Kindergeld and Elterngeld as a foreigner in Germany

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens

You are treated like German citizens: if you live in Germany, you are entitled to Kindergeld and Elterngeld. For Kindergeld you additionally fill in the “Anlage EU”; during the first three months after arriving you are only entitled if you work.

Non-EU citizens (e.g. USA, India, Japan, Turkey, UK)

• Permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or EU Blue Card: entitled to Kindergeld and Elterngeld.
• Residence permit that allows employment (e.g. § 18a/18b AufenthG skilled worker, family reunion): entitled.
• Residence permit for studies or vocational training: Kindergeld only if you are employed in Germany or on parental leave; Elterngeld usually not.
• Asylum procedure (Aufenthaltsgestattung) or toleration (Duldung): usually not entitled.
• Always enclose a copy of your residence permit with the application.

Tax ID, registered address and bank account

Applicant and child need a German tax ID (Steuer-ID) – the child’s arrives automatically by post after the birth registration. You also need a registered address in Germany (Anmeldung) and a bank account; a German IBAN is standard, a SEPA account abroad is accepted.

Children living abroad

Kindergeld is paid for children living in Germany or in another EU/EEA country (adjusted to that country’s price level). For children living outside the EU there is usually no Kindergeld.

The forms are German only – here is how to manage

The official forms (KG 1, Anlage Kind and your federal state’s Elterngeld application) exist only in German and must be completed in German. With ElternKinderGeld you answer the questions in English; the German forms are filled in automatically and you get a check sheet in English to compare every entry.