Family allowance in Austria (Familienbeihilfe) 2026: amounts, eligibility and application

Parents raising children in Austria may receive family allowance (Familienbeihilfe) regardless of their employment status or income. The amount depends on the child’s age and the number of siblings.

Who is entitled to Familienbeihilfe?

The allowance is paid to parents. This includes biological parents, stepparents (the parent’s spouse), grandparents, adoptive parents and foster parents. Other people cannot receive it.

The main requirements are:

• The parent’s centre of vital interests (Lebensmittelpunkt) is in Austria.
• The child lives in the same household as the parent or, if the child lives with neither parent, the parent provides the majority of the child’s support.
• As a general rule, the child has a permanent place of residence in Austria.

If a child has to live elsewhere because of vocational training or education, the shared household is not considered to have ended. EU citizens must prove lawful residence under sections 8 or 9 of the Settlement and Residence Act (NAG).

Does the allowance go to the mother or father?

When parents share a household, the allowance goes to the parent who runs the household. The law presumes that this is the mother. The allowance can be waived in favour of the other parent: the other parent submits the Beih100 application, while the parent primarily entitled submits the Beih99 waiver declaration. It cannot be waived in favour of a person who is not a parent.

How much is Familienbeihilfe in 2026?

For the 2026 and 2027 calendar years, the following monthly amounts apply per child who permanently lives in Austria:

• From birth: 138,40 euros
• From age 3: 148 euros
• From age 10: 171,80 euros
• From age 19: 200,40 euros

Sibling supplement (Geschwisterstaffelung)

If allowance is paid for several children, the monthly amount increases for each child:

• 2 children: 8,60 euros per child per month
• 3 children: 21,10 euros per child per month
• 4 children: 32,10 euros per child per month
• 5 children: 38,90 euros per child per month
• 6 children: 43,40 euros per child per month
• 7 or more children: 63,10 euros per child per month

The child tax credit (Kinderabsetzbetrag) is paid together with Familienbeihilfe and does not require a separate application. It is not family allowance, but a benefit paid in the form of a negative tax.

School-start allowance

In August, 121,40 euros in school-start allowance (Schulstartgeld) is paid for every child aged between 6 and 15. It is paid together with the August allowance and does not require a separate application.

Additional benefits

Increased family allowance (erhöhte Familienbeihilfe): If the child has a disability of at least 50 percent or is permanently unable to support themselves, an additional 189,20 euros per month is paid. Apply using the Beih3 form; the child will then be invited for a specialist medical examination. For children under 18, since 1 March 2023, the data from the disability identity card (Behindertenpass) procedure is also sufficient.

Multiple-child supplement (Mehrkindzuschlag): If Familienbeihilfe is received for at least three children, the third and every subsequent child qualifies for 24,40 euros per month. The previous year’s taxable family income must not exceed 55 000 euros. A separate application is required every year, either in the employee tax assessment (Arbeitnehmerveranlagung) or the income tax return.

How long is Familienbeihilfe paid?

It is paid without additional conditions until the child turns 18. After the age of majority, it is generally paid only if the child is in vocational training or education, and at most until the child’s 24th birthday. It may be extended until the 25th birthday, for example after civilian service (Zivildienst) or in cases of significant disability. No allowance is paid during military, training or civilian service.

For university students, the prescribed minimum study period plus the grace period applies. Academic progress must be proven each year; as a general rule, at least 16 ECTS credits are required.

The child’s own income

• Until the year in which the child turns 19: the child’s income is not taken into account.
• From the year in which the child turns 20: taxable total income in 2026 and 2027 may not exceed 17 212 euros per year.

The limit is assessed without the 13th and 14th monthly payments. Apprenticeship pay (Lehrlingsentschädigung) and orphan’s benefits are not included. If the limit is exceeded, only the amount above the limit has to be repaid.

How to apply

If the child was born in Austria, no application has been required since 1 May 2015. Eligibility is checked automatically using civil registry data, an information letter is sent and payment is made at the same time. If information such as the bank account number is missing, it is sufficient to return the letter with the requested answers.

In all other cases, an application must be submitted to the tax office responsible for the place of residence. This can also be done electronically through the FinanzOnline system. The responsible institution is Finanzamt Österreich, and the application is free of charge.

As a general rule, a parent also applies for a benefit for an adult child. With the parent’s consent, the adult child can request that the allowance be paid directly into their own current account using the Beih20 form.

When is the allowance paid?

The monthly amount is credited to the current account no later than the 8th day of the month within the SEPA area, regardless of weekends or public holidays. Payment in cash is not possible.

Frequently asked questions

Can I receive Familienbeihilfe retrospectively?

Yes. An application can be submitted at any time, but the allowance can be paid retrospectively for a maximum of five years, counted from the month of application.

Does the allowance depend on the parents’ salary?

No. Familienbeihilfe is paid regardless of the parents’ employment and income. An income limit applies only to the multiple-child supplement and to the income of a child over 20.

What if the child does not live in Austria?

The amounts above apply to children who permanently live in Austria. Different amounts and rules apply to children living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

How do I report that eligibility has ended?

Notify the tax office using the Beih100 form, an informal letter or an e-fax.

Practical steps

1. Check that your centre of vital interests is in Austria and that the child meets the household and residence requirements.
2. For a child born in Austria, wait for the automatic eligibility letter and provide any missing information.
3. In other cases, submit the application to Finanzamt Österreich, online through FinanzOnline or by the available application route.
4. Use the relevant form for additional benefits: Beih3 for increased family allowance, Beih20 for direct payment to an adult child and Beih99 when waiving the benefit in favour of the other parent.
5. Keep records of education, vocational training and academic progress after the child turns 18, and report the end of eligibility using Beih100.

Note: This information is based on sources available online and does not constitute advice. Use it at your own responsibility. For professional advice, contact a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional, employment-law or employment-services specialist, or another relevant professional.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at