Unemployment in France encourages many French people to expand their job search to Germany each year. But what steps do you need to take to find a job in Germany while continuing to receive French unemployment benefits? We explain the formalities you need to complete before your departure and how to transfer your unemployment benefits from France to Germany.
1. Obtain the U2 form before leaving for Germany
Four weeks after the date of your registration as unemployed in France, you can request the U2 form issued by France Travail either online via your personal space or during an appointment with your advisor. It is important to anticipate this request, as processing can take several days .
This four-week period corresponds to the minimum period during which you must be registered as a jobseeker in France before you can request the transfer of your unemployment benefits to another European Union country. During this period, you must also be available to accept a job or participate in integration measures offered by France Travail .
The U2 form will allow you to continue receiving unemployment benefits while you look for work in Germany . Once you receive the U2 form, you will need to submit it to the German national employment service: the Bundesagentur für ArbeitÂ
2. Steps to transfer unemployment benefits
Conditions of transfer
Conditions for transferring unemployment benefits to another EU member state:
- unemployment
- Unemployment registration in Germany
- right to unemployment benefits
- application with form U2 (application for authorization to transfer benefits) in Germany, before leaving the country
- registration as a job seeker in the country of job search, no later than 7 days after departure
- compliance with obligations arising from foreign legislation (e.g., taking into account appointments and deadlines)
- possession of the nationality of a Member State
Respecting the waiting period: You must remain available to the employment agency for at least 4 weeks before leaving the country.
A reduction in the period is possible when placement on the job market is not possible in the near future or for compelling reasons.
Transfer duration
The duration of the transfer of unemployment benefits to another EU member state:
- In principle, for a period of 3 months
- But on request, extension of up to 6 months in total
- Request no later than the last day of the initially granted allocation period
3. Register with the Arbeitsagentur as a job seeker
Once you have the U2 form in your possession, you must register as a job seeker with the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) within 7 calendar days of your departure from France.
This deadline is strictly enforced: if you do not respect this deadline, you risk temporarily or permanently losing the right to receive your unemployment benefits abroad.
The Bundesagentur für Arbeit is the German equivalent of France Travail. To register, it is advisable to make an appointment as soon as possible, preferably before you leave France. You will need to provide several documents, including:
- the original U2 form
- an identity document or passport
- proof of your address in Germany (if available)
- possibly a CV in German or other documents attesting to your job search
Throughout your stay in Germany, you will need to follow local job search regulations, including attending appointments, proving that you are actively looking for work, and reporting any changes in your circumstances.
The payment of your unemployment benefits remains the responsibility of France Travail, but it is the Bundesagentur für Arbeit that monitors your situation during your stay.
