Family Benefits in Austria

Austria's main family benefits are funded by the federal government and do not depend on social insurance contributions. The Finanzamt Österreich (tax office) pays the family allowance together with a child tax credit every month. The Länder and municipalities run childcare, so kindergarten costs depend on where you live. Third-country nationals qualify for the family allowance only if both the parent and the child live in Austria lawfully and permanently and hold a valid residence title under the Settlement and Residence Act (NAG). Recognised refugees qualify from the month asylum is granted.

Family allowance (Familienbeihilfe)

Paid per child per month for 2025 to 2027:

• €138.40 from birth, €148 from age 3, €171.80 from age 10 and €200.40 from age 19.
• A sibling supplement raises the amount for each child when you have 2 or more children (€8.60 per child for 2 children, €21.10 per child for 3, and more for larger families).
• €189.20 extra per month for a child with a severe disability.
• School start money (Schulstartgeld): €121.40 per child aged 6 to 15, paid automatically with the August payment.
• After 18 the allowance continues only while the child is in education or training, generally until age 24, and university students must show study progress.

The allowance normally goes to the parent who runs the household, which the law presumes to be the mother unless she waives it in favour of the father.

Tax benefits for children

• Kinderabsetzbetrag (child tax credit): €70.90 per child per month for 2025 to 2027, paid automatically with the family allowance.
• Familienbonus Plus: a tax credit of up to €2,000 a year per child under 18 and €700 a year for older children still receiving family allowance (2026). It reduces your income tax directly. You claim it through your employer or in your tax return.
• Mehrkindzuschlag: €24.40 a month for the third and each further child, if the family's taxable income in the previous year was not above €55,000. You claim it in your tax return.

Childcare

• Compulsory kindergarten year: children who have turned 5 by 31 August must attend kindergarten half-day (at least 20 hours a week) from September to June. This year is free in all Länder.
• Vienna: kindergartens, playgroups and childminders are free or heavily reduced for all children until school starts, if the child and at least one parent have their main residence in Vienna. Low-income families can get help with meal costs.
• Register your child early, especially for a crèche (Kinderkrippe) for children under 3.

Common pitfalls for newcomers

• Check that your residence title, and your child's, is valid for the whole period. Without a valid title, the allowance stops.
• The Familienbonus Plus is not automatic. If your employer did not apply it, claim it in your annual tax return.
• Report changes, such as a move, the end of a child's training or a new bank account, to the Finanzamt Österreich.
• Children living abroad receive different amounts. Check the separate EU/EEA rules before a family member moves.

Official guidance: Federal Chancellery: family allowance amounts, Family allowance for third-country nationals, BMF: Familienbonus Plus, Free compulsory kindergarten year, Vienna: kindergarten support