Child Benefit Application in Austria: Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Familienbeihilfe

Child Benefit Application in Austria: Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Familienbeihilfe How to apply for child benefit (Kindergeld/Familienbeihilfe) in Austria: step-by-step guide via FinanzOnline, Beih100 paper form, required documents, processing times, and retroactive payments. Topics: Daily Life, Economy.

Child benefit (officially Familienbeihilfe in Austria, often called Kindergeld colloquially) is a monthly payment for families with children, disbursed by Finanzamt Österreich (the Austrian tax office). In most cases — except for births since May 2019 — you need to submit an application to start receiving it. Around 1.2 million families in Austria already receive this payment, but thousands of new parents and immigrants navigate the application process every year. This guide covers every step in detail: from setting up FinanzOnline access to filling out the Beih100 form and getting retroactive payments. If you are not yet familiar with eligibility criteria and benefit amounts, start with our comprehensive guide first.

Kindergeld vs. Familienbeihilfe: What’s in a Name?

In Austria, the official term for child benefit is Familienbeihilfe, while Kindergeld is the colloquial German term widely used in search queries and everyday conversation — it refers to the same benefit. The payment ranges from €138.40 per month (children under 3) to €200.40 per month (children aged 19 and above). It is paid by Finanzamt Österreich through its Familienbeihilfe department.

A key difference from Germany: in Austria, the application goes through the tax office (Finanzamt), not through a separate Familienkasse. The entire process is centralised via the FinanzOnline portal.

The benefit is tax-free and does not count as income for other social welfare calculations. On top of the base payment, you automatically receive Kinderabsetzbetrag (child tax credit) of €70.90 per child per month — this is a negative tax that is paid even if you pay little or no income tax.

As explained by oesterreich.gv.at, anyone whose centre of life is in Austria is eligible, regardless of nationality.

Who Needs to Apply — and Who Doesn’t

Since 1 May 2019, Austria has an automatic system: if your child is born in Austria, no separate application is needed. The benefit is paid automatically based on data from the civil registry office (Standesamt).

However, you must apply manually in the following situations:

• Your child was born before 1 May 2019
• You moved to Austria with your child from another country
• Your child was born abroad but you live in Austria
• You are applying for extended benefit for a student (over 18)
• You are a foster parent, legal guardian, or grandparent raising the child
• You are applying for increased Familienbeihilfe due to a child’s disability (form Beih3)

As StartWien advises, you can apply retroactively for up to five years, so even if you missed the deadline, you won’t lose all the money.

Step-by-Step: Applying via FinanzOnline (Fastest Method)

FinanzOnline is the Austrian tax office’s online portal. About 80% of all Familienbeihilfe applications are submitted through it. Here is the full process:

Step 1. Get FinanzOnline Access

You need one of these authentication methods:

• ID Austria (formerly Handy-Signatur) — the most common option. Get it at any registration office (Meldeamt) or via oesterreich.gv.at.
• FinanzOnline Password — issued by your tax office upon request. Takes 1–2 weeks.

If you already have ID Austria or Handy-Signatur, go directly to finanzonline.bmf.gv.at.

Step 2. Navigate to Familienbeihilfe Section

Once logged in:

1. Select «Familienbeihilfe» from the left menu
2. Click «Antrag auf Familienbeihilfe»
3. Choose whether you apply for yourself or on behalf of an organisation

Step 3. Fill in Your Personal Data

The system pre-fills your data from the registration database: name, address, tax number (Steuernummer). You will need to provide:

• IBAN of your account for payments (European format)
• Social insurance number (SV‑Nummer)
• Marital status and spouse’s details

Step 4. Enter Child’s Information

For each child, provide:

• Full name, date of birth, SV‑Nummer (for children born in Austria — issued automatically)
• Citizenship
• Identity document type (birth certificate, passport)
• If the child is 18 or older — proof of education (school or university enrolment)

Step 5. Review and Submit

Double-check all details, sign with your electronic signature (ID Austria / Handy-Signatur), and submit. You will receive a confirmation with a case number.

You can track your application status through FinanzOnline: in Bearbeitung (in progress), bewilligt (approved), or abgelehnet (rejected). As Finanz.at notes, the first payment usually arrives within 4–8 weeks of approval.

