Kindergeld
Since Poland’s accession to the European Union, Polish citizens who live and work in Germany have been able to apply for child benefit. This is a cash benefit for children that is paid out by the family fund [Familienkasse]. Below you will find out who can apply for benefits, how much child benefit is, what documents are required and much more valuable information about German child benefit.
Who is entitled to child benefit Kindergeld?
The parent/legal guardian of the child who is employed in Germany or runs a business there is entitled to German child benefit.
To apply for child benefit, you must meet the following requirements: You must be subject to so-called unlimited tax liability, i.e. work in Germany continuously for at least 183 days a year or do not exceed 10% of the total income for the respective year from income earned abroad.
After meeting certain requirements, people who are sent to work in Germany by a Polish company are also entitled to child benefit. The children must live permanently in the applicant's household.
Which children are entitled to child benefit?
The child benefit is granted for children up to the age of 18. After reaching the age of majority, the payment will continue if the following requirements are met:
The child continues school, studies or vocational training until the age of 25
The child is in the period between graduating from one school and starting training at another school (however, such a break cannot last longer than 4 months).
The child can’t start or continue his or her studies due to a lack of study places
The child is registered with the employment office as an unemployed, actively looking person
The child has a physical or mental disability
In addition, the child is not allowed to work more than 20 hours per week, regardless of income. German child benefit is available to children who live in the European Union. It is not necessary that the child has German citizenship or is registered in Germany. Therefore, nothing stands in the way of receiving child benefit for children who live permanently in Poland.
Child benefit is available for:
legitimate children
recognized children
adopted children
children outside of marriage
Children of the spouse who live in the applicant's household
Siblings and grandchildren that the applicant has taken into his household
other children who live permanently in the applicant's household (care children).
How much is the child benefit?
Can I apply for child benefit for previous years?
You can apply for child benefit up to 4 years backwards. A big advantage is that you don’t have to submit separate documents for individual years. Only one application is submitted for the entire period!
What reduces the amount of child benefit?
Those who simultaneously receive Polish child benefit for their children in Poland should expect that the German family fund will pay them the child benefit minus the amounts received in Poland. You must submit a detailed summary of the benefit received, for example issued by MOPS, GOPS, ROPS institutions or the Social Security Agency (what type of benefit, for which child(ren), reference period, monthly amount).
If the applicant does not receive benefits in Poland, he or she should provide a certificate from the Polish authority about non-receipt/provision of benefits.
How long does it take until I receive benefits?
The decision on the granting of benefits is usually issued within 3 to 6 months. The waiting time for a decision depends on many factors: whether the applicant submits all documents required for child benefit; quality of communication between the family fund and the Polish authorities; how quickly the customer responds to requests from the German Family Fund regarding completing documents, answering inquiries, etc.
What documents are needed to apply for child benefit?
International marriage certificate and birth certificate of the children if they are legitimate children. In the case of a complete birth certificate, a certified translation into German by a sworn German translator is also required.
For divorced/separated people, a court decision must be presented together with a certified translation into German by a sworn translator.
Certificate of joint registration of the entire family in Poland from the city or municipal office (together with the certified translation into German).
Registration certificate, apartment rental agreement, if applicable, details of the last German residential address.
Copies of the applicant's ID card and the child's spouse/legal guardian.
Decision about the granting/non-granting of benefits in the other EU country (from ROPS/MOPS/GOPS/ZUS).
Electronic income tax certificate (for each working year up to four years back).
Confirmation of school education for the child if the child is over 18 years old.
If the child's legal guardian is not a family member, e.g. Grandmother/Grandfather, a declaration from the parents is required that they will entrust this person with the care of the children. This declaration must be submitted together with a certified translation into German.
German income tax assessments from the last few years.
If you run a business in Germany, you must submit a copy of your entry to the trade register.
Caution!
The child benefit is paid from the time the applicant registers in Germany until the date of the decision, then monthly until the entitlement to benefits expires (e.g. termination of work in Germany, the child turns 18 and begins employment). However, you must remember to urgently report this fact to the family fund. If no notification is made, the family fund can demand the return of benefits received unlawfully.
The notification of changes in your life situation should be done on a special form – we will be happy to take care of all the formalities for you. If your application for child benefit is rejected for any reason, you can appeal the decision of the family fund to the regional administrative court.
Child benefit, parental benefit 500+ and Polish child benefit
500+ is the parental benefit paid in Poland, the purpose of which is to support the upbringing of children by providing special benefits. This benefit is paid independently of Polish child benefit. In this regard, in Poland the amount of PLN 500 per month is paid for:
every child, regardless of family income
pierwsze dziecko, jeśli dochód na osobę w rodzinie nie przekracza 800 zł
pierwsze dziecko, jeśli dochód na osobę w rodzinie nie przekracza 1200 zł, a którekolwiek z dzieci w rodzinie jest niepełnosprawne
It is possible to receive both 500+, Polish child benefit and German child benefit in Germany. How much is the child benefit then? Well, his amount will be reduced by the amount of 500+ and the Polish child benefit. The Marshal’s Office and the Polish Social Security Institute are the responsible authorities for questions relating to 500+ and Polish child benefit.
Where can I apply for child benefit?
In order to receive child benefit, you must submit the application for child benefit to the family fund (Familienkasse).
Below you will find a list of documents to download and an application form with which you can apply for child benefit:
List of documents and child benefit form
All relevant applications and forms are also available at TKTRANSLATE at Str. Staszica 12/1 in Krosno/Poland. We are also happy to provide any information over the telephone +48 13 49 32 575 or Mail biuro@tktranslate.pl
We constantly take care of all the formalities for you and monitor the status of your child benefit application in the German family fund.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU!