AfD Proposes EUR 2k Birth Cash Scheme For German Newborns Only

The far-right German political party Alternative for Germany has proposed a baby “welcome” payment of EUR 2,000 that would be exclusively for newborns with German citizenship.

The proposal, debated in the state parliament in Hannover on 20th November, would apply only to families living in the state for at least 12 months and whose baby holds German citizenship.

According to German media, 677,117 babies were born in Germany last year (2024). The party is demanding that for every third or fourth child, the EUR 2,000 (GBP 1,760) payment rise to EUR 2,500 (GBP 2,200).

It also stipulates that families should receive up to EUR 125 (GBP 110) monthly for up to 36 months after birth, provided the newborn holds German citizenship and parents have been resident in the state for at least 12 months.

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) also pointed to a long-term decline in birth rate, noting that the highest value recorded in Germany was in 1964 with 1.36 million births and the lowest in 2011 with 663,000 births.

AfD state-parliament member Vanessa Behrendt, 41, said: “We want Germans to be able to afford children. We want Germans to have children.”

She added: “Should we seriously pay welcome money for children of everyone who has just stepped off the Flixbus?”

Opposition parties responded sharply. Andrea Prell, 50, of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) said: “This is not a contribution to family support, but a sign of exclusion. Every family that lives and works here deserves our support.”

And Swantje Schendel, 37, of the Alliance 90/The Greens said families do not need symbolic cheques but structures.