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FAQ - Family benefits

  • I've moved to another country to work, but my family's stayed at home. Where am I entitled to child benefits?

    If you're on a posting from your home country and have a valid A1 form, you'll still be entitled to child benefit from your home country.

  • I usually work in Greece but have just been posted to Ireland. Where should I apply for family benefits?

    If you're on a posting from your home country and have a valid A1 form, you'll still be entitled to child benefit from your home country.

    You can apply for family benefits in any country where you or your children's other parent are entitled to benefits. The authority where you applied will forward your application to all countries that are responsible for your case.

    If you apply in due time with one authority, you're considered to have applied in time for benefits throughout the whole EU. You can't be deprived of your entitlements if the country where you applied forwarded your files too late to the responsible authority in another country.

    In case of problems, you can call on our assistance services.

  • I'm divorced and live with my children. My ex-husband lives and works in another EU country and receives family benefits for our children – but doesn't pass them on to us. Can I have the benefits paid directly to me instead?

    YES — if your ex-husband doesn't use the family benefits he receives to maintain your children, the agency providing the benefits can decide to pay them directly to you, as the person who is actually maintaining the family.

    If you want them to do so, contact your social security authorities. They'll pass on your request to the relevant authorities in the other country.

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