Should you have lost your job you may, under certain conditions, be entitled to unemployment benefit. In order to do so you must belong to one of the following groups of persons:

1. You come from the European Union (EU), are a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA) or of Switzerland.
2. You possess a valid settlement or residential permit that entitles you to work in Germany.

You must also fulfil further conditions for Unemployment Benefit.

Citizen's benefit is a state benefit if you are unable to finance your own living expenses. This may be the case if you do not have a job or you earn very little. The Jobcenters are responsible for citizen’s benefit.

You can also receive citizen’s benefit if you are from abroad. To do this, however, you have to fulfil certain requirements.

On the page citizen’s benefit for People from Abroad, you can find out more about the requirements and how to apply.

Child benefit can be paid for own, foster or adopted children, grandchildren, children of the spouse or the civil partner from birth until the age of 18 – in certain cases also beyond that age. Furthermore you have to belong to one of the following groups of persons:

1. German citizens, if their place of residence or the place where they usually stay is located in Germany.
2. Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or of Switzerland if their place of residence or the place where they usually stay is located in Germany and who are entitled to freedom of movement.
3. Persons, who live in another country and who are either wholly liable to pay tax in Germany or who are treated accordingly.
4. Foreign nationals in possession of  a valid settlement permit. Certain other resident permits may also entitle to child benefit.
5. Refugees and persons entitled to asylum who have been incontestably recognised as such.

This list is not exhaustive. Possible claims based on international and supranational law or the Federal Child Benefits Act are not taken into account here.

You must also fulfil other conditions for Child Benefit.

If your country of employment differs from your country of residence, specific rules apply to the payment of Child Benefit. Please find more information in our videos. One video regarding child benefit in cross border cases is available in English. Another one is available in Polish. 

 

Child allowance provides assistance to families on low incomes. You receive this supplement on top of child benefit. Anyone is entitled to this who belongs to one of the following groups of persons:

1. You come from the European Union (EU), are a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA) or of Switzerland.
2. You belong to the group of persons who have been incontestably recognised as entitled to asylum.

You must also fulfil some other conditions for child allowance.

Tipp:Good to know: there are also some other financial benefits which you might be able to receive. We will be glad to inform you what these are and where you may apply for them.