Support for Children with Disabilities in Austria: Benefits, Care Allowance and Therapies
If your child has a disability, Austria offers several financial and practical forms of support to help with additional costs. Different benefits are handled by different authorities, so it is important to know where to apply. This overview summarises the rules applying in 2026.
At a glance
- The increased family allowance (erhöhte Familienbeihilfe) is 189.20 euros per month and is paid in addition to the standard family allowance.
- The child generally needs a disability level of at least 50 percent, or must be permanently unable to support themselves.
- Care allowance (Pflegegeld) has seven levels. In serious cases, additional hours may be included for children.
- Health insurance usually supports therapy costs, although families generally pay a contribution.
- A parent who provides care at home may be able to obtain free voluntary pension insurance.
Increased family allowance: eligibility and amount
Since 1 January 2025, the increased family allowance has been 189.20 euros per month. It does not replace the standard family allowance; it supplements it and is paid for as long as the standard family allowance is payable.
A child may qualify if:
- their disability level (Grad der Behinderung) is at least 50 percent, or
- they are permanently unable to support themselves.
The benefit can also be awarded retrospectively, for a maximum of five years from the month in which the application is submitted. Since 1 January 2023, the 60-euro portion is no longer deducted from care allowance each month; this is handled automatically.
Where to apply
Applications are handled by the Austrian tax office, Finanzamt Österreich. The form is called Beih3. After applying, the family is usually invited to a medical assessment. Since 1 March 2023, the process has been simpler for children up to the age of 18: the information from the disability pass (Behindertenpass) procedure may be sufficient, meaning that a separate medical assessment may not be necessary.
Care allowance for a child
Care allowance (Pflegegeld) is awarded at one of seven levels, according to the child’s care needs. Until the child reaches their 15th birthday, only care that exceeds the needs of a non-disabled child of the same age is taken into account. The details are governed by the Child Classification Regulation (Kinder-Einstufungsverordnung).
For a severely disabled child with at least two independent serious functional impairments, an additional flat-rate allowance (Erschwerniszuschlag) may also be included:
- Up to the 7th birthday: an additional 50 hours per month
- Between the 7th and 15th birthdays: an additional 75 hours per month
Therapies and early intervention
Common therapies include speech therapy, physiotherapy (Physiotherapie), music therapy and occupational therapy. These costs are mostly funded through the health insurance provider (Krankenversicherungsträger), and in some cases by the provincial government.
An application for therapy cost reimbursement (Therapiekostenersatz) can be submitted without a specific form. It will generally require a medical prescription, possibly a medical report, and the therapy invoice. In most cases, parents must pay a contribution based on their financial circumstances.
Early intervention (Frühförderung) is intended for the first years of life and may include medical, psychological and educational elements, often provided at home. The social department of the provincial government can provide information about the organisation responsible in your province.
Travel costs and aids
If you regularly take your child to therapy or medical appointments, you can apply to the health insurance provider for travel cost reimbursement (Fahrtkostenersatz). Reimbursement is limited to travel to the nearest contracted doctor or facility, including journeys to companies supplying medical aids.
Support is also available for aids (Hilfsmittel), subject to a contribution. The provincial authority and the provincial office of the Sozialministeriumservice may cover the remaining costs.
Pension insurance for the caring parent
A person who devotes most of their working capacity to caring for a child with a disability can take out free voluntary pension insurance (kostenlose Selbstversicherung) through the pension insurance provider (Pensionsversicherung).
The conditions include:
- care is provided at home in Austria,
- the person is entitled to the increased family allowance, and
- only one person can use the option, until the child reaches the age of 40.
In addition to parents, adoptive parents, foster parents, stepparents and grandparents may also apply. It can generally be arranged retroactively for up to 12 months, and under certain conditions for up to 10 years, at the earliest back to 1988.
If the child receives care allowance at least at level 3, further options are available. In these cases, the state pays the contributions in full:
- Favoured self-insurance (begünstigte Selbstversicherung): can also be used alongside part-time work.
- Favoured continued insurance (begünstigte Weiterversicherung): requires previous insurance periods and full working capacity to be devoted to care.
Tax relief and other assistance
Alongside the increased family allowance, a tax-free flat-rate allowance of 262 euros per month (Freibetrag) can be claimed without proof of expenses. It is reduced by the amount of care allowance received.
Instead of the flat-rate allowance, actual expenses can be claimed in the employee tax assessment (Arbeitnehmerveranlagung).
People on a low income may also apply for an exemption from prescription charges and the e-card service fee. A disabled child may qualify for school travel assistance (Schulfahrtbeihilfe) even for a journey shorter than 2 kilometres if walking cannot reasonably be expected.
Practical steps
- Check whether the child meets the requirements of at least 50 percent disability or permanent inability to support themselves.
- Apply for the increased family allowance through Finanzamt Österreich using form Beih3.
- Collect medical prescriptions, reports and invoices before applying for therapy cost reimbursement.
- Ask the health insurance provider about therapy costs, travel cost reimbursement and medical aids.
- Contact the social department of the provincial government about early intervention and possible additional support.
- If you provide care at home, contact the Pensionsversicherung to check eligibility for free voluntary pension insurance.
- Keep records of disability-related expenses for the employee tax assessment and check whether the 262-euro monthly allowance or actual-cost method is more suitable.
This article is based on information available online and does not constitute professional advice. For individual guidance, contact a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional, employment-law or labour-market specialist, or another relevant adviser.
Source: oesterreich.gv.at