Every year, the Back-to-School Allowance (Allocation de Rentrée Scolaire – ARS) is a valuable boost for many families in France.
But when you are a cross-border worker, the way this benefit works can seem complicated.

Is it one of the “exportable” benefits? How is it actually calculated if, for example, you work in Germany?

Let’s break down your rights to ensure a smooth back-to-school season!

A quick reminder: determining the priority country for paying family allowances

  1. If one parent works in the country of residence (France), or receives replacement income there (such as unemployment benefits or daily social security allowances), then France is the priority country.
    If neither parent has an activity (or replacement income) in the country of residence, then the cross-border country of employment becomes the priority for paying family allowances.

  2. The “highest amount” rule: differential allowance. If the family allowances in the priority country are lower than those paid by the other country, you will receive the difference. This is called the differential allowance (complément différentiel).

When the cross-border country of employment is the priority

If your country of employment (for example, Germany) is the priority country for paying family allowances (which is usually the case if only one parent works there), then:

  • You will receive the basic family benefits directly from the foreign office (for example, in Germany, Kindergeld).

  • The French Family Allowance Fund (CAF) will act as the secondary institution. It will calculate the total amount of French family benefits you would have been entitled to if you had worked only in France, including the Back-to-School Allowance (ARS), which is an exportable benefit.

  • Your CAF will then pay you a differential allowance. This supplement corresponds to the difference between the total amount of French family benefits (including the ARS) and the benefits already received from Germany.

Key takeaway: The ARS will not be paid “on top of” the German/foreign benefits. Instead, its amount is included in the overall calculation of your French rights, thereby reducing (or potentially increasing) the differential supplement the CAF may pay you.

When France is the priority country

When France is the priority country for paying family allowances, the CAF will directly and fully pay you the Back-to-School Allowance (ARS) (as well as other French family benefits) if you are eligible, without applying the differential allowance mechanism for this benefit.

In this case, it is then up to Germany (or the other country of employment) to calculate and pay any supplement if its benefits are higher.

Practical advice for cross-border workers

For children aged 6 to 15 with an existing CAF file, entitlement to the Back-to-School Allowance is generally reviewed automatically. However, cross-border situations are complex and require extra vigilance:

  • Check your CAF payment statement: After the ARS payment period, make sure this allowance has been included in the calculation of your differential allowance (or paid directly if France is the priority).

  • Keep your CAF file up to date: Any change in your professional, family, or residence situation must be reported immediately to the CAF to avoid calculation errors or overpayments.

Further information can be found on the website of our partner Frontaliers Grand Est