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Kita in Hamburg: the Kita-Gutschein and XL voucher

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This page only covers what is different in Hamburg. The rules, documents and deadlines are the same everywhere — see the national guide: Kita (daycare).

In shortIn Hamburg you apply for a Kita-Gutschein (childcare voucher) online or at the childcare department of your Bezirksamt, 3 to 6 months before care should start. You then have two months to redeem it at any participating Kita. Basic care of five hours a day with lunch is free, but you still need a voucher for it. Funding only starts from the date you apply.
On this page
  1. How Hamburg's system works
  2. When and where to apply
  3. The XL voucher
  4. What it costs in Hamburg
  5. Hamburg at a glance

How Hamburg's system works

Hamburg uses a voucher system in three steps:

  1. Apply for a Kita-Gutschein (Kita voucher).
  2. Redeem it within two months at any Kita that takes part in the voucher system. You find and choose the Kita yourself.
  3. The Kita bills the city directly. You pay only a share of the costs (Familieneigenanteil, the family contribution), if any.

For a childminder (Kindertagespflege), you get an approval notice naming the childminder instead of a voucher.

When and where to apply

  • Timing: apply three to six months before you want care to start. For a child with a (possible) disability aged three or older, apply at least six months ahead.
  • Online: through the city's online service. You can attach documents digitally.
  • On paper: forms are available to download, from the childcare departments (Abteilung Kindertagesbetreuung) of the district offices (Bezirksämter), and from most Kitas.
  • Who: you must have custody and live with your child in a household in Hamburg.

The XL voucher

Since January 2025, many families only need to apply once:

  • If your child is at least one year old when care starts and needs up to five hours a day with lunch, you automatically receive two vouchers together: an XL-Krippen-Gutschein (until the 3rd birthday) and an XL-Elementar-Gutschein (from the 3rd birthday until school starts).
  • For childminders, care of up to 25 hours a week gets an approval valid from the 1st to the 3rd birthday.
  • If you later need different hours, you must apply again.

What it costs in Hamburg

The basic entitlement of five hours a day including lunch is free of fees (beitragsfreie Grundbetreuung). For longer hours, Hamburg charges a family contribution, and you need to show a reason for the extra hours (for example work). Details are in the Kita guide and on the city's page.

Hamburg at a glance

Topic Hamburg
Entitlement document Kita-Gutschein (XL voucher for up to 5 h/day)
Apply 3–6 months before the start
Where Online, or Bezirksamt childcare department
Redeem Within 2 months at any participating Kita
Basic care 5 h/day with lunch, free
Paid backwards? No — funding only from the application date

Official Hamburg sources

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