Paper Form Beih100: When and How to Fill It Out

If you do not have FinanzOnline access or prefer a paper application, use form Beih100 (Antrag auf Familienbeihilfe). Download it from the BMF forms page.

How to Complete Beih100

The form has several sections:

Field	What to Enter
1.1 Details of Applicant	Your personal data, tax number, social insurance number
1.1.3 Citizenship	Your nationality. For non-EU citizens — tick «gültiger Aufenthaltstitel»
1.2 Child’s Details	Name, date of birth, citizenship
1.2.6 Education	Complete only for children 18+ — type of educational institution
1.3 Bank Details	IBAN for payments
Signature	Your handwritten signature (digital signatures accepted on scanned copies)

Where to Send

Submit the completed form by:

• Post: Finanzamt Österreich, Postfach 260, 1000 Wien
• In person: at any local tax office (Finanzamt)
• Fax: some tax offices accept faxes, but postal mail is more reliable

Email is NOT accepted — Finanzamt does not process emailed applications for data protection reasons.

Applying for Familienbeihilfe is not just paperwork — mistakes can delay payments for months. Double-check every field, especially your IBAN and citizenship details. For non-EU applicants, always include your valid Aufenthaltstitel number.

— Dr. Clara Weber, Tax Consultant, Vienna Chamber of Commerce

Required Documents: Complete Checklist

Prepare these documents before starting your application:

• Child’s birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde) — for Austrian births, sent automatically by the registry office; for foreign births, international certificate with apostille
• Passport or ID of the applicant and the child
• Residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) — for non-EU citizens
• Social insurance number (SV‑Nummer) — found on your e-card
• Tax number (Steuernummer) — if you have one
• IBAN of your Austrian bank account (format: ATxx xxxx xxxx xxxx)
• Registration confirmation (Meldebestätigung) — proof of address
• For students over 18: proof of enrolment (school certificate, university confirmation, or apprenticeship contract)

All documents for non-EU citizens must be legalised (apostille) and, if necessary, translated into German by a certified translator. This is especially important for birth certificates issued outside the EU.

As highlighted by Arbeiterkammer, keep all education confirmations safe — without them, payments for students may be suspended.

How to Apply After Moving to Austria

Moving to Austria with children is one of the most common reasons for applying. The process for new arrivals has specific requirements.

First Steps After Moving

Before applying for child benefit:

1. Register your address (Meldebestätigung) at the local registration office — within 3 days of moving in
2. Get health insurance — through your employer or privately
3. Open a bank account at an Austrian bank
4. Get ID Austria or Handy-Signatur for FinanzOnline access

EU/EEA Citizens

EU/EEA nationals are eligible under the same conditions as Austrians. When moving, you must provide proof that child benefit has been terminated in your previous country — if you received Kindergeld in Germany, for instance, you need to close it first. Austria and EU countries exchange data through the TRESS system to prevent dual payments.

According to WKO, when moving from Germany, correctly filling out the section on previous benefits is crucial to avoid follow-up queries from Finanzamt.

Non-EU Citizens

Third-country nationals must hold a valid Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) valid for at least 6 months. You can apply as soon as you receive your residence permit. You will also need a certified translation of your child’s birth certificate into German.

Processing Times and Payment Schedule

How Long Does It Take?

Standard processing time for a Familienbeihilfe application is 4–8 weeks. During peak seasons (September, when students’ applications surge), it can extend to 12 weeks.

Upon approval, the benefit is paid from the month of application, but no earlier than 5 years before the application date (retroactive claim rule). The first payment hits your account within 2–3 weeks of approval.

Payment Schedule

Familienbeihilfe is paid monthly, no later than the 8th day of each month for the previous month. If the 8th falls on a weekend or public holiday, payment is made on the preceding business day.

2026 payment dates (per Bundeskanzleramt):

For month of	Payment date
August 2026	8 September 2026
September 2026	8 October 2026
and so on — the 8th of each month

Schulstartgeld (school-start allowance) is paid automatically with the September Familienbeihilfe — in 2026 it amounts to €121.40 per child aged 6 to 15.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Mistakes in your application are the #1 cause of payment delays. Here are the most frequent ones:

Mistake 1: Wrong IBAN

Ensure your IBAN uses the Austrian format (AT + 20 digits). Even a single wrong digit can delay payment by 2–4 weeks.

