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Overview

If you are staying here in Germany with your family, you are entitled to child benefit under certain conditions. You can find an overview of the information here.

 

Citizens of EU countries, Switzerland and the European Economic Area

Citizens of the member states of the European Union as well as of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland are entitled to child benefit if

  • they are gainfully employed in Germany or
  • live in Germany.
 

The same conditions apply to all of them as to German citizens.

 

Citizens of non-EU countries

Intergovernmental agreements

Citizens of Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Morocco, Serbia, Montenegro, Tunisia and Turkey can receive child benefit on the basis of the respective intergovernmental agreements. In order to do so, they must be employed in Germany as employees subject to compulsory unemployment insurance or, for example, receive unemployment benefit or sickness benefit.

Other non-EU citizens

Other foreigners may be entitled to child benefit if

  • their stay in Germany is likely to be permanent according to the type of residence title they hold

  • gainful employment is permitted and is also expected to be permanent

Anyone who holds a settlement permit fulfils these requirements (a residence permit issued before 1 January 2005 and an unlimited residence permit continue to be regarded as a settlement permit).

Those in possession of a residence permit can only meet these eligibility requirements if he or she is also entitled to gainful employment in Germany or has already been permitted to work.

 

No child benefit is paid to foreign parents

  • who hold a residence permit for the purpose of education or training
  • who have a residence permit for the purpose of in-company training and further education
  • who have a work permit for a maximum period only (i.e.: the Federal Employment Agency has permitted employment for a limited period only, for example for seasonal workers or au-pairs)
  • who have a residence permit in cases of hardship
  • who have a residence permit for temporary protection
  • who have a residence permit in the case of suspension of deportation or due to the existence of obstacles to leaving the country.
 

In the case of these persons, it is assumed that they are only staying in Germany temporarily. This also applies to persons who, as asylum seekers, have a residence permit or are only staying in the Federal territory on a tolerated basis. In this case, there is no entitlement to child benefit even if they are permitted to work.

Exception

Child benefit is possible after a legal, permitted or tolerated stay in Germany of three years.

A further prerequisite is an existing legitimate employment relationship or the receipt of current cash benefits in accordance with the Social Code - Third Book (employment promotion) or the taking of parental leave.

Related informations about the topic Child benefit in Germany

  • familienportal.de- A service of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth