Childcare Periods, Buying Study Years and Voluntary Pension Insurance in Austria (2026)

Your Austrian pension is based on more than the years you spend working. Childcare periods may count towards your pension, Austrian school and university years can be purchased retrospectively, and voluntary insurance can add insurance months. Here is how these options work in 2026.

Key points

• Up to 48 months of childcare periods can count for each child. For twins or multiple births, the maximum is 60 months.
• Childcare periods cannot be purchased retrospectively; the law does not allow this.
• Austrian school and university years can be purchased before the pension start date. In 2026, the cost is 1,580.04 euros per month.
• The contribution for voluntary insurance (Selbstversicherung, Weiterversicherung) is generally 22.8% of the contribution basis.
• The maximum annual payment for supplementary insurance (Höherversicherung) is 13,860 euros in 2026.

How childcare periods count towards an Austrian pension

Childcare periods (Kindererziehungszeiten) are periods mainly devoted to raising a child. They may apply not only to a biological child, but also to a stepchild, adopted child or foster child. For a foster child, the free care must have been taken over after 31 December 1987.

Childcare carried out in Austria or in an EU or EEA state can count for a maximum of 48 months. The period starts in the month after the child’s birth and ends at the latest in the month in which the child turns four. If another child is born within four years, the first child’s childcare period ends when the second child’s period begins.

Each month can be credited to only one parent: the parent who actually and predominantly raised the child. If you work during this period, there is no double credit. However, when the pension is calculated, the fixed value of the childcare period is added to the contribution basis from your earnings, up to the maximum contribution basis.

How much is a month of childcare worth?

For people born after 1 January 1955, childcare months are valued at a fixed amount on the pension account (Pensionskonto). For people born before 1955, they count as substitute periods (Ersatzzeiten).

• 2024: 2,163.78 euros monthly valuation
• 2025: 2,300.10 euros monthly valuation
• 2026: 2,468.01 euros monthly valuation

Splitting pension credits between parents

Voluntary pension splitting (Pensionssplitting) has existed since 2005. For the child’s first seven years, the working parent can transfer up to 50% of the amount credited to their pension account to the parent raising the child.

The application must be made to the responsible pension insurer by the child’s 10th birthday. If there are several children, transfers are possible for a total of no more than 14 years.

Buying school and university years

School, study and training periods (Schul-, Studien- und Ausbildungszeiten) generally count towards a pension only if retrospective contributions are paid for them. They then qualify as voluntary insurance periods.

Only periods after the age of 15 spent at a domestic, meaning Austrian, public educational institution can be purchased.

• Secondary school, such as Handelsschule: up to 24 months
• Upper secondary school or academy, such as AHS, HTL or HAK: up to 36 months
• University, university of applied sciences or arts academy: up to 72 months

Up to 12 months can be purchased for each school year and 6 months for each university semester. Within these limits, you can choose how many months to purchase.

Cost and payment conditions in 2026

The cost in 2026 is 1,580.04 euros per month. For people born before 1 January 1955, purchasing periods after their 60th birthday costs 3,697.29 euros per month. This risk surcharge does not apply to people born after 31 December 1954.

The fee can be paid in instalments, but the number of instalments may not exceed three times the number of months purchased. If payments are interrupted without justification, the fee is recalculated according to age. The amount paid can be deducted in full as a special expense (Sonderausgabe) for tax purposes, without an upper limit.

Voluntary pension insurance in 2026

If you do not have compulsory insurance, you may obtain insurance months voluntarily.

• Continuation insurance (Weiterversicherung): available after compulsory insurance ends. One condition, for example, is at least 12 insurance months during the last 24 months. If you have fewer than 60 insurance months, you must apply within six months of the end of compulsory insurance.
• Self-insurance (Selbstversicherung): available from the age of 15 if you have a residence in Austria and have no or only a limited insurance record.
• Supplementary insurance (Höherversicherung): available alongside existing insurance to increase your pension. It can be started and ended at any time.

2026 amounts

• Contribution rate: 22.8% of the contribution basis
• Lowest contribution basis / contribution: 1,084.20 / 247.20 euros
• Highest contribution basis / contribution: 8,085.00 / 1,843.38 euros
• Self-insurance without a previous record: 4,042.50 euro basis and 921.69 euro contribution
• Höherversicherung annual maximum: 13,860 euros

Weiterversicherung and Selbstversicherung can be arranged retrospectively for up to 12 months. If you provide care at home for a close relative entitled to care allowance (Pflegegeld) of at least level 3, Weiterversicherung is free of charge and the state pays the contribution.

The increase paid from Höherversicherung is 75% tax-free. The remaining 25% is taxed together with the pension.

Where to apply

You can apply to purchase school years from any pension insurer where you have at least one insurance month. Applications for voluntary insurance must be submitted to the pension insurer (Pensionsversicherungsträger).

An informal letter also counts as an application; in that case, the official form must be submitted afterwards.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy childcare periods retrospectively?

No. The law does not allow childcare periods to be purchased retrospectively.

Can I purchase school years spent outside Austria?

Only periods spent at a domestic, meaning Austrian, public educational institution can be purchased.

How long can I wait before purchasing school years?

The application must be submitted before the pension start date (Pensionsstichtag). It is also possible to apply while studying, provided you already have an insurance period, for example from a vocational placement.

Practical steps

1. Check your insurance record and pension account (Pensionskonto).
2. Collect evidence of childcare, Austrian education and existing insurance periods.
3. Contact a pension insurer to confirm which periods qualify and how many months can be recognised or purchased.
4. Submit applications before the relevant deadlines, especially the child’s 10th birthday for Pensionssplitting and before the Pensionsstichtag for purchased study periods.
5. Ask for a written calculation of the costs and expected pension effect before paying.

This article is based on information available online and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Use it at your own risk and seek professional advice where necessary. Source: oesterreich.gv.at.