Family Allowance in Austria: How to Get Child Benefit (Familienbeihilfe)

Family Allowance in Austria: How to Get Child Benefit (Familienbeihilfe) Complete guide to Familienbeihilfe (child benefit) in Austria: 2025/2026 rates, how to apply via FinanzOnline, eligibility requirements, and extra payments like Kinderabsetzbetrag. Topics: Daily Life, Economy.

Familienbeihilfe (child benefit/family allowance) pays up to €200 per child per month in Austria. Around 1.2 million families with nearly 1.9 million children receive this monthly payment from the state. The amount depends on the child’s age and is indexed annually, but indexation was suspended in 2026 due to the budget deficit. This guide covers everything: who is eligible, 2025/2026 rates, how to apply via FinanzOnline, and extra payments like Kinderabsetzbetrag (child tax credit) and Mehrkindzuschlag (large-family supplement). If you are also interested in tax benefits for married couples, our guide covers those as well.

Who is Eligible for Familienbeihilfe in Austria?

Parents are eligible for Familienbeihilfe if their centre of life is in Austria and they live with their child in the same household. The term “parents” includes biological parents, stepparents, adoptive parents, foster parents, and grandparents. If parents live together, the person running the household receives the benefit — by law, this is presumed to be the mother. However, it is possible to waive the right in favour of the other parent.

For children living apart from both parents, the parent who primarily provides financial support receives the benefit. EU citizens and third-country nationals with a valid residence permit are eligible under the same conditions. As oesterreich.gv.at states, all children for whom the benefit is claimed must have their permanent residence in Austria.

How Much is Familienbeihilfe in 2025/2026?

The amount depends on the child’s age and is paid monthly. Since 2023, the benefit has been adjusted annually for inflation. However, this indexation was suspended in 2026 due to the budget deficit — rates remain unchanged from 2025.

Child’s Age	Monthly Rate
From birth	€138.40
From age 3	€148.00
From age 10	€171.80
From age 19	€200.40

According to Finanz.at, families with multiple children receive an additional Geschwisterstaffelung (sibling increment), which increases the total monthly amount for each child:

• With 2 children: +€8.60 per child
• With 3 children: +€21.10 per child
• With 4 children: +€32.10 per child
• With 5 children: +€38.90 per child
• With 6 children: +€43.40 per child
• With 7+ children: +€63.10 per child

Kinderabsetzbetrag — an Extra €70.90 Per Child Per Month

Alongside Familienbeihilfe, the Kinderabsetzbetrag (child tax credit) is paid automatically. It amounts to €70.90 per child per month and is transferred together with the family allowance. No separate application is needed — payment is automatic once the Familienbeihilfe is approved.

The Kinderabsetzbetrag is not a regular benefit but a tax credit that works as a negative tax. Even if you pay little or no tax, you receive the full amount. As explained by oesterreich.gv.at, the credit is accounted for in your annual tax return (Arbeitnehmerveranlagung).

How to Apply for Familienbeihilfe in Austria

Good news: for births from 1 May 2019 onwards, no separate application is needed. The benefit is paid automatically once the birth is registered with the civil registry office (Standesamt). In all other cases — such as moving to Austria from abroad or for adult children — you must submit an application.

The application uses form Beih100 and can be submitted in three ways:

1. Online via FinanzOnline — the most convenient method, from home
2. By post to Finanzamt Österreich, Postfach 260, 1000 Wien
3. In person at your local tax office

Email applications are not accepted. As StartWien recommends, applicants should ensure that in section “1.1.3. Staatsbürgerschaft” the field “gültiger Aufenthaltstitel” (valid residence permit) is checked if applicable.

What Documents Are Required?

To apply for Familienbeihilfe, you will need:

• Child’s birth certificate (or an international birth certificate for births abroad)
• Proof of citizenship for both parents
• Residence permit (for third-country nationals)
• Social insurance number of the applicant
• IBAN of your bank account for payments

For adult children (18+), you also need proof of education — a school attendance certificate, university enrolment confirmation, or apprenticeship contract (Lehrvertrag). Without these documents, payments may be suspended. Our guide on compulsory schooling in Austria provides more details on the education system.

How Long is Familienbeihilfe Paid?

The benefit is paid from the child’s birth until they reach age 18. For adult children, the allowance can continue until age 24 (in exceptional cases until 25) provided the child is in vocational training — attending school, university, or an apprenticeship (Lehre).

For university students, the benefit is paid until age 24. Extension to age 25 is possible if education was delayed by military or civilian service.

