Hi,
I came for longterm work assignment in Germany on Feb´6 2006. I have residence permit till dec´06. I want to know the rules and regulations/eligibility regarding applying for kindergeld for my 2 kids.

Just go to the Arbeitsamt and ask for a form to apply for kindergeld. It is just a very simple form. Please make sure you have the birth certificates for them.

Chao.

Thanks for the reply. but what i´m not clear about is, can I apply for kindergeld since i´m on workpermit. Please suggest.

Since you are working, it means you have a workpermit and residence permit so you have the right to apply for it.That is normal. Your children must be born here before you get the geld for them. Since they are with you here, they have to get their money.

>> Your children must be born here before you get >> the geld for them. Since they are with you
>> here, they have to get their money.

But my children are not born here. can i still apply for the kindergeld for them. Please suggest.

Yes, you can. Doesn't matter where your kids are born, important thing is that they live with you in Germany. For me it took a while before I started getting the money - 2 or 3 months, but they paid for these months too.

Your children must not be born here before you get the geld for them.Since they are with you here, they have to get their money.

Sorry for not bringing the NOT. Since you are taking care of them you need a back up.

Hi, One of my colleagues told me that only those who have permanent residency in Germany are only eligible by law to claim kindergeld. They say that people coming on workpermits without permanent residency status are considered to be temporary residents and hence by law cannot apply for kindergeld.Even by mistake if some people on workpermits get it, the government can reclaim it at any time(did this happen to anybody anytime). Is this true...Please suggest.

Hi,

I don't think that is the truth anyway. Because,some greencards holders came with their kids but still got the kindergeld. As at now, I don't have permanent residence but I still get the kindergeld. The only reason why you will not kindergeld is when your stay have been terminated i.e to say, you have lost your job for a long time and you have been asked to go back to your home country. It happened to me but after I got another job, it has been reinstated. Please, I would say, go to the arbeitsamt tomorrow and ask for the form for kindergeld and then apply to see the out come.

Nobody will do anything to you for just applying. You can write your email address here so that I can contact you personally.

Good luck.

my advice is that when you go to apply take all documents you think you might need. requirements seem to be differnet depending on where you live. for example it seems that birth certificate would be needed but I didn't need to show my daughter's when I applied. take rental contract, registration doc, employment contract, all passports of family etc.

you will hate it if you wait in that line only to discover you need to return with one document you don't have with you.

Hi Mumuni,
thanx for ur reply.my mailid is: vego458@gmail.com.