Introduction - Financial support for parents in Austria

Austria is known for its strong system of social support, and one of the key aspects of that support is allowances for children. These allowances help families cover the costs of raising children, from birth to adulthood, and in some cases longer. The aim of this guide is to provide comprehensive information about child benefits in Austria, including procedures, amounts, conditions and the latest changes in legislation.

What is child benefits in Austria and who is entitled to them?

Child benefits in Austria are a form of financial support provided by the state to families. These allowances include several types of payments, including:

• Child allowance (Familienbeihilfe)
• Child care allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld)
• Tax allowances for parents
• Special subsidies and school allowances

The following are entitled to these supplements:

• Citizens of Austria
• Foreigners with legal residence
• Parents who work in Austria but have children in other EU countries under special conditions

Legal bases and legal framework

Child allowances in Austria are regulated by laws that define the conditions, amounts and duration of entitlement to these benefits. Rights are defined according to:

• Number of children
• Age of the child
• Family income
• Special needs of the child

Child allowance (Familienbeihilfe) - Basic support for parents

Child benefit (Familienbeihilfe) is the most basic form of financial support for parents in Austria. It is paid monthly, and the amount depends on the age of the child.

Age of the child and amount of compensation

The current amounts for 2024 are:

• Up to 3 years: 120 EUR per month
• From 3 to 10 year: 130 EUR per month
• From 10 to 18 years: 150 EUR per month
• From 18 to 24 years (if studying): 180 EUR per month

Addition for children with special needs

Parents of children with special needs receive an additional amount that can range between 150 and 300 EUR per month, depending on the child's needs.

Child care allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld) - Support for non-working parents

This allowance is intended for parents who they are not in permanent employment and take care of children at home. There are two models:

• Flat-rate model: Fixed amount regardless of parents' income
• Income model: The amount depends on the parents' income

Mandatory health examinations

In order for a parent to has obtained the right to this allowance, the child must undergo mandatory health examinations at certain stages of development.

Conditions for exercising the right to allowances

The right to allowances depends on:

• Residence status in Austria
• Registered residence
• Maximum income of parents (for certain types of allowances)
• Compulsory schooling of children

How to apply for child allowance?

The procedure for submitting the application includes the following steps:

1. Filling in the form (available online and in the competent services)
2. Collection of documents (birth certificate, proof of residence, income certificate)
3. Submission of the request online or in person at the tax administration
4. Processing the request (takes up to 3 months)

Increase in child allowance from 2025

From January 1 In 2025, child benefits will be increased by 4.6%. The new amounts are:

• Up to 3 years: 125 EUR
• From 3 to 10 years: 140 EUR
• From 10 to 18 years: 160 EUR
• Students up to 24 years: 190 EUR

Tax benefits for parents in Austria

Working parents can obtain Familienbonus Plus, a tax benefit that can amount to up to 1,500 EUR per year per child.

The most common mistakes when filing request

The most common errors include:

• Incomplete documentation
• Wrongly filled out form
• Delay in submitting the request

How to check the status of the request?

The status of the request can be checked through the online system Austrian Tax Administration.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often is child benefit paid? Monthly.
2. Can the benefit be lost if we move? Yes, if the child is not in Austria.
3. How to apply for an allowance if the parent is not in Austria? Possibly through the EU rules on coordination of social benefits.
4. Are there special allowances for single parents? Yes, there are special financial supports.
5. How is the allowance paid if the parents are divorced? The parent with primary custody receives the allowance.
6. What are the restrictions for children over 18? They must be in school to continue receiving the allowance.

Useful links

In German:

• Child allowance (Familienbeihilfe): Information about family allowance is available on the official Austrian government portal: bundeskanzleramt.gv.at
• Child care allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld): Details of various options and conditions for receiving childcare allowance can be found at: oesterreich.gv.at
• Familienbonus Plus: Information on the tax allowance for families is available on the website of the Federal Ministry of Finance: bmf.gv.at

In Serbian language:

• The baby is on the way - childcare assistance and child benefit: The city of Vienna provides information in Serbian language about the protection of expectant mothers, child care money and child benefit: wien.gv.at
• Information about social assistance in Graz: The official document of the city of Graz provides details about social assistance in Serbian: graz.at