Child Benefit If You Move Abroad or Work Overseas

The rules depend on whether your move is temporary or permanent, and whether you continue to pay UK National Insurance.

General Rule: Leaving the UK Permanently

If you leave the UK permanently, Child Benefit stops. You must notify HMRC as soon as possible using form CH5 (available on gov.uk). Continuing to receive Child Benefit after leaving permanently is considered fraud.

You also lose NI credits from the date Child Benefit ends.

Temporary Absence from the UK

Short-term absence abroad does not automatically stop Child Benefit. The rules are:

Up to 8 weeks

Child Benefit continues without restriction. Family holidays, short work trips, visiting relatives - no action needed.

Up to 12 weeks (medical)

If you or the child is abroad for medical treatment or convalescence, the absence period extends to 12 weeks.

Working in the UK, Living in EEA or Switzerland

If you live in an EEA country or Switzerland but work in the UK and pay UK National Insurance contributions, you can claim UK Child Benefit for children living in the EEA or Switzerland. The UK-EEA Social Security Coordination Agreement (post-Brexit) governs this.

You must notify HMRC and provide evidence that you are paying UK NI and that the child resides with the other parent in an EEA country.

Working in the EEA, Living in the UK

If you live in the UK but your work is in an EEA country (and you pay social security contributions there), the EEA country is generally responsible for paying family benefits. If that country pays less than UK Child Benefit, the UK will top up the difference.

This situation requires evidence of the foreign benefit being claimed and the amount received.

Crown Servants Abroad

Crown servants (civil servants, diplomats, and similar) posted abroad for the UK Government can continue to receive Child Benefit regardless of which country they are stationed in. The child must still meet the usual age requirements.

Armed Forces

UK armed forces personnel serving abroad, and their families living with them on a posting, can continue to receive Child Benefit. Evidence of the posting may be required. Contact HMRC Child Benefit with your regiment or unit details.

Coming to the UK from Abroad

When you move to the UK, you must have right to reside and be habitually resident before you can claim Child Benefit. For EEA nationals, a 3-month period of residence is typically required.

Post-Brexit rules for EEA nationals

- Settled status (5 years+ UK residence): eligible immediately
- Pre-settled status: eligible if you have a qualifying right to reside (worker, student, self-sufficient)
- No EUSS status and arrived after Brexit: standard immigration rules apply

Form CH5: Notifying HMRC About Going Abroad

If you are moving abroad, use form CH5 to tell HMRC. This prevents overpayments and any potential penalties. The form asks for your departure date, destination country, and whether you intend to return to the UK.

Child Benefit abroad rules on gov.uk →