Germany Transfers Over €500 Million in Child Benefits to Foreign Accounts in 2024

The payments, representing about 1% of total child benefit spending, primarily support EU workers with children living abroad.

Germany's Federal Employment Agency confirmed over €500 million in child benefits were sent to foreign accounts in 2024, consistent with previous years.
The payments are part of Germany's tax law, allowing EU workers in Germany to claim benefits for children living in their home countries.
Approximately 313,000 children living abroad received these benefits in 2023, with the majority residing in EU nations such as Poland, Romania, and the Czech Republic.
Poland accounts for the highest number of beneficiaries, with 171,000 children receiving support from Germany's child benefit program.
The total child benefit expenditure in Germany amounts to €54 billion annually, with foreign payments representing just 1% of this figure.