This is one of the most frequently asked questions from parents. “We want to make it clear that nothing has changed in this respect since 1st July this year. We would like to remind that if the whole family lives in another country, all family benefits, the “500+” child benefit including, are governed solely by the national legislation of that country”, says the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy Bożena Borys-Szopa.

In order to be entitled to receive a benefit under the “Family 500+” programme, one must be a Polish citizen and actually live in the Republic of Poland (not to be confused with registered address) in the benefit period. 
If parents and their children live in an EU or EEA Member State, e.g. Germany, Norway or Switzerland, they receive the family benefits granted by the law of their country of residence - which means they are not entitled to receive benefits from Poland.

Note! The exception is when one parent lives in Poland with children, and the other works abroad in another EU Member State, EEA or Switzerland. Then, the right to receive child benefits is governed by the EU rules on social security coordination; importantly, a parent may not receive similar benefits for the same children in another country. 

If an applicant provides false information (e.g. conceals the fact that they live outside Poland), the benefits paid may be considered undue. Undue benefits will be recovered according to the provisions on debt collection procedure in administration.