Mistake 2: Missing Aufenthaltstitel for Non-EU Citizens

On form Beih100, section 1.1.3 «Staatsbürgerschaft», you must tick «gültiger Aufenthaltstitel» and provide the permit number. Without this, the application will be rejected.

Mistake 3: Incomplete Child Data

For children born abroad, you need a birth certificate with an apostille and certified translation. Without these documents, the application cannot be processed.

Mistake 4: Expired Education Confirmation

For students over 18, the proof of enrolment must be current (not older than 3 months at the time of application). An expired certificate will trigger a payment suspension.

Mistake 5: Dual Benefit Claims When Moving from the EU

If you received child benefit in another EU country, you must close it before applying in Austria. Violation can result in a demand to repay the overpayment.

Application for Ukrainian Refugees and Other Displaced Persons

Ukrainian citizens under temporary protection (§ 62 AsylG 2005) benefit from special regulations. The Familienbeihilfe application is submitted through Finanzamt Österreich using the standard procedure, but with simplified status confirmation.

Since 2023, Ukrainians with Vertriebenenstatus are eligible for Familienbeihilfe provided the child lives in Austria and attends school or kindergarten. Status confirmation is a Bescheinigung über den Vertriebenenstatus from the registration office. You can find more details in our article on new Familienbeihilfe rules for Ukrainians.

What to Do After Your Application Is Approved

Once your application is approved, take these follow-up steps:

1. Check the first payment — verify the amount matches expectations (based on the child’s age and any supplements)
2. Apply for Mehrkindzuschlag — if you have three or more children, claim the supplement (€24.40 per child, requires annual renewal)
3. Set up Familienbonus Plus — a tax credit of up to €2,000 per year per child through your employer (form E30)
4. Keep education confirmations current — for students, update the proof of enrolment annually
5. Report account changes — moving or switching banks requires notifying Finanzamt

For more information, read our articles on tax benefits for married couples, child support calculation in Austria, and parental leave (Elternzeit) in Austria, which often goes hand in hand with Familienbeihilfe applications.

Frequently Asked Questions about Child Benefit Application

Can I apply before the child is born?

No, applications can only be submitted after the child is born. For births since May 2019, no application is needed — payment starts automatically.

What if my application is rejected?

If rejected, Finanzamt sends a written notice with the reason. You have the right to file an appeal (Beschwerde) within one month. Rejection is most often due to incomplete documents — simply submit the missing paperwork.

How do I check my application status?

Track your status through FinanzOnline under «Familienbeihilfe» → «Aktuelle Anträge». You can also call Finanzamt Österreich at 050 233 777 (Familienbeihilfe support line).

Can I receive child benefit if the child lives outside Austria?

The benefit is only paid for children permanently residing in Austria. Exceptions include short-term stays abroad (up to 6 months) or study at an EU/EEA university — in the latter case, payments may continue if the family’s centre of life remains in Austria.

Do I need to reapply every year?

For children under 18 — no, one application covers the entire period. For students 18+, you must renew annually with updated proof of enrolment. Mehrkindzuschlag also requires an annual application.

How to Apply for Child Benefit in Austria — Quick Checklist

Applying for Familienbeihilfe requires attention to detail but is straightforward when you follow the right steps:

• Determine if you need to apply: births before May 2019, moving from abroad, and student extensions all require a manual application
• Choose your method: FinanzOnline (faster and more convenient) or paper form Beih100 (by post)
• Prepare your documents: birth certificate, passport, Aufenthaltstitel (if applicable), IBAN, social insurance number
• Verify everything twice: especially IBAN, Aufenthaltstitel for non-EU citizens, and education proof for students
• Track your status: via FinanzOnline or by calling 050 233 777
• Claim additional benefits: Mehrkindzuschlag (3+ children) and Familienbonus Plus

Don’t delay your application — the benefit can be paid retroactively for up to five years, but the sooner you apply, the sooner payments begin. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on changes to Austrian family benefits.