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I'm a foreign national. Can I get child benefit (Kindergeld) in Germany?

Yes, depending on your residence status. Turkish citizens can get Kindergeld if they work in a job with social insurance or receive unemployment or sickness benefit. It's also possible with permanent residence, a Blue Card or a permit allowing at least 6 months of work.

Foreign parents can also get Kindergeld (child benefit) if one of the following applies to you:

You're a citizen of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland and live or work in Germany.

You're a Turkish citizen (or a citizen of Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Morocco, Montenegro, Serbia or Tunisia) and work in a job subject to social insurance (sozialversicherungspflichtig beschäftigt), or receive unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld) or sickness benefit (Krankengeld).

You have permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis or Daueraufenthalt-EU), an EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU), an ICT card, or a residence permit that allows you to work in Germany for at least 6 months. Some permit types have extra conditions (for example being employed, or having been lawfully in Germany for at least 15 months).

You're a recognised refugee or entitled to asylum.

You can't get Kindergeld if you're in Germany only to study or for vocational training, or if, as an asylum seeker, you have an Aufenthaltsgestattung or a Duldung (except a Beschäftigungsduldung).

If your situation isn't clear, ask the Familienkasse (the Kindergeld office) or a free migration counselling service (MBE).

Where you can get help

This information is based on community experience and is not legal advice. Rules can change; check important things with the responsible office.

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