Union politicians are calling for changes to EU law, arguing that Germany is acting as a major exporter of child benefit payments to EU countries. This issue involves nearly 300,000 children receiving German Child Benefit abroad, meaning half a billion euros flows annually out of German social funds across international borders.
Günter Krings, deputy chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, told the “Bild” newspaper that German friends in the Commission and other EU states must finally understand that this situation is unsustainable. Krings suggested that the high level of the German Child Benefit appears to act as a strong incentive, especially towards Southeast Europe, stating that one must be “very naive” to deny the potential for abuse. He emphasized that urgent adjustments to European law are necessary, arguing that it should not be possible for children living in countries like Bulgaria or Romania to receive benefit payments based on Germany’s high cost of living. He added that they can no longer accept vague assurances from Brussels on this matter.
Joining the call for action, CSU domestic politician Stephan Mayer stated that he demands that Germany no longer pay child benefits to children living abroad. He clarified that if this change cannot be implemented legally quickly, payments must at least be adjusted to match the living costs in the country where the child resides, since life is generally much cheaper there. Mayer concluded that the purpose of Child Benefit is to secure the basic necessities of children, and that is what it should continue to do.
