Child allowances 2026: What you're entitled to (CHF 215/mo.)

Child allowances 2026: What you're entitled to (CHF 215/mo.)

Child allowances are among the most important forms of financial relief for Swiss families. Since 1 January 2009, the Federal Act on Family Allowances (FamZG) has regulated the minimum amounts nationwide — but many cantons pay more. This guide gives you a complete overview of the current 2026 amounts, eligibility requirements, cantonal differences and special cases such as self-employed individuals and birth allowances.

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The current rates for 2026

Federal minimum

The Federal Act on Family Allowances (FamZG) sets the following minimum rates:

Allowance type	Child's age	Minimum amount/month
Child allowance	Birth to 16 years	CHF 215
Education allowance	16 to 25 years (in education)	CHF 268

These amounts have been in effect since 1 January 2025 and were increased compared to previous years (previously: CHF 200 and CHF 250 respectively). The next adjustment is expected in 2027.

Important: These are the minimum amounts. Many cantons have set higher amounts. It's worth checking the cantonal rates — especially if you live or work in a generous canton.

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Cantonal differences: Which canton pays more?

The cantons can increase the federal minimum amounts. Here is an overview of the main cantons (as of 2026):

Canton	Child allowance/mo.	Education allowance/mo.	Note
Zurich	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Bern	CHF 230	CHF 290	Above minimum
Lucerne	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Uri	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Schwyz	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Obwalden	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Nidwalden	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Glarus	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Zug	CHF 315	CHF 368	Significantly above minimum
Fribourg	CHF 265	CHF 325	Above minimum
Solothurn	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Basel-Stadt	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Basel-Landschaft	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Schaffhausen	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Appenzell Ausserrhoden	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Appenzell Innerrhoden	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
St. Gallen	CHF 230	CHF 280	Above minimum
Graubunden	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Aargau	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Thurgau	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Ticino	CHF 215	CHF 268	Federal minimum
Vaud	CHF 300	CHF 400	Very generous
Valais	CHF 305	CHF 440	Highest in Switzerland
Neuchatel	CHF 250	CHF 300	Above minimum
Geneva	CHF 311	CHF 415	Very generous
Jura	CHF 275	CHF 325	Above minimum

Notable: The cantonal differences are substantial. In Valais you receive CHF 305/mo. child allowance — almost 50% more than in cantons that only pay the federal minimum. The difference is even greater for education allowances: CHF 440 (Valais) vs. CHF 268 (federal minimum).

Which canton applies?

The determining factor is generally the canton where the employer has its registered office — not your canton of residence. If you work in the canton of Zug, you receive the Zug rates, even if you live in the canton of Zurich. For self-employed individuals, the canton where they are affiliated with the compensation fund applies.

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Eligibility requirements

Who is entitled to child allowances?

The following are entitled to family allowances:

1. Employees: All persons employed in Switzerland who pay AHV contributions — regardless of nationality, residence status or employment percentage.
2. Non-employed persons: Persons with a taxable income below CHF 44,100 per year who are registered as non-employed with the AHV. The allowance amount may be reduced.
3. Self-employed persons: Entitled in all cantons (since 2013 nationwide, previously only in individual cantons).
4. Unemployed persons: Receive family allowances through unemployment insurance.

For which children?

Family allowances are paid for:

• Own children (legitimate, illegitimate, adopted)
• Stepchildren (if living in the same household)
• Foster children (under certain conditions)
• Children of the spouse or registered partner

From when and until when?

• Child allowance: From birth to the 16th birthday (or until 20 if the child is unable to work)
• Education allowance: From 16 to max. 25 years, as long as the child is in education (apprenticeship, studies, gap year)
• No double allowance: Only one allowance is paid per child, even if both parents work

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Avoiding double payments: Rules when both parents work

When both parents are employed, the question arises: who receives the child allowance? The law regulates the order of priority (concurrence rules):

Order of priority

1. Employed person before non-employed person
2. Person with employee status before self-employed person
3. Person in the child's canton of residence before person in another canton
4. Person with higher AHV-subject income before person with lower income
5. Person with higher employment percentage before person with lower percentage

Differential payment (supplementary payment)

If the second-entitled parent works in a canton with higher allowances, they are entitled to the difference between the two cantonal rates.

Example: Mother works in the canton of Zurich (CHF 215/mo.), father works in the canton of Valais (CHF 305/mo.). The mother receives the allowance because she has first entitlement. The father additionally receives the difference of CHF 90/mo. through his compensation fund.

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Birth allowance: Which cantons pay extra?

Some cantons grant a one-time birth allowance when a child is born. This is paid in addition to the monthly child allowance:

Canton	Birth allowance (one-time)
Fribourg	CHF 1,500
Geneva	CHF 2,000
Jura	CHF 1,500
Neuchatel	CHF 1,200
Vaud	CHF 1,500
Valais	CHF 2,000

In addition to the birth allowance, some cantons also offer an adoption allowance of the same amount.

