Child benefits when living in Germany but working in Switzerland

I work in Switzerland and pay social insurance through my Swiss employer. However, I live in Germany along with my wife and three children.

In Germany, child benefits are paid based on residence so we receive German child benefits because we live in Germany. But I can also get Swiss child benefits through my employer. Can I claim Swiss benefits even though I receive benefits in Germany as well?

Whether or not you are entitled to receive Swiss child benefits for children residing outside of Switzerland depends several factors.

If you are a Swiss citizen, a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member country, you are eligible to receive Swiss child benefits through your Swiss employer if your children reside in an EU or EFTA member country.

If you are a citizen of Serbia, Bosnia or Montenegro and work in Switzerland, you can receive child benefits for your children regardless of where your children live.

However, if you are also entitled to receive child benefits in your child's country of residence, your home country or the country in which your spouse works, you must report this to your social security office. The amount you receive from foreign benefits will be deducted from the child benefits which you receive in Switzerland.

If your children live outside of Switzerland or EU/EFTA countries, they are not eligible to receive Swiss child benefits on account of your Swiss employment. This holds true for Swiss citizens as well as foreigners.