How to Call the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (German Employment Agency) From Abroad
8/5/2026
Quick answer: For job seeker or Familienkasse (child benefit) matters, call +49 911 12031010 from outside Germany. For technical support with an online application or account, call +49 911 178 1780 instead. Both are confirmed on the Bundesagentur für Arbeit's official "How to reach us" page. There's currently no separate international number published for the employer service line.
Why the 0800 numbers stop working the moment you leave Germany
Like most 0800 toll-free ranges, the Bundesagentur für Arbeit's service numbers are built for domestic German networks. Try dialing one from a foreign SIM or landline and you'll typically get a fast busy signal or a "cannot be completed" message, the call never actually reaches Germany.
This matters if you're a former resident chasing unemployment benefits from abroad, or a parent trying to sort out Familienkasse while living outside the country.
The numbers that actually work from abroad
Per the agency's official contact page:
| Service | Domestic (toll-free) | From abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Private individuals / job seekers | 0800 4 555500 | +49 911 12031010 |
| Familienkasse (child benefit) | 0800 4 555530 | +49 911 12031010 |
| Technical support for online offers | 0800 4 555501 | +49 911 178 1780 |
| Employer service | 0800 4 555520 | Not published |
The general citizens line, +49 911 12031010, covers both job seeker matters and Familienkasse, it's a single number that routes you to the right department. Hours: Monday to Thursday 8am to 6pm, Friday 8am to 2pm, German time. If your issue is with the online jobs portal itself (login problems, a stuck application), the technical support number is the more direct route.
If you're calling on behalf of a company, note that the agency currently doesn't publish an international alternative to the domestic employer line. Your best options are the general citizens number above, or reaching out through the agency's online contact form for employers.
Both international numbers are standard chargeable landlines, not toll-free, so factor in per-minute cost if you're calling from a mobile plan.
What to have ready before you call
- Your Kundennummer (customer number) if you have one, from previous correspondence
- Your date of birth and registered German address, past or present
- For Familienkasse matters, your child's details and the reference number from any prior correspondence
The cheaper way to actually make the call
Neither international number is toll-free, so a lengthy hold on a mobile roaming plan gets expensive fast. With DialVia, you call the real number over Wi-Fi from your browser instead:
- Open DialVia and sign up (about 30 seconds)
- Select Germany as the destination
- Enter the number: 911 12031010 (or 911 178 1780 for technical support)
- Hit call
Frequently asked questions
What's the Bundesagentur für Arbeit's number for calling from abroad? +49 911 12031010 for job seeker and Familienkasse matters. +49 911 178 1780 for technical support with online services. The domestic 0800 numbers don't work from foreign phone networks.
Does the same number work for Familienkasse (child benefit) questions? Yes, +49 911 12031010 covers both private individuals and Familienkasse, it's a shared entry point.
Is there an international number for the employer service line? Not currently published. Employers calling from abroad should use the general citizens number or the agency's online contact form.
Are these numbers free to call? No, unlike the domestic 0800 lines, both international numbers are standard chargeable German landlines.
Need to reach another German institution from abroad? See the full guide to calling German government offices from abroad.
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