Travelling with family

It is common for artists and creative professionals to plan a stay abroad and want to bring their family members along. Often, couples or families are involved in artistic pursuits together. In such cases, certain organisational matters must be clarified. For example, what regulations apply to entering the country, taking up employment and obtaining health insurance in the host country, etc.? What specific considerations apply to children and partners?
What information is relevant for artists and creative professionals from abroad who are staying in Germany with family members, including for extended periods? How can they arrange health insurance coverage, and what benefits are available to families to help them cope with the daily challenges of working as an artist with children? What does compulsory education in Germany entail?

You can find information about accompanying family members in various sections of the touring artists website, and this page will direct you to the answers to specific questions. Let's get started!

Use the menu at the top of this page to find information on the following topics:

financial support for families in Germany, including child benefit, supplementary child allowance, daycare and supplementary childcare,
compulsory education, mobile schools, and related topics,
contacts and initiatives for cultural professionals with families.

The menu also includes a case study (in German) about an artist family residency in Motreal.


Topic: Entry into and staying in the Schengen Area

Special regulations apply when third-country nationals (individuals who are not citizens of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland) travel with family members, plan a joint move, or intend to join family members in Germany. The decisive factor is whether the entry is for a short-term or long-term stay.

The 'Temporary Short Stay' page includes information on the following topics concerning short stays in the Schengen Area:

  • Short stays for non-EU nationals,
  • Applications for Schengen visas for minors,
  • Simplified entry for family members of EU/EEA and Swiss nationals who require a visa.

The 'Longer Stay/Moving to Germany' page includes information on the following topics concerning longer-term stays in Germany:

  • Moving to Germany or joining German nationals, EU nationals, or non-EU nationals as a family member,
  • parental reunification.
     

Topic: Employment in Germany

Access to the labour market for family members who are not EU nationals:

  • Non-EU nationals holding a German residence permit as family members have full access to the German labour market and may take up employment or work as self-employed individuals.
  • Non-EU nationals accompanying to Germany family members with EU citizenship who are entitled to freedom of movement also have full access to the German labour market through derived freedom of movement rights.

You can find more information on the 'Access to the German labour market' page.

Pregnancy and income replacement benefits

What labour law provisions apply to the employment or engagement of pregnant women? Germany has a number of regulations that protect pregnant women and their unborn children, although these regulations differ for employed women and self-employed women.

The 'Pregnancy, wage replacement benefits' page provides information on

  • the German Maternity Protection Act and employment restrictions, and
  • wage replacement benefits for expectant mothers and families with newborn children – keywords: maternity benefit and parental allowance.

Working with children and adolescents

  • Would you like to work with children and young people in Germany? If so, you should be aware that certain rules are in place for their protection, which must be observed by anyone working with them, for example in music schools, theatre clubs, etc.
  • Similarly, labour law in Germany regulates the employment of children and young people. This can be relevant when children and young people perform in theatre productions or concerts.

You can find more information on these topics on the 'Working with children and young people' page.


Topic: Health insurance

International health insurance

Anyone travelling abroad should arrange international health insurance (also known as travel health insurance) for themselves and their family members. Statutory health insurance plans cover benefits within the EU and in EEA countries, as well as some countries with which social security agreements are in place. This also applies to family members covered under family insurance. However, you often have to pay a copayment, and certain services are not included. Private health insurance plans often do not cover all services either.

You can find more information on these topics on the 'International health insurance' page.

Medical services abroad and pregnancy

Artists who are covered by statutory health insurance can access medical care within the EU to a limited extent using the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC also covers medical examinations and pregnancy care, including unplanned deliveries. Medical services related to pregnancy or childbirth are considered necessary care.
Different rules apply to artists with private health insurance and to stays in non-EU countries.

You can find more information on the 'Benefits abroad' page.

Family insurance

Anyone with statutory health insurance in Germany can include family members in their coverage at no extra cost through family insurance. However, this coverage is subject to certain conditions. Significant changes to the system are planned from 2028, meaning free family coverage will likely no longer be available.

You can find more information on this topic on the 'Social insurance in Germany' page.

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