Child Benefit in Austria: Complete Guide to Kindergeld & Familienbeihilfe Child benefit in Austria explained: Familienbeihilfe, Kinderabsetzbetrag, Schulstartgeld, Mehrkindzuschlag and Familienbonus Plus. Rates 2025/2026, eligibility and how to apply. Topics: Daily Life, Economy.

Austria is one of Europe’s most generous countries when it comes to supporting families with children. The government pays child benefit (locally called Kindergeld or officially Familienbeihilfe) for every child until they finish their education, along with tax credits, school starting allowances, and childcare benefits. Total annual spending on family benefits in Austria exceeds €8 billion, and around 1.2 million families receive these payments. This guide covers everything you need to know: what types of child benefit exist in Austria, who is eligible, the rates for 2025/2026, and how to apply. If you’ve just moved to Austria and haven’t yet completed your initial registration, start by getting your residence registration (Meldezettel).

What types of child benefit exist in Austria?

Austria’s family support system consists of several different payments. The main one is Familienbeihilfe (monthly child benefit), which is automatically accompanied by the Kinderabsetzbetrag (tax credit). Additional payments include Schulstartgeld (school starting allowance), Mehrkindzuschlag (large family supplement), Familienbonus Plus (tax bonus), and Kinderbetreuungsgeld (childcare benefit for parents).

All these benefits are administered through the Finanzamt Österreich (tax office) and the FinanzOnline portal. Most are not income-dependent — both working and unemployed parents receive them as long as basic conditions are met. As oesterreich.gv.at states, the key requirement for all family benefits is that the family’s centre of vital interests must be in Austria.

Familienbeihilfe — the main monthly child benefit

Familienbeihilfe is the basic monthly child benefit in Austria, paid for every child from birth until the completion of their education, up to a maximum of 24 years (in some cases 25 years). The amount depends on the child’s age and is indexed annually, but indexation was suspended for 2026 due to the budget deficit.

All parents whose children permanently reside in Austria are entitled to the benefit. EU citizens and third-country nationals with a valid residence permit have the same eligibility. The benefit is paid regardless of parental income — this sets Austria apart from many other European countries. As the Arbeiterkammer explains, Familienbeihilfe is a legal entitlement of every parent.

Familienbeihilfe rates for 2025/2026

The amount of child benefit depends on the child’s age and the number of children in the family.

Child’s age	Monthly amount
From birth to 3 years	€138.40
From 3 to 10 years	€148.80
From 10 to 19 years	€171.70
From 19 years (students)	€200.40

Additionally, there is the Geschwisterstaffelung (sibling increment). For the second child, the amount increases by €7.60 per month, for the third by €17.80, for the fourth by €27.90, and from the fifth child onwards by €35.40 monthly. According to Finanz.at, these increments are added to the base rate for each child.

Kinderabsetzbetrag — tax credit per child

Together with Familienbeihilfe, you automatically receive the Kinderabsetzbetrag — a tax credit of €70.90 per month for each child. No separate application is needed: the payment arrives together with the Familienbeihilfe.

It’s important to understand: the Kinderabsetzbetrag is not a benefit but a negative income tax. Even if you pay little or no income tax, you receive this amount in full. As noted on oesterreich.gv.at, the credit is accounted for in the annual tax return (Arbeitnehmerveranlagung).

Mehrkindzuschlag — large family supplement

Families with three or more children can claim the Mehrkindzuschlag — an additional €20 per month for each child from the third onwards. The condition: the family’s total annual income must not exceed a certain limit (in 2025: €55,000 annual income).

The Mehrkindzuschlag must be applied for separately using form Beih100 or through FinanzOnline. The payment is made monthly together with the regular Familienbeihilfe. According to the WKO, this supplement is designed to support large families with medium and low incomes.

Schulstartgeld — school starting allowance

Every September, all Familienbeihilfe recipients automatically receive Schulstartgeld — a one-time payment for the start of the school year. In 2025, it was €121.40 for each child aged 6 to 15 years. No separate application is necessary — the payment is made automatically to everyone who receives Familienbeihilfe for September.

Schulstartgeld is one of the most convenient support measures because it requires no action from parents. The money arrives in the same bank account as the Familienbeihilfe. To learn more about other automatic payments, read our article on the Austrian one-stop-shop government.

Familienbonus Plus — tax bonus for families

The Familienbonus Plus is a tax credit that reduces your annual income tax. It amounts to €2,000 per year for each child (for children over 18: €650). Unlike the Kinderabsetzbetrag, the Familienbonus Plus must be applied for separately — either through your employer (form E30) or as part of your annual tax return (Arbeitnehmerveranlagung).

You can claim the Familienbonus Plus even if you do not personally receive the Familienbeihilfe but would be entitled to it (for example, if the other parent receives the benefit). As the Federal Chancellery explains, this bonus is one of the key financial support measures for families in Austria.

