The Familienkasse: addresses, sending and letters

What the Familienkasse is

The Familienkasse is the German office that decides on Kindergeld and pays it. It is part of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit). There are several Familienkassen across Germany.

When a parent or a child lives in another EU country, the case goes to a special Familienkasse, chosen by the country. Each one works with the family benefit office in that country.

Familienkasse addresses for Romania, Bulgaria and Poland

The country that counts is the country where the other parent or the child lives. These addresses have a special postcode for the Familienkasse, so no street name is needed. Write the address on the envelope exactly like this:

• Sent it to the wrong Familienkasse? The wrong office must forward it, and the date it arrived there counts. The right address still saves time.
• The application can also be handed to the family benefit office in your home country, which passes it on.

How to send your application

A Kindergeld application must be in writing and signed by hand. You can send it by post or by fax, but not by email:

• By post. This is the usual way. Put all forms and copies in one envelope.
• By fax. A fax of the signed forms is accepted.
• Not by email. A scan or a photo of the forms sent by email is not accepted as an application.

Tips for sending

Small things make the case easier to handle:

• Sign every form where it is needed. On KG 1, the other parent also signs to agree.
• Send copies of documents, like birth certificates, not the originals.
• Write your name and date of birth on every extra page.
• Keep a copy of everything you send, and write down the date you posted it.
• If you can, send it by registered post with a return receipt (Einschreiben mit Rückschein), so you have proof that it arrived.

How long it takes

For children living abroad, a decision often takes 4 to 6 months. The Familienkasse must check with the office in your home country whether a child benefit is paid there, and how much.

The long wait does not cost you money, as long as your application has arrived. Kindergeld is paid back for up to 6 months before the month the application arrives, and from then on, also for the months you wait.

How to follow up

Once your case is registered, letters from the Familienkasse show your Kindergeld number (Kindergeldnummer). Write this number on every letter you send later. It makes it much easier to find your case.

If you have heard nothing for a long time, you can write to your Familienkasse and ask about the status, with your name, date of birth and Kindergeld number. The Kindergeld leaflet (KG 2) lists this phone number for calls from abroad: +49 911 1203 1010. Later documents and changes can also be sent through the Familienkasse's online services.

Letters you may get

Letters from the Familienkasse are in German. Read them carefully and do not ignore them:

• A letter with your Kindergeld number.
• A request for documents or information. For example, a school certificate, a proof of address or details about benefits in your home country. These letters are normal. Answer before the date in the letter. If you do not, the Familienkasse can decide without the missing information.
• The decision, called a Bescheid. It says if Kindergeld is granted, how much per month and from when. If Germany pays only the difference to the home benefit, it says so.
• Later, you may get letters asking you to confirm your details.

How Geldback helps

Geldback fills in KG 1, Anlage Kind and Anlage Ausland from your answers and gives you the employer certificate KG 54. It shows you the right Familienkasse for your country and a cover page that tells you who signs where. You send the forms yourself. Geldback is not connected to the Familienkasse.