Stays abroad where you get child benefit

If you decide to stay abroad for a limited time, there is usually always the possibility to receive child benefit. Under certain conditions, child benefit is paid out up to the age of 25. It is difficult to generalize these requirements, so we explain what you have to consider with the individual programs. In general, however, it is often the case that an individual decision is made as to whether there is a claim. This is particularly true for the au pair and work-and-travel programs.

Topics on this page

AU Pair
Demi Pair
Work-and-Travel
student exchange
language course
study abroad
voluntary service
internship
swell

AU Pair

The au pair program forms one borderline case, since the legal basis is unfortunately not clearly regulated. It is basically up to the respective clerk to decide whether there is a right to child benefit or not. There are cases in which au pairs have continued to receive child benefit. However, some of them also had to pay it back. Others have not even received the application. You have the option of child benefit if rejected sue. There are cases in which this has already been done successfully. Even if the legal situation in this case not entirely clear you should apply for child benefit in any case.

You are usually entitled to child benefit if you can prove that you are on during your au pair year Foreign language teaching are participating. However, you often have to prove at least 10 hours a week. Of course, this is not possible if you work as an au pair. You can take college courses, but these usually only last 3 hours / week. In addition, the foreign language lessons must extend over the entire period of the au pair year.

Demi Pair

In contrast to the au pair program, the demi-pair program is mainly an academic education. Since you go to university for at least 20 hours a week and also work as a nanny for the family, you meet the requirement for child benefit.

Work-and-Travel

Basically at work and Travel no Child benefit paid. Child benefit is usually only paid if you are completing an apprenticeship or study and for this purpose have foregone gainful employment. However, exceptions also confirm the rule here. Some work and travelers are said to do so Receive child benefit if they e.g. have been able to demonstrate a language course of at least 10 hours per week or have completed an unpaid compulsory internship as part of the desired course. In any case, it always pays off with the Familienkasse ask.

student exchange

If you decide to take part in a student exchange abroad, child benefit will be easy paid the entire time. That is based on the decision of the Familienkasse, that all children under the age of 18 are always entitled to child benefit. If you turn 18 during the student exchange, you are still entitled to child benefit. In this case, it is assumed that you will start an apprenticeship or study after the exchange.

language course

If you take part in a language course as a minor (e.g. during the summer holidays), the child benefit will continue to be paid automatically. If you want to take a language course as an over-18-year-old, it must not last longer than 4 months and should be in the transition period between graduation and the start of studies or training. So the right to child benefit remains. The same remains Claim, if you are studying at a university during your apprenticeship or study language course participating abroad.

study abroad

You can continue to receive child benefit even while studying abroad. If you opt for a complete study abroad, this is considered training (of course only if you have not had any other initial training). However, one must Binding to Germany remain. You have to prove that you continue to commute regularly to Germany to visit relatives or friends. If you want to spend a semester or two abroad, the child benefit will continue to be paid. In this case, the semester abroad is considered part initial training. From a study stay of more than 12 months abroad, the connection to Germany must be proven again.

voluntary service

If a voluntary social or ecological year (FSJ / FÖJ) is completed abroad, child benefit will continue to be paid. This is secured by law and may also have an impact on the duration of child benefit payments. Child benefit is always a maximum to Completed at the age of 25 regardless of the status of your education. However, this period can be extended if, among other things, has worked as a development worker. That will also be in the individual cases decided and does not apply to every program that runs on a voluntary basis.

internship

The same applies to an internship abroad requirements like for a domestic Internship. As long as knowledge, skills and experience for vocational training are imparted, there is a right to child benefit. Internships are often required for training or studying. In this case, the claim continues to exist. However, the internship is not in any context with your education or your studies, the child benefit payments are stopped.