Benefits abroad

[djtdjt]

Have asked a similar question before, if I turned up in another country could I claim benefits like in this country, housing/jobseekers etc?

[factor-fiction]

Do you mean other member countries of the EU or are you talking about any country in the world?

[bednobs]

it would depend on the country

[Bambiagain]

Certainly not in Germany. I am resident here, but not entitled to any benefits. I can use the health system because I pay health insurance like everyone else - that'S it.

[sitges]

Most countries have the same problems with the people that live there, so they usually do not welcome people who are not residence of that country. You have to have a work permit for that country in order to get a job unless you get paid under the table and they you would not be able to claim any benefits anyway.

[djtdjt]

Was thinking EU country, you hear about people coming to the UK and claiming benefits, was wondering if all EU countries are the same.

[hc4361]

Certainly in France. For years there has been a 'commune' of unemployed young Brits in the South of France supposedly looking for work and claiming French benefits. They often come home for the winter.

http://france.otherco...e/social-security.asp

[hc4361]

Excellent article here:

http://www.goworkabro...-benefits-abroad.html

[VHG]

That would make a great TV program.

Get an "immigrant" family to go round the EU trying to get benefits in each EU country, and find out in which country it was easiest to get benefits, and how much they could get.

[hc4361]

It would make better tv if the migrant family were British.

[Buenchico]

Start here:
http://www.direct.gov...ivingabroad/index.htm
(The 'Benefits' link is obviously the most relevant but other information there might also be useful to you).

Chris