Family Allowances in Switzerland 2025: Complete Guide

Family allowances (Kinderzulagen/Allocations familiales) are financial benefits paid to parents in Switzerland to help cover child-rearing costs. While Switzerland is expensive, these allowances can add CHF 3,000-5,000+ annually per child to your family budget. Understanding your entitlements and ensuring you claim all available benefits is essential for every Swiss parent.

Data: December 2024

What Are Family Allowances?

Federal Minimum Standards

The Swiss federal law (Familienzulagengesetz, FamZG) sets minimum allowance levels that every canton should generally provide:

Minimum federal requirements:

• Child allowance: CHF 200/month per child up to age 16
• Education allowance: CHF 250/month per child age 16-25 (in education/training)
• Birth/adoption allowance: Not federally mandated (canton-dependent)

Important: Most cantons pay MORE than these federal minimums.

Canton-Specific Variations

Cantons can (and do) offer higher amounts. The actual allowances you receive depend on where you live and work, not necessarily where you're registered.

Family Allowance Amounts by Canton (2025)

Canton	Child Allowance (0-16)	Education Allowance (16-25)	Birth/Adoption Allowance
Zurich	CHF 200	CHF 250	CHF 1,200
Bern	CHF 230	CHF 290	CHF 1,000
Geneva	CHF 300	CHF 400	CHF 2,000
Vaud	CHF 230/300*	CHF 290/400*	CHF 1,200
Basel-Stadt	CHF 275	CHF 325	CHF 2,000
Basel-Landschaft	CHF 200	CHF 250	CHF 1,000
Aargau	CHF 200	CHF 250	CHF 1,000
St. Gallen	CHF 200	CHF 250	-
Ticino	CHF 200	CHF 250	CHF 1,400
Lucerne	CHF 200	CHF 250	CHF 1,000
Valais	CHF 275/315**	CHF 350/390**	CHF 2,000

*Higher amounts for 3+ children **Higher amounts for 3+ children

Who Is Eligible?

Employees:

• Work in Switzerland (even part-time)
• Earning at least CHF 7,350/year
• Child lives with you or you contribute to support

Self-Employed:

• Paying AVS/AHV contributions
• Earning at least CHF 7,350/year

Unemployed:

• Receiving unemployment benefits

Annual Value Examples

Family in Geneva (2 children ages 8 and 18):

• Child 1: CHF 300 × 12 = CHF 3,600/year
• Child 2: CHF 400 × 12 = CHF 4,800/year
• Total: CHF 8,400/year

Family in Zurich (3 children ages 5, 10, 17):

• Children 1&2: CHF 200 × 12 × 2 = CHF 4,800/year
• Child 3 (student): CHF 250 × 12 = CHF 3,000/year
• Total: CHF 7,800/year

How to Apply

Employees

1. Inform employer's HR department
2. Provide birth certificate and school confirmation
3. Allowances paid with salary automatically

Self-Employed

1. Contact cantonal family allowance fund
2. Submit documentation (AVS receipts, income proof)
3. Paid quarterly or monthly

Non-Working Parents

1. Contact cantonal compensation office
2. Must meet income/asset thresholds
3. Annual renewal required

Education Allowance (Ages 16-25)

Eligibility:

• Full-time education or apprenticeship
• Earning under CHF 2,500/month
• Must provide annual school confirmation

Don't forget: This continues through university until age 25!

Birth and Adoption Allowances

One-time payments varying by canton:

• Low: CHF 1,000 (Zurich, Bern)
• Medium: CHF 1,200-1,400 (Vaud, Ticino)
• High: CHF 2,000 (Geneva, Basel-Stadt, Valais)
• None: Some cantons (Graubünden, St. Gallen)

Tax Treatment

Good news: Family allowances are completely tax-free and don't count toward taxable income.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not informing employer of new child - Report immediately
2. Forgetting education allowance at age 16 - Submit school confirmation before 16th birthday
3. Self-employed not applying - Must actively apply to cantonal fund
4. Assuming working student isn't eligible - Income under CHF 2,500/month is fine

Maximizing Your Benefits

Tips:

• Verify you're receiving correct cantonal amount
• Apply for birth/adoption allowance (sometimes requires separate application)
• Continue education allowance through university
• If both parents work, ensure proper coordination for highest amount

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In the future, checkeverything.ch will feature an interactive family allowance calculator. Stay tuned!

Important Legal Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional financial or legal advice.

All information and amounts mentioned are based on general cantonal regulations as of December 2024 and may not reflect current rules. Family allowance rates, eligibility criteria, and application procedures vary significantly by canton and may change through cantonal legislation. Birth and adoption allowances differ substantially between cantons, and some cantons may not offer them at all.

No typically provides: Cantonal family allowance regulations, amounts, and eligibility requirements are subject to periodic changes through cantonal decisions and federal law amendments. We cannot guarantee accuracy or completeness of information. Actual allowances received may differ based on employment status, self-employment income, cantonal residence, and other individual factors.

Verify with authorities: Always confirm current allowance rates, eligibility requirements, and application procedures with your cantonal family allowance office (Familienausgleichskasse/Caisse de compensation pour allocations familiales) or employer before making financial plans. Application deadlines and required documentation vary by canton and situation.

Professional consultation recommended for complex situations: If you have non-standard employment (cross-border work, multiple employers, self-employment combined with employment), consult with cantonal authorities or a social insurance specialist to ensure proper entitlement and avoid benefit conflicts.

This article does not create any advisory relationship. Reliance on this information is at your own risk.