Austria’s Kinderbetreuungsgeld 2026: how parental childcare benefit works

Austria’s childcare benefit, known as Kinderbetreuungsgeld (KBG), is the main financial support for parents during a child’s first years. You can choose between a flexible flat-rate system and an income-related system. The figures below apply in 2026.

Key facts at a glance

• There are two systems: the Kinderbetreuungsgeld-Konto, paying between 17.65 and 41.14 euros per day, and the income-related system, paying up to 80.12 euros per day.
• You can apply from the child’s date of birth, with payments backdated by up to 182 days.
• You can change systems only within 14 days of the first application.
• If parents share the benefit almost equally, each may receive a 500-euro Partnerschaftsbonus.
• If an Eltern-Kind-Pass examination is not proven on time, 1,300 euros is generally deducted.

Who is eligible for Kinderbetreuungsgeld?

The general conditions apply to both systems:

• You must live in a permanent shared household with the child, and you and the child must have the same registered main residence (Hauptwohnsitz).
• You must be entitled to Familienbeihilfe, and it must actually be paid for the child.
• Your centre of vital interests (Mittelpunkt der Lebensinteressen) must be in Austria.
• You must have lawful residence. For EU citizens, this is confirmed by an Anmeldebescheinigung.
• You must complete the Eltern-Kind-Pass examinations: 5 during pregnancy and 5 for the child after birth.
• You must stay within the applicable income limit.

If the parents live separately, the parent applying must also have custody rights (Obsorge) and must receive the Familienbeihilfe.

How much is Kinderbetreuungsgeld in 2026?

Flat-rate Kinderbetreuungsgeld-Konto

• Daily amount: 17.65–41.14 euros
• Duration for one parent: 365–851 days
• Duration for two parents: 456–1,063 days

Under the account system, the selected duration determines the daily amount: the longer the period, the lower the daily payment. Twenty percent of the total duration is reserved for the second parent and cannot be transferred.

Income-related Kinderbetreuungsgeld

• Daily amount: 80% of previous income, up to 80.12 euros, approximately 2,400 euros per month
• Duration for one parent: up to the 365th day from birth
• Duration for two parents: up to the 426th day from birth

The income-related system is available only to people who were continuously engaged in employment subject to Austrian sickness and pension insurance during the 182 calendar days before the birth and did not receive unemployment benefits during that period. A total of 14 days of interruption is disregarded. If the calculated daily amount is below 41.14 euros, an additional payment of 41.14 euros per day is available on application.

Under both systems, the parents can change between them no more than twice, creating a maximum of three blocks. Each block must last at least 61 days.

How much can you earn while receiving KBG?

• Account system: 60% of previous income, but at least 18,000 euros per year
• Income-related system: 8,600 euros per year

The limit is neither a gross nor a net amount. It is assessed retrospectively using a separate calculation method for each calendar year. If you exceed the limit, only the amount above the limit must be repaid.

Example for the income-related system: If you receive 5,000 euros in KBG and earn 8,900 euros in 2026, you must repay 300 euros (8,900 minus 8,600).

You can waive KBG (Verzicht) in advance for complete calendar months. Income earned during those months is then not included in the calculation. This does not extend the benefit period (Bezugszeit).

What supplements are available?

• Partnerschaftsbonus: If the parents share KBG in a ratio between 50:50 and 60:40, and both received KBG for at least 124 days, each parent receives 500 euros once, for a total of 1,000 euros. Each parent must apply separately.
• Supplement to the account system (Beihilfe): People on low incomes can receive 6.06 euros per day, approximately 181 euros per month, for up to 365 days. It is not available with income-related KBG.
• Multiple-birth supplement: Under the account system, the daily amount increases by 50% for each additional child in a multiple birth. There is no such supplement under the income-related system.

When do payments begin?

KBG is granted from the date of birth, but it is suspended while maternity benefit (Wochengeld) is being paid. Payment therefore starts after the protection period (Mutterschutz). The benefit period is not extended as a result. If Wochengeld is lower than KBG, the difference is paid.

You also have health insurance during the KBG period without submitting a separate application. Your unpaid parental leave from your employer (Karenz) does not have to coincide with the KBG period.

Where and how can you apply?

Apply to the responsible health insurance provider (Krankenversicherungsträger): the provider that paid your Wochengeld; otherwise, the provider with which either parent is insured; or, in other cases, the ÖGK.

You can apply in person, on paper, online using ID Austria, EU Login, FinanzOnline or meinesv.at, or through the Meine ÖGK app. Applications by email are not accepted. There is no application fee.

When applying, you must provide copies proving the five pregnancy examinations and the child’s first examination. The remaining examinations must be documented by the child’s 15th month. For general questions, you can call the free 0800 240 014 Infoline.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change between the two systems later?

Only within 14 days of the first application. The other parent is also bound by the selected system. There are no exceptions.

What happens if I apply late?

Payment can be backdated by a maximum of 182 days. Under the account system, it is therefore advisable to apply directly after the birth.

Can I receive KBG for two children at the same time?

No. KBG is paid only for the youngest child. When another child is born, entitlement for the older child ends and you must apply again.

How much is deducted if an examination is missed?

As a general rule, 1,300 euros is deducted. If both parents receive KBG, the deduction is made from both parents.

Practical steps

1. Check that you and your child share the same Hauptwohnsitz and that you meet the residence, Familienbeihilfe and insurance requirements.
2. Compare the account system with the income-related system, including the duration, daily amount and applicable income limit.
3. Gather proof of the required Eltern-Kind-Pass examinations.
4. Submit the application to the responsible Krankenversicherungsträger in person, on paper, online or through the Meine ÖGK app. Do not send it by email.
5. Apply promptly after the birth because back payments are limited to 182 days.
6. Keep records of your income and notify the relevant authority if you claim a Partnerschaftsbonus or Beihilfe.

This article is based on sources available online and does not constitute advice. Use of the information is at your own risk. For specialist advice, contact a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional, employment-law or labour-market specialist, or another relevant professional.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at