Tip: The birth allowance is not paid out automatically. You must apply for it at your family compensation fund — ideally right after the birth, together with the registration for the child allowance.

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How much of daycare costs do child allowances cover?

One of the most common questions: Are child allowances enough to finance childcare? The short answer: No — but they help.

Example calculation

	Federal minimum	Canton Valais	Canton Geneva
Child allowance/mo.	CHF 215	CHF 305	CHF 311
Daycare costs 2 days/week (subsidised)	CHF 600–800	CHF 500–700	CHF 600–900
Coverage by child allowance	27–36%	44–61%	35–52%
Daycare costs 3 days/week (private)	CHF 1,200–1,800	CHF 1,000–1,500	CHF 1,200–1,800
Coverage by child allowance	12–18%	20–31%	17–26%

Child allowances thus cover between 12% and 61% of daycare costs, depending on the canton and care volume. Together with subsidies and the tax deduction for care costs (more on this at Deducting childcare from taxes), the financial burden can be significantly reduced. A complete overview of daycare costs can be found in our guide Daycare costs in Switzerland.

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Child allowances for the self-employed

Different rules, same entitlement

Since 2013, self-employed persons in all cantons have been entitled to family allowances. The requirements:

• You are registered as self-employed with an AHV compensation fund
• You pay AHV contributions on your income
• Your AHV-subject income is at least CHF 7,350 per year (as of 2026)

Funding

For employees, the employer finances the family allowances through the FAK contributions (family compensation fund). For self-employed persons, it works differently:

• You pay the FAK contributions yourself (approx. 1–3% of income, varies by canton)
• The family allowances are paid to you by the compensation fund
• The FAK contributions are tax-deductible

Tip for self-employed persons: Check which compensation fund you are affiliated with and whether there are cheaper alternatives. The FAK contributions vary by fund. You receive the child allowance regardless of which fund you are with.

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Application: Where and how?

For employees

1. Form: Fill out the registration form for family allowances (available from your employer or the family compensation fund)
2. Documents: Child's birth certificate; for foreign children: residence permit; for stepchildren: proof of shared household
3. Submit: Hand the form to your employer — they will forward it to the family compensation fund
4. Payment: The child allowance is paid out together with your salary

For self-employed persons

1. Form: Request the registration form from your AHV compensation fund
2. Documents: As above, plus proof of self-employment (AHV certificate)
3. Submit: Directly to the compensation fund
4. Payment: Quarterly or monthly, depending on the fund

For non-employed persons

1. Registration: At the cantonal AHV compensation fund of your canton of residence
2. Proof of income: Tax certificate (income below CHF 44,100/year)
3. Payment: Directly by the compensation fund

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Combining child allowances with other family benefits

Child allowances are just one of several forms of financial support for families. Combine them with:

• Subsidies for childcare — income-dependent discounts for daycare and day-care families. More at Subsidies for childcare.
• Childcare vouchers — in cantons like Bern and Lucerne. All information at Applying for childcare vouchers.
• Tax deduction for third-party care costs (up to CHF 10,100 federal tax). Details at Deducting childcare from taxes.
• Health insurance premium reductions for health insurance. Tips at Health insurance for children.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I receive child allowances retroactively?

Yes, child allowances can be claimed retroactively for a maximum of 5 years. If you forgot to apply for the allowances at birth, you can claim them afterwards.

Are child allowances taxed?

Yes, child allowances are taxable income. They are added to other income and taxed normally.

What happens when changing jobs?

When changing jobs, you must re-apply for the child allowance with your new employer. Make sure there is no gap — inform the new employer in good time.

Do I receive child allowances abroad?

If you work in Switzerland but your child lives abroad (e.g. EU/EFTA), you are generally entitled to family allowances. The bilateral agreements apply. The allowance may be adjusted to the cost of living in the country of residence.

Can both parents receive child allowances?

No, only one allowance is paid per child. However, the second-entitled parent is entitled to any differential payment if their canton has higher rates.

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Conclusion

Child allowances are an important pillar for families in Switzerland. With CHF 215/month (federal minimum) or up to CHF 305/month (canton of Valais), they don't cover the entire costs of raising children, but together with subsidies, tax deductions and premium reductions, you can significantly reduce the financial burden. Don't forget to apply for the allowances in good time — and check whether you are entitled to a differential payment.

Find suitable and affordable childcare now on kizi.ch — and make the most of all financial options.

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Sources: Federal Act on Family Allowances (FamZG), Federal Social Insurance Office (BSV), AHV/IV Information Centre, cantonal family compensation funds. As of: February 2026.