at least 7 hours. The Gutschein is valid across all of Berlin - you can use it in any Bezirk.
Hamburg¶
The first 5 hours per day (30 hours per week) are free from birth. Additional hours require a voucher, with costs based on income.
Other cities¶
In most other cities, a Kita-Gutschein isn’t needed - you register directly with the daycare.
How much does Kita cost in Germany¶
Prices vary dramatically from state to state. Here’s the overview:
Where Kita is free¶
| Federal state | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Berlin | Completely free for all ages. Parents only pay for meals - about 23 euros per month |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Free for all ages, up to 10 hours per day |
| Rheinland-Pfalz | Free from age 2 |
| Brandenburg, Bremen, Hessen, Niedersachsen | Free from age 3 |
| Hamburg | First 5 hours free from birth |
| NRW, Thüringen | Last 2 years before school free |
Where Kita costs money¶
In Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Sachsen, Schleswig-Holstein, fees depend on income:
- Nursery (Krippe, under 3): 100-400 euros per month (full-day can go up to 1,000 euros for high earners)
- Kindergarten (3-6): 20-250 euros per month
- Bayern: there’s a 100 euro per month subsidy per child
If you receive Bürgergeld or social benefits¶
Kita fees are fully waived. The Jugendamt covers costs. Additionally, through the Bildung und Teilhabe (BuT) program: - Lunch at Kita - fully covered - Excursions and trips - fully covered - Clubs, sports, music school - up to 15 euros per month
How to find a Kita place - the reality¶
Let’s be honest: Germany has a shortage of approximately 273,000 Kita places for children under 3. Finding a spot isn’t a “submit application and start next week” situation. It can take months.
Step-by-step strategy¶
Step 1: Register on your city’s portal
- Berlin: kita-navigator.berlin.de
- Munich: kitafinder.muenchen.de
- Hamburg: hamburg.de/kinderbetreuung
- NRW: KiTa-Finder NRW
Step 2: Apply to 5-10 Kitas at once
Don’t pick one “perfect” daycare - apply to every one you can reasonably get to. The Kita year starts August 1, with most applications due in January through March for the following August.
Step 3: Visit Kitas in person
Most Kitas hold a Tag der offenen Tür (open day) or Besichtigung (tour). It’s useful for you and for the Kita - they see you’re genuinely interested.
Step 4: Follow up
Call a week or two after submitting your application. Ask if there’s a spot available, how long the waiting list is. Sometimes places open up unexpectedly and go to families who stay in touch.
Step 5: If there’s no place - contact Jugendamt
Write an official letter to the Jugendamt referencing § 24 SGB VIII and request a place. If they refuse - you can file a Widerspruch (formal objection) and then take it to court (Verwaltungsgericht). The municipality is legally required to either provide a place or cover the cost of alternative care - for example, a Tagesmutter (family daycare, starting from 5 euros per hour).
What to translate and what not - summary table¶
| Document | Translation needed? | What type? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parents’ / child’s passport | No | - | - |
| Birth certificate | Yes (recommended) | Certified (beglaubigte Übersetzung) | 50-75 euros |
| Meldebescheinigung | No (document is in German) | - | - |
| Aufenthaltserlaubnis | No (document is in German) | - | - |
| Vaccination card (Impfpass) | Yes, or doctor transfers data | Certified translation OR doctor does it | 30-50 euros (translation) or 15-25 euros (blood test) |
| Doctor’s certificate | No (issued in German) | - | - |
Total translation costs for Kita: 50-125 euros. If you’ve already translated the birth certificate for Kindergeld or registration - no new translation needed, use the same one.
What to expect in the first days: Eingewöhnung¶
Eingewöhnung (settling-in period) is the first 2-6 weeks at Kita when your child gets used to the new environment. Most Kitas use the Berliner Modell or Münchener Modell for adaptation:
- First days: you sit with your child in the group for 1-2 hours
- Gradually, time without you increases
- After 2-4 weeks, the child stays for the full day
This isn’t just a formality - without completing Eingewöhnung, the Kita won’t take your child for a full day. Plan your return to work with these 2-6 weeks in mind.
Practical tips¶
Start looking for a Kita right away. Even if you just arrived - register on the portal and submit applications. Waiting lists can be several months long, especially for children under 3.
Keep all Ukrainian documents in one folder. Birth certificate, vaccination card, medical records - you might need any of them. Better to have an extra translation than to scramble at the last minute.
Sort out measles vaccination first. Without Masernschutz, the Kita won’t even discuss a place with you. Book a Kinderarzt appointment right after arriving.
Don’t worry about the language barrier. Many Jugendamt offices have interpreters or forms in multiple languages. The website germany4ukraine.de has current information about Ukrainian families’ rights. You can also reach out to volunteer organizations that help with paperwork.
FAQ¶
Which documents need to be translated for Kita registration?¶
For Kita, you typically need a certified translation of the child’s birth certificate (50-75 euros) and a translation of the vaccination card (30-50 euros). An alternative for vaccinations - a German pediatrician can transfer data from the Ukrainian card without a translation. Passport, Meldebescheinigung, and Aufenthaltserlaubnis don’t need translating.
How much does Kita cost in Germany for Ukrainians?¶
It depends on the federal state. In Berlin, Kita is completely free (parents only pay for meals - 23 euros per month). In most states, it’s free from age 3. If you receive Bürgergeld, fees are waived entirely in any state. In states where fees apply, costs range from 20 to 400 euros per month depending on income.
Will Kita accept a child who doesn’t speak German?¶
Yes. Kita is exactly where children learn the language. Educators are used to working with children who don’t speak German - especially since 2022, when many Ukrainian families arrived. Some Kitas even have Ukrainian-speaking staff.
How long is the wait for a Kita place?¶
From a few weeks to several months. For children under 3 (Krippe), the wait is longer - Germany has a deficit of about 273,000 places. Recommendation: apply to 5-10 Kitas at once and start looking as early as possible.
What is a Kita-Gutschein and do I need one?¶
A Kita-Gutschein (daycare voucher) is required in Berlin and Hamburg. It’s a free document from the Jugendamt confirming your right to a place and the number of care hours. You need to apply 2-9 months before your desired start date. In other cities, a Gutschein usually isn’t needed.
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