Switzerland with Kids: The Swiss Family Allowance Explained

Switzerland’s family allowance helps with the cost of raising children. It’s a national system with federal minimums, topped up by the cantons.

Below, we walk through who qualifies, how much you can get, how to claim, tax treatment, and cross-border rules—with a reference round-up at the end to official pages so you can double-check details for your particular canton and situation.

Quick answer: Does Switzerland “pay you to have kids”?

Yes, in a sense. This is done through family allowances paid monthly per child.

There are two main benefits everywhere in Switzerland: a child allowance (generally until age 16) and an education/training allowance (for apprentices and students up to age 25).

Some cantons also pay birth or adoption grants.

Employers fund and administer the scheme via compensation funds; the self-employed and non-working residents apply through the relevant cantonal fund. Parents are entitled to one allowance per child (no double payments). Additionally, you must apply; it’s not automatic.

Who qualifies?

Employees working in Switzerland (irrespective of nationality) and self-employed registered in Switzerland can claim for their children who meet age/education rules.
If both parents could claim, you don’t choose who gets it—the fund applies order-of-precedence rules (e.g., the parent working in the family’s canton of residence first; if still tied, the parent with the higher OASI-covered income).
Not working / low income: non-employed persons with low taxable income can claim via their cantonal office (thresholds set by cantons).
Unemployed: while unemployment insurance is in payment, the unemployment fund pays a supplement equal to the allowance amount (but only if no one else is entitled to the same child at the same time).
Children abroad / cross-border families: if your children live in an EU/EFTA country, Swiss entitlements follow coordination rules—to prevent double payment and to allow different (“top-up”) payments when Swiss amounts are higher.

Save for later:Swiss Pillar 1

How much can you get? (Federal minimums + canton examples)

Federal minimums (valid nationwide)

Child allowance: CHF 215 per month and child.
Education/training allowance: CHF 268 per month and child. These are minimums—cantons can (and often do) set higher amounts.

A special note on the agricultural sector: minimums are CHF 215/235 (lowland/mountain) for the child allowance and CHF 268/288 for education; agricultural employees may also receive a CHF 100 household allowance.

Canton-specific examples (2025):

Geneva (GE): CHF 311 per child (CHF 411 from the third child); CHF 415 education (CHF 515 from the third child); birth/adoption grant CHF 2,073 (CHF 3,073 for multiples).
Vaud (VD): CHF 322 per child (CHF 365 from the third); CHF 425 education (CHF 468 from the third); birth/adoption grant CHF 1,617 (doubled for multiples).

Amounts are paid monthly. The fund that pays is typically linked to the place of work (not residence) for employees; self-employed and non-working applicants claim with the cantonal fund where required.

Navigating the Swiss family allowance system (step-by-step)

Woman leaning against railing in front of water in Switzerland city

1) Employees

Tell HR you want to claim. They’ll submit your application to the company’s family allowance compensation fund and, once approved, pay the allowance with your salary each month.
Be ready to provide: identity/permit details, child’s birth certificate, custody and residence information, and—if the child is 16+—proof of education/training. If both parents work, the fund may ask for the other parent’s employment details to apply precedence rules.

2) Self-employed

Apply directly to your cantonal compensation fund (Ausgleichskasse/CAF). Forms and instructions are on your canton’s fund website.

3) Not working / low income

Apply via the cantonal compensation office (managed by the cantonal OASI/AVS office).

4) Timing, back-pay, and changes

Not automatic: you must apply.
Retroactive claims are possible—up to five years—if you forgot or only recently learned you were eligible.
Report changes promptly (moving canton, change of job, child turns 16, starts/ends training, custody changes), to avoid over/under-payments.

What counts as “education/training”?

For ages 16–25, allowances continue if the child is in education (apprenticeship, secondary school, university, approved training).

Edge cases, such as language stays, au-pair periods, military service during studies, have specific treatments; use the FSIO’s “Education allowance” Q&A to check your scenario.

Cross-border families (EU/EFTA): how coordination works

If your children live in an EU/EFTA country and at least one parent works in Switzerland, bilateral coordination applies. In short:

Only one country is primarily responsible at a time (e.g., the country of the parent’s employment or the child’s residence, depending on family setup).
The order of precedence decides which pays first; the other country may pay a difference (top-up) if its amount is higher.
You’ll be asked for forms and proofs to establish which system is primary.

A practical example from the authorities

EU/EFTA nationals employed in Switzerland with children resident in an EU/EFTA member state have the same entitlement as if the children lived in Switzerland; if the residence country also pays, Switzerland may pay the difference.

Are Swiss family allowances taxable?

Yes. Family allowances count as taxable income (they appear in salary statements and/or must be declared). They are not subject to social-insurance contributions, but you should include them correctly in your tax return. Always check your canton’s guidance or your tax adviser for local practice.

Save for later:U.S. Expat Taxes: How to File from Abroad in 6 Simple Steps

Moving to Switzerland with kids: Your first-month checklist

Before arrival: gather civil-status documents (birth certificates, custody documents), plus translations/apostilles when required.
Register in your canton (required to validate your visa, in any case), obtain AHV/AVS numbers, and open a Swiss bank/IBAN.
Tell HR (or your compensation fund if self-employed) and file the application promptly.
For teens (16+), collect school/apprenticeship confirmation so payments continue without interruption.
Cross-border families: keep proof of start/stop dates of entitlements in other countries to speed up coordination decisions.

FAQs

Do apprentices and university students qualify?

Yes—if they meet the definition of being in education (up to age 25). Check the FSIO “Education allowance” definitions for edge cases.

Can both parents receive the allowance for the same child?

No. There’s one allowance per child. If both parents could claim, the fund applies precedence rules; you can’t choose who gets paid.

How fast are payments?

Once approved, payments are monthly and typically accompany your salary (employees). Processing time depends on the fund and whether cross-border checks are needed. [1]

Can I claim retroactively?

Yes—up to five years.

Do amounts vary by canton?

Yes. The Confederation sets minimums; cantons often pay higher amounts (see examples for Geneva and Vaud above).

Common mistakes to avoid

Not applying (it isn’t automatic).
Missing the education proof at 16+, causing a temporary stop in payments.
Duplicate claims when both parents work (always disclose the other parent’s employment so the fund can apply precedence rules).
Forgetting to report changes (new job/canton, custody shifts, moving abroad), which can trigger overpayments to be repaid.

Wrapping up

Switzerland’s family allowance is straightforward once you know the levers: federal minimums, cantonal top-ups, and a clear application route through your employer’s fund (or the cantonal fund if you’re self-employed or not working). Keep documents current (especially for 16+ education), and loop in your fund early for cross-border cases so payments start smoothly. Check the official references below whenever you need the exact rules and current amounts for your canton, and remember: whether you’re planning for children or retirement in Switzerland, being proactive is always the best strategy.

Meet the Author

Arielle Tucker is a Certified Financial Planner™ and IRS Enrolled Agent with Connected Financial Planning. She's spent over a decade working with U.S. expats on U.S. tax and financial planning issues. She is passionate about working with U.S. expats and their families to help secure a financial future that is reflective of their core values. Arielle grew up in New York and has lived throughout the U.S., Germany, and Switzerland. Connected Financial Planning offers a complimentary introduction call for individuals and families seeking ongoing, comprehensive planning. You can schedule a call here.