Germany’s allowance law: what can kids buy on their own?
Kids can buy small things on their own if they pay for them right away with their own allowance: an ice cream, a comic book, a bag of carrots. Many people know this as the Taschengeldparagraph, the “allowance law.” But for an order you pay for later, a subscription or a payment plan, you need a parent’s yes. Without that yes, the contract hangs in the air, and if the parents say no, it’s gone.
Good to know: we explain how things work in Germany, where the books are set. Rules and numbers can be different where you live.
How the guinea pigs explain it in Volume 2: The Lazy Supplier
Can kids sign contracts on their own? The allowance law explained simply
Christian asks, and Mr. Grey answers honestly: Not one like this. Small things you pay for right away with your own allowance, like an ice cream, a comic or a bag of carrots, are fine. In Germany, lots of people know this as the allowance law (§ 110 of the German Civil Code, the “Taschengeldparagraph”). But an order on invoice or a subscription needs your parents’ yes. Without that yes, the contract is left hanging, and if your parents say no, it’s gone. The law looks out for kids until they can handle it themselves.
The rule is in Section 110 of the German Civil Code (§ 110 BGB). Under it, kids 7 and older can make a legally valid purchase, as long as they pay right away with money they were given to spend freely. You’ll find more about allowance itself, with a table, on our Allowance page.
- Paid right away and in full with your own allowance: that’s fine.
- Pay later, subscriptions, payment plans: only with your parents’ yes.
- The law looks out for kids until they can do it themselves.
Minderjährig
minor
In the books, every paragraph is in German with the English right below it. That way you pick up new words in both languages along the way.
Your turn: take the quiz
No account, no score, nothing gets saved. Just tap an answer.
1. What can a kid buy without their parents?
2. A kid signs up for a subscription without their parents, and the parents say no. What happens to it?
Volume 2: The Lazy Supplier
What is a contract? What rights do buyers have? For kids ages 10 and up, bilingual German and English, 46 pages, illustrated in full color throughout.
