Childcare Allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld)

There are two models of childcare allowance in Austria – income-related and flat-rate.

Parents who were employed at least 182 days prior to the date of birth can apply for the income-related allowance. The allowance amounts to 80% of the average of the last three salaries of the applicant but cannot exceed 2000€. The maximum duration of this payment model is ten months for one parent, or twelve months if the parents share the parental leave.

Each parent has to meet the following requirements:

1. She/He resides legally in Austria.
2. The child resides legally in Austria (i.e., has a residence permit).
3. She/He lives in the same household as the child.
4. Both parent and child have valid health insurance.
5. She/He is not entitled to childcare allowance from another country.
6. The family is entitled to child benefit (Familienbeihilfe) in Austria.

If parental leave is taken for longer than twelve (or fourteen months), there is no further entitlement to childcare allowance or public health insurance (for parent or child). It is necessary to find another source of health insurance during this time.
Parents not in employment prior to the birth or employed for less than 182 days at the time of birth, can apply for the flat-rate childcare allowance. The minimum duration of the leave is 365 days, and the maximum is 851 days (or 1063 days if the parents share the leave).

The amount of the allowance is the same for everyone receiving it – in 2020, 12366,20€ if one parent stays at home (and 15449,28€ if the parents share the leave).

The requirements are the same as the requirements for the income-based allowance.

Please note that once a childcare allowance application has been made, changes can only be made in the first fourteen days following submission.