Family benefits in Switzerland

Switzerland has no single national child benefit paid by the state. Instead, family allowances (Familienzulagen) are paid through employers and family compensation funds (Familienausgleichskassen, FAK). Federal law (FamZG) sets minimum amounts, and each canton may pay more and add birth or adoption allowances. Childcare is organised and subsidised by municipalities, so costs vary a lot. The examples below are for the canton and City of Zurich.

Family allowances (Familienzulagen)

• Child allowance (Kinderzulage): paid from the month of birth until the end of the month in which the child turns 16. Federal minimum: CHF 215 a month (2026).
• Education allowance (Ausbildungszulage): for children aged 15 or over who are in post-compulsory education (apprenticeship, upper-secondary school, university), until the end of training but no later than the month they turn 25. Federal minimum: CHF 268 a month (2026).
• Canton of Zurich (2026): CHF 215 a month per child up to age 12, CHF 268 from age 12, and an education allowance of CHF 268. Zurich pays no birth or adoption allowance.
• Who receives them: employees and self-employed people earning at least CHF 630 a month (CHF 7,560 a year, 2026), even when working part time. Non-employed parents with a taxable income of no more than CHF 45,360 a year may also qualify. Only one allowance is paid per child; if both parents qualify, the law sets which one receives it.
• How to apply: employees apply through their employer; self-employed people through their FAK; non-employed people through the cantonal fund where they live (in Zurich: SVA Zürich).

Allowances during unemployment, illness and leave

During maternity, paternity or adoption leave the allowance continues. If you are ill or have an accident, it continues for the rest of the month and three more months. People who receive unemployment benefit get a supplement equal to their canton's child or education allowance, unless the other parent already receives an allowance for the same child.

Childcare

Day-care centres (Kitas) and day families (Tagesfamilien) are mostly private and expensive, but many municipalities subsidise places according to income and assets. In the City of Zurich (rules in force in 2026), parents of children aged 0 to 4 pay at most CHF 120 and at least CHF 12 per day for a subsidised Kita place; the city pays the difference. It subsidises the days that both parents together work beyond 100% (for single parents, all working days), up to 240 days a year. You need two confirmations from the city: the subsidised amount of care and your contribution factor.

Common pitfalls for newcomers

• Allowances for children living abroad are paid only where an agreement requires it, mainly for EU/EFTA nationals whose children live in the EU/EFTA. The agreement with the United Kingdom does not cover family benefits.
• Tell your employer about every new child: allowances are not paid automatically.
• If you take a child out of a subsidised Kita before the notice period ends, the Kita may charge the full, unsubsidised price.
• Rates differ by canton. If the second parent works in a canton with higher rates, you can claim the difference.

Official guidance: FSIO: family allowances, rules and rates, FSIO: rates by canton 2026 (PDF), AHV/IV: family allowances (leaflet 6.08), SVA Zürich: family allowances, City of Zurich: childcare costs and subsidies