Vacation for everyone! Families in Schleswig-Holstein benefit from grants

Vacation for everyone! Families in Schleswig-Holstein benefit from grants

In Schleswig-Holstein, many families are affected by financial uncertainty, especially in summer, where the urge for vacation becomes unmistakable. According to the Federal Statistical Office, every fifth in Germany cannot afford a one -week vacation. For Schleswig-Holstein there is an alarming picture: every fifth child lives below the poverty line. In order to meet these challenges, the country launched a funding program eight years ago that is intended to help families with low incomes and single parents to finance a vacation together.

The programs as part of the youth holiday directive offer grants for family vacations and children's free time. However, the opposition in the Kiel state parliament criticizes that the awareness of this assistance leaves much to be desired. In fact, only 250 families benefited from the grant in 2024, while only 117 applications were made two years earlier.

funding opportunities for families

Families with low incomes and single parents can apply for grants of up to 18 euros per person and the travel day. This grant can cover up to 65 % of the total holiday costs and applies to travel with a duration of at least 5 and at most 14 days. This also includes trips abroad. The applications must be submitted to the responsible youth welfare office or the state youth ring at the latest one month before departure. In retrospect, the program also promotes holiday measures with up to 12 euros per day and child.

Financial need is usually proven by the reference of certain social benefits, such as SGB II (Hartz IV), SGB XII (social assistance) or housing benefit. A maximum of 230 % of the social welfare regulatory rates applies to children with three or more children. Families with only one or two children have to be satisfied with 180 % of the regulations.

call for better announcement

The Südschleswig Voters' Association (SSW) has underlined the importance of funding, but also denounced poorly awareness. A stronger application by the programs in schools, daycare centers, job centers and family centers is considered necessary. Added to this is the demand of the Social Association of Germany in Schleswig-Holstein after an unbureaucratic access to these support offers.

A survey showed that 13 % of parents have difficulty financing leisure activities such as visits to the swimming pool or visiting the cinema. Despite the challenges, there are numerous inexpensive or even free activities for children and parents during the summer vacation in Südholstein. However, it remains to be hoped that the educational work among the population can use more families the opportunity they are entitled to.

For detailed information about the grants and the application process, interested parties can be interested in the pages of and visit