If you have children and live in Austria, you may be entitled to receive Familienbeihilfe, or family allowance, a subsidy that helps parents with the costs of raising children. 

This allowance is available to Austrian residents whose centre of life is in Austria, provided they live in a shared household with their child. The family allowance applies to children up to the age of 18 but may be extended to 24 or 25 in some instances.

How do I apply for it?

In most cases, family allowance is granted automatically upon the birth of a child in Austria without the need for an application. 

The tax office will inform you of your entitlement after your child is born and registered in Austria. Still, you may be asked to provide additional details such as bank information – or further proof that your centre of life is in Austria. For example, the Financial Office in Austria (Finanzamt) may ask you to show proof that you live and work in the country. 

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If an application is required – usually when the child was not born in Austria- if you are moving here with your family, it must be submitted to the local tax office either online via FinanzOnline or in person.

You will need to provide the birth certificate and residence registration (Meldezettel) for both the child and the applicant.

You can apply online at FinanzOnline, search for Familienbeihilfe on the website, and then click on the application page. You can also use the form Beih100 and hand it in in person after an appointment, sending it to the Finanzamt by mail or dropping it in the post box outside each local Finanz office. You can check addresses HERE.

How much is the family allowance?

The monthly family allowance depends on the age of the child:

• €132.30 from birth
• €141.50 when the child turns 3
• €164.20 from age 10
• €191.60 from age 19

If you have multiple children, you are entitled to a supplementary allowance that increases with each additional child. The Austrian government also provides a school start allowance of €116.10 in August for children aged between 6 and 15.

For children with significant disabilities, the allowance is increased by €180.90 per month, provided you submit a medical certificate certifying the child’s disability.

How is Family Allowance paid?

Payments are made monthly, and the parent in charge of the household, usually the mother, receives the allowance. However, the mother can waive this right in favour of the other parent if desired. Since January 2024, the amount has been adjusted automatically for inflation, ensuring continued support for families as living costs rise.

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