Kinderbetreuungsgeld — childcare benefit for parents

In addition to Familienbeihilfe, parents can receive Kinderbetreuungsgeld — a childcare benefit for parents who temporarily stop working or reduce their hours to care for their child. This is a separate payment administered through the Krankenkasse (health insurance fund) and the AMS, not through the tax office.

Several models are available: 30+6 (flat rate of €14.53 per day for 30 months), 20+4 (€20.80/day for 20 months), 15+3 (€33.88/day for 15 months), and 12+2 (€50.26/day for 12 months). The choice depends on your family income and return-to-work plans. For more details, see our guide to parental leave in Austria.

How to apply for child benefit in Austria

Applications for Familienbeihilfe and most other family benefits are made through FinanzOnline — the online portal of the Austrian tax administration. For births in Austria from 1 May 2019, the benefit is paid automatically after birth registration. For all other cases (moving from abroad, births before this date), you need to submit an application.

The process through FinanzOnline involves several steps:

1. Register with FinanzOnline — if you don’t yet have access, apply at your local Finanzamt (you need a Meldezettel — residence registration)
2. Open the Familienbeihilfe section — select «Familienbeihilfe» → «Antrag auf Familienbeihilfe» from the menu
3. Fill in the form — provide the child’s details, your IBAN (bank account), citizenship information, and residence permit data
4. Attach the required documents — Geburtsurkunde (birth certificate), registration confirmation, and for third-country nationals: a copy of your Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit)

You can track your application status in FinanzOnline: in Bearbeitung (in progress), bewilligt (approved), or abgelehnt (rejected). The first payment usually arrives within 4–8 weeks after submission. For a detailed step-by-step guide, check our dedicated article on applying for Kindergeld.

Child benefit for foreigners and new immigrants

Eligibility for child benefit in Austria does not depend on nationality — the key requirement is the centre of vital interests being in Austria and the child’s permanent residence in the country. EU/EEA citizens receive the benefit under the same conditions as Austrians. Third-country nationals need a valid Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit).

An important note for those moving from Germany: German Kindergeld and Austrian Familienbeihilfe cannot be paid simultaneously. EU countries exchange data through the TRESS system. If you received Kindergeld in Germany, you must cancel it before moving to Austria. As Der Standard reports, dual payments are excluded by EU law.

For Ukrainian refugees and subsidiary protection holders, special rules have applied since July 2026 — we cover these in a separate article.

Familienbeihilfe payment dates in 2026

Familienbeihilfe is paid monthly, usually in the middle of the month. The exact date depends on the day of the week and public holidays. Payments are typically made between the 10th and 20th of each month for the current month.

According to Finanz.at, exact payment dates are published on the official Federal Chancellery website. If you change your bank account, you must notify the Finanzamt immediately — otherwise, payment may be delayed by several weeks.

The total amount of child benefit a family receives over years of raising children can run into tens of thousands of euros. Familienbeihilfe is not charity but a legal right of every parent living in Austria. It’s important to claim all entitled benefits as soon as possible — many can be paid retroactively for a maximum of five years.

— Family Law Expert, Wirtschaftskammer Österreich

Frequently asked questions about child benefit in Austria

Is Familienbeihilfe paid automatically after birth?

Yes, for children born in Austria from 1 May 2019, Familienbeihilfe is paid automatically after the birth is registered at the Standesamt (registry office). No separate application is needed. For births before this date or when moving from abroad, you must submit an application through FinanzOnline or using form Beih100.

Can foreigners receive child benefit in Austria?

Yes, EU citizens and third-country nationals with a valid residence permit have equal entitlement. The main condition is that the child must permanently reside in Austria and the family’s centre of vital interests must be in the country.

Until what age is child benefit paid?

Familienbeihilfe is paid until age 24 (in some cases 25) if the child is in education or vocational training. If the child starts working before completing their education, the benefit stops when their annual income exceeds €15,000.

What documents are needed to apply for child benefit?

You will need: the child’s Geburtsurkunde (birth certificate), your Meldezettel (residence registration), your IBAN (bank account), and — for third-country nationals — a copy of your Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit). For students over 18, you need to provide proof of enrolment (Studienbestätigung) each year.

How to claim child benefit in Austria — quick guide

Child benefit (Kindergeld / Familienbeihilfe) is the most important financial support for families with children in Austria. Here’s what to do:

• Check your eligibility — centre of vital interests in Austria, child living with you
• Apply through FinanzOnline — or use the paper form Beih100 if you prefer
• Provide the correct IBAN — so payments arrive without delays
• Claim the Familienbonus Plus — through your employer (form E30) or in your annual tax return, giving you up to €2,000 per year per child
• Keep track of payment dates — notify the Finanzamt immediately if you change bank accounts
• Submit proof of enrolment annually — for students over 18, otherwise payments may be stopped

If you haven’t applied for Familienbeihilfe yet, use our step-by-step application guide. And to stay updated on new articles about life in Austria, subscribe to our newsletter.