Austrian Family Allowance (Familienbeihilfe) 2026: Amounts, Eligibility and Applications
Austria’s Familienbeihilfe is a family allowance for parents raising children. The amount depends on the child’s age and the number of children in the family. In 2026, the allowance remains at the 2025 level and is not increased for inflation.
How long is Familienbeihilfe paid?
As a general rule, Familienbeihilfe is paid without additional conditions until the child reaches adulthood, at age 18.
After the child turns 18, the allowance can continue if the child is studying, completing vocational training or further education, generally until the child’s 24th birthday.
The child’s income is not taken into account until the year in which the child turns 19. From the calendar year in which the child turns 20, the child’s taxable total income must not exceed 17,212 euros per year in 2026 and 2027. If this limit is exceeded, only the amount above the limit must be repaid. Special rules determine which taxable income is included for Familienbeihilfe purposes.
Familienbeihilfe cannot be collected in cash. It is paid into a bank account.
Children with a disability may qualify for Familienbeihilfe until age 25. In certain cases, where the disability means that the child is permanently unable to support themselves, there is no age limit.
Who can receive Familienbeihilfe in Austria?
Parents may qualify if they:
- have employment or self-employment in Austria;
- live in the same household as the child, or mainly support the child if neither parent is part of the child’s household;
- are the parent primarily entitled to the allowance. As a general rule, Familienbeihilfe is paid to the mother, although the father can apply to receive it;
- continue to meet the conditions after the child turns 18, including the requirement that the child is studying or falls within one of the special cases.
Do you have to apply for Familienbeihilfe?
Familienbeihilfe can be claimed at any time, but payments can normally be granted retroactively for only five years, counted from the month in which the application is submitted. The responsible authority is Finanzamt Österreich.
Automatic payments for children born in Austria
Since 1 May 2015, Familienbeihilfe has been automatic for every child born in Austria. The registry office records the child’s and parents’ identification details in the Zentrales Personenstandsregister (ZPR). The information is sent to the Bundesministerium für Inneres (BMI), which operates the ZPR, and then forwarded to the Finanzverwaltung.
Finanzamt checks electronically whether the requirements and information needed for payment are available. If everything is complete, the parents do not need to submit an application or contact the responsible Finanzamt. They receive an information letter confirming the entitlement, and the allowance is transferred to their bank account.
If information is missing, such as the bank account details including IBAN and BIC, the parents are asked to provide the missing details or answer outstanding questions. In this case, a new application is still not required: the information letter should be returned with the answers and supporting documents.
Further questions can be directed to the Finanzamt Infocenter.
When an application is required
In other situations, such as moving to Austria or starting work in Austria, an application for Familienbeihilfe is required. The application can be submitted electronically through FinanzOnline to the Finanzamt responsible for the place of residence. The required forms are available online.
For adult children, parents generally still submit the application because they are primarily entitled to the allowance. A child can apply independently only if they no longer live in the same household as their parents and the parents demonstrably do not fulfil their maintenance obligation.
What if the child lives in another EU country?
The basic principle for Austrian family benefits is that the family’s centre of life, or Lebensmittelpunkt, is in Austria. In an EU cross-border situation, such as when one parent works in Austria while the child lives in another EU country, the rules of Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004 determine which country pays first.
As a general rule, the primary country is the country where the parent works and is insured. If the benefit from the other country is higher, that country may pay the difference, known as Ausgleichszahlung or Differenzbetrag. In Austria, the difference can be requested from Finanzamt Österreich using the Beih38 form.
The indexation system applied between 2019 and June 2022, which reduced payments for children living in certain other countries, is no longer in force. On 16 June 2022, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that it was contrary to EU law. Austria abolished the system and automatically paid the difference in August 2022. Anyone who did not receive the later payment because information was missing can submit an application to Finanzamt Österreich. Further information is available on the Bundeskanzleramt website.
Familienbeihilfe amounts in 2026 and 2027
In 2026, the monthly Familienbeihilfe amount ranges from 138.40 euros to 200.40 euros, depending on the child’s age. The accompanying Kinderabsetzbetrag is 70.90 euros per child per month. Together, these payments provide between 209.30 euros and 271.30 euros per child per month, depending on age.
The following amounts apply in both 2026 and 2027:
- From birth, ages 0–2: 138.40 euros per month
- From age 3, ages 3–9: 148.00 euros per month
- From age 10, ages 10–18: 171.80 euros per month
- From age 19: 200.40 euros per month
The Kinderabsetzbetrag is 70.90 euros per child per month in both 2026 and 2027. It is paid together with Familienbeihilfe.
The sibling supplement, or Geschwisterstaffelung, also depends on the number of children. It is paid for each child: the supplement is 8.60 euros per child for two children and 63.10 euros per child for seven or more children.
In 2026 and 2027, Familienbeihilfe, Kinderabsetzbetrag, Schulstartgeld and Mehrkindzuschlag remain at the 2025 level and are not increased in line with inflation.
When is Familienbeihilfe paid?
Familienbeihilfe and Kinderabsetzbetrag are transferred to the bank account provided to Finanzamt Österreich. The allowance cannot be paid in cash.
Mehrkindzuschlag for families with several children
Parents raising three or more children may also qualify for Mehrkindzuschlag, the additional allowance for families with several children. It is separate from the age-based Familienbeihilfe and the Kinderabsetzbetrag.
Practical steps
- Check whether you meet the residence, employment, household and education requirements.
- For a child born in Austria, wait for the information letter from Finanzamt and provide any missing details or documents requested.
- If an application is required, submit it electronically through FinanzOnline to the Finanzamt responsible for your place of residence.
- Provide complete bank details, including IBAN and BIC, so the payment can be transferred.
- If the child lives in another EU country, check which country is primarily responsible and use the Beih38 form to request an Austrian difference payment where applicable.
- Keep proof of education and other supporting documents for payments continuing after the child turns 18.