Do I get family allowances in Switzerland?
Yes — there's a family allowance per child, at least at the federal minimum. Under the Family Allowances Act (FamZG), the child allowance is at least CHF 215/month (birth to 16) and the training allowance at least CHF 268/month (16 to 25 in training). Cantons can set higher rates. Canton of Zürich example (illustrative): child allowance CHF 215 to age 12, then CHF 268, training allowance CHF 268. Entitled are employees (via the employer), the self-employed and non-working persons (with an income limit). The principle is "one child, one allowance", with an order of priority for who claims. In short: yes, per child — at least CHF 215 or 268.
📋 The rules
- Child allowance at least CHF 215/month (to 16)
- Training allowance at least CHF 268/month (16–25)
- Cantons may be higher (Zürich example)
- Entitled: employees, self-employed, non-working persons
- Principle "one child, one allowance"
🔓 Exceptions
- Non-working: income limit (~CHF 45,180/year) and no EL
- Disabled children: child allowance sometimes to age 20
- Difference payment possible if the other canton is higher
⚠️ Penalties & fines
This isn't about fines, but anyone who doesn't apply won't get the allowance automatically — it must be claimed via the employer or the family compensation fund. Double claims for the same child are excluded ("one child, one allowance"). Beware a myth: "both parents each get a full allowance" is false — there's only one allowance per child, with an order of priority; the second-entitled parent can at most get a difference. Tip: claim the allowance via your employer, and for separated parents clarify who has priority entitlement.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
How high are family allowances?
The federal minimum is CHF 215 a month for the child allowance and CHF 268 for the training allowance per child. Cantons can set higher rates. In the canton of Zürich the child allowance is CHF 215 to age 12 and then CHF 268 to age 16, with CHF 268 training allowance.
Who is entitled to family allowances?
Entitled are employees via their employer, the self-employed via their family compensation fund, and non-working persons within an income limit. An order of priority decides who receives the allowance, especially where both parents work or live in different cantons from each other.
What does one child, one allowance mean?
The principle means only one allowance is paid per child, not one each to both parents. An order of priority sets who is entitled first. If the second-entitled parent is in a canton with a higher rate, they can receive a difference payment on top of the priority allowance.
Up to what age are allowances paid?
The child allowance runs from birth to age 16, and to age 20 for disabled children in some cases. The training allowance runs from 16 to at most 25, as long as the child is in training. You usually have to prove the training with a certificate to keep receiving it.
Do I have to apply for the allowance?
Yes. The family allowance isn't paid automatically. Employees claim it via the employer, and the self-employed and non-working persons via the competent family compensation fund. For separated parents, clarify who has priority entitlement to avoid delays in the payment of the allowance.
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