Applying for child benefit

You can apply for child benefit in writing using the form provided. You also have the option of filling out the applications for child benefit from birth and the application for child benefit for children when you reach the age of majority online. You can upload proofs directly. The data is then transmitted directly to the family fund.

For an electronic application with an electronic proof of identity:

• Go to the website of the Family Fund of the Federal Employment Agency and call up the online application. For authentication, you need either
  • the new identity card with online ID function or
  • the eID card for EU citizens and nationals of the European Economic Area, or
  • an electronic residence title, or
  • an ELSTER certificate.
• Fill out the online application. The completed online application is sent to the family fund.
• When applying for child benefit from birth and for children when they reach the age of majority, additional evidence can be uploaded and transmitted to the family fund.

For an analogous application:

If you do not wish to apply electronically, you must apply for child benefit in writing. For this purpose, you can have the online completed application form sent to you for signature or print out the form yourself. Please send the signed application by post to your responsible family fund.

• Go to the website of the Family Fund of the Federal Employment Agency, call up the online application and fill it out accordingly.
• Print out the completed application form or have it printed out and sent to the family fund.
• You can also print out the application form directly and fill it in by hand.
• For your application, please use the forms that you can obtain from your responsible family insurance fund or on the website of the Federal Employment Agency.
• Send the signed application by post to the family fund responsible for you.
• The Familienkasse will inform you by post whether you are entitled to child benefit.
• If your application has been approved, the Familienkasse will pay you the child benefit monthly.
• If you work in the public sector or receive pensions, you may receive child benefit from your employer or employer, unless he has waived his special responsibility. In this case, you must also submit the application to your employer or employer.

You must inform your family fund immediately if anything changes that could affect child benefit (for example, a child drops out of school, you or another parent takes up employment abroad).

You can find the family fund responsible for you via the department finder on the website of the Family Fund of the Federal Employment Agency.

If you work in the public sector and your employer or employer has not yet waived his special responsibility, please contact the department of your employer or employer responsible for your child benefit.

You can find the family fund responsible for you via the department finder on the website of the Family Fund of the Federal Employment Agency.

If you work in the public sector and your employer or employer has not yet waived his special responsibility, please contact the department of your employer or employer responsible for your child benefit.

Requirements that apply to you as a parent:

• In Germany, they are subject to unlimited income tax liability or are assessed as such. This also applies to nationals of the EU, EEA or Switzerland. A domestic residence is not mandatory.
• For EU or EEA nationals moving to Germany from August 2019, further requirements apply. From the 4th month of entry, the requirements of the Freedom of Movement Act must be met. Union citizens have the right to free movement if they:
  • are self-employed or employed
  • are jobseeker or involuntarily unemployed
  • be able to derive their right to freedom of movement from a family member
  • have sufficient resources and health insurance cover, or
  • have acquired a right of permanent residence.

• Although you are not a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you have a valid settlement permit or a specific other residence permit entitling you to engage in gainful employment or
• You are a legally recognised refugee or entitled to asylum.

Requirements that apply to your child:

• Your child must be domiciled or habitually resident in Germany or in another EU, EEA state or Switzerland.
• You may also be entitled to child benefit if your child lives in a household in the EU, EEA or Switzerland, but for example you or the other parent is subject to unlimited income tax liability in Germany or is assessed as such.

• The tax identification number of the child or children,
• the tax identification number of the parent applying for child benefit, and
• possibly additional documents (e.g. proof of school/vocational training of the child, severely disabled person's pass).

None

There is no deadline. Note: After receipt of the application, child benefit is paid retroactively for a maximum of the last six months.

Forms available: Yes
Written form required: Yes
Informal application possible: Yes
Personal appearance required: No
Online services available: Yes

• Objection

The competent family fund checks at certain intervals whether you still meet the requirements for entitlement to child benefit.

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Family Fund of the Federal Employment Agency