Income Limit for Adult Children

The child’s own income is irrelevant until the year they turn 19. After that, an income limit applies: in 2026, the child’s taxable income must not exceed €17,212. If the limit is exceeded, the benefit only needs to be repaid by the amount of the excess (Einschleifregelung).

Importantly, 13th and 14th month salaries are not counted. Apprentice compensation (Lehrlingsentschädigung) and orphan’s pensions (Waisenpension) also do not increase taxable income. As the Arbeiterkammer emphasises, parents should monitor their adult children’s income developments.

Familienbeihilfe is not charity — it is a legal entitlement. Every eligible parent should claim it. Over the years, the monthly amounts add up to thousands of euros per child.

— Dr Maria Gruber, Family Counsellor at Arbeiterkammer Vienna

Mehrkindzuschlag — Supplement for Third and Subsequent Children

An often-overlooked bonus: the Mehrkindzuschlag (large-family supplement) is available from the third child onwards and amounts to €24.40 per child per month. The condition is that the family’s previous year income did not exceed €55,000. The supplement must be re-applied for each year — either through your annual tax return or using form E4.

According to the WKO, this rule applies to all children permanently resident in Austria or the EU/EEA. The application is particularly worthwhile for larger families, as the amounts add up.

Increased Familienbeihilfe for Children with Disabilities

For children with a degree of disability of at least 50%, an increased supplement of €189.20 per month is available on top of the regular benefit. The application is submitted to Finanzamt Österreich using form Beih3. The degree of disability is assessed by the Sozialministeriumservice through a medical expert opinion.

As the Sozialministeriumservice explains, the increased benefit can be paid retroactively for up to five years from the date of application. If the child already holds a valid Behindertenpass (disability card), a new assessment is not required.

Schulstartgeld — One-Time Payment for the School Year

Together with the September Familienbeihilfe payment, the Schulstartgeld (school-start allowance) is paid automatically. In 2025, this one-time grant is €121.40 per child aged 6 to 15. No separate application is needed — payment is automatic for all Familienbeihilfe recipients. Our school guide has more information on education-related financial support.

Since 2025, Schulstartgeld has increased by nearly 20 percent to account for rising school material costs. Families with multiple school-age children receive the payment for each child separately.

Familienbonus Plus and Kindermehrbetrag

In addition to Familienbeihilfe, parents can claim the Familienbonus Plus — a tax credit of €2,000 per child per year (€650 for children over 18). It can be claimed either through your employer (form E30) or as part of your annual tax return.

For low-income parents, the Kindermehrbetrag (child increase amount) applies: if the tax saving from Familienbonus Plus cannot be fully used, the tax office pays out the difference. As the BMF explains, you must have at least 30 days of taxable income in the year or have received childcare benefit (Kinderbetreuungsgeld).

Familienbeihilfe Payment Dates 2026

The benefit is credited to your account no later than the 8th of each month (for SEPA-zone accounts). If the date falls on a weekend, the transfer occurs on the preceding working day.

According to the Bundeskanzleramt, exact dates can be found on the official website. If you move or change your bank account, inform your tax office immediately to avoid delays.

Frequently Asked Questions About Familienbeihilfe

Is Familienbeihilfe paid automatically after birth?

Yes, for births in Austria from 1 May 2019, the benefit is paid automatically after the birth is registered with the civil registry. No separate application is required. For births before this date or when moving from abroad, you need to submit an application (form Beih100).

Who receives the benefit when parents live apart?

When parents live separately, the parent with whom the child lives receives the benefit. If the child lives with neither parent, the benefit goes to the person who primarily provides financial support.

Can foreigners in Austria claim Familienbeihilfe?

Yes, EU citizens and third-country nationals with a valid residence permit are eligible under the same conditions as Austrian citizens. The main requirement is having your centre of life in Austria and living with the child in the same household.

What happens when my child turns 18 and goes to university?

The benefit continues until age 24 if the child is studying or in vocational training. You must provide proof of education. The child’s own income must not exceed €17,212 (2026).

How to Get Familienbeihilfe in Austria — Summary

Familienbeihilfe is a valuable monthly support for all families in Austria. Here are the key steps:

• Check your eligibility: Do you live with your child in Austria? You are most likely eligible.
• Submit your application: For births from May 2019, payment is automatic. Otherwise, use FinanzOnline or form Beih100.
• Claim additional benefits: Kinderabsetzbetrag (automatic), Mehrkindzuschlag (from 3 children), and Familienbonus Plus (through your employer).
• Watch the deadlines: The benefit can be claimed retroactively for up to five years — don’t delay.

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