🧸 How much child benefit do I get in Liechtenstein?

Yes

Quick answer

Families in Liechtenstein receive a monthly child allowance of CHF 310 from the Family Compensation Fund, rising to CHF 360 from the 10th birthday. The basis is the Family Allowances and Income Replacement Act (FZEG, LR 836.0). From the third child onwards each child gets CHF 360, and twins receive CHF 360 each from birth. On top comes a one-off birth allowance of CHF 2'520 per child — for multiple births CHF 3'070 per child. The myth: 'The birth allowance is always 3,070 francs.' Wrong — the CHF 3'070 applies only to multiple births; a single child brings CHF 2'520. The amounts were moreover raised on 1 January 2026, so older figures online are out of date. It is paid through the FAK, not through the tax system as in Germany.

📋 The rules

Child allowance 310, then 360: For each child the FAK pays CHF 310 a month; from the month in which the child completes its 10th year it rises to CHF 360.
More children, more per child: As soon as someone has more than two eligible children, the allowance for each child is CHF 360. Twins receive CHF 360 each from birth.
One-off birth allowance: On the birth or adoption of a child up to five years there is a one-off CHF 2'520; for multiple births CHF 3'070 per child. This is often confused.
The FAK is the provider: Responsible is the Family Compensation Fund (part of AHV-IV-FAK). Unlike German child benefit, the allowance does not run through the tax office but through social insurance and the employer.
Single parents and training: There is also a single-parent allowance, and for children in education the allowance continues beyond the age of 16. Entitlement requires employment or residence.

🔓 Exceptions

Cross-border commuters: If parents work in different states, the family's country of residence pays in principle; the Liechtenstein FAK provides a top-up (Differenzausgleich) if the foreign allowance is lower.
No double benefit: For the same child the allowance is paid only once. Whoever already receives an equivalent benefit abroad cannot additionally draw the full Liechtenstein allowance.
Entitlement must exist: The allowance is not automatic for every resident but requires employment in Liechtenstein or a corresponding residence and insurance relationship.

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Family allowances are an entitlement, but whoever gives false information pays it back. Wrongly received allowances must be reclaimed by the FAK, which can offset them against future benefits. Whoever fails to report a change — the child moves abroad, the second parent takes a job, a foreign allowance is added — risks a clawback over years. With cross-border commuters the most common mistake is to expect the full Liechtenstein allowance and the foreign one at once: the top-up applies, not the sum. Whoever budgets on outdated figures miscalculates — the amounts rose only in 2026. And whoever expects the CHF 3'070 birth allowance for a single child too will be disappointed: there it is CHF 2'520. In cases of good faith and severe hardship the FAK may waive a clawback wholly or in part.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

How high is the child allowance in Liechtenstein?

The child allowance is CHF 310 per child a month and rises to CHF 360 from the month of the 10th birthday. From the third child onwards each child receives CHF 360, and twins get CHF 360 each from birth as well.

How much do I get on the birth?

The one-off birth allowance is CHF 2'520 for a single child that is born alive or after the sixth month of pregnancy. Only for multiple births is CHF 3'070 paid per child, which is frequently confused.

Does child benefit run through the tax system as in Germany?

No, in Liechtenstein the Family Compensation Fund pays the allowance, usually through the employer. A tax allowance or a payment through the tax office as in Germany does not exist, because it runs through social insurance.

What applies to cross-border commuters?

For families with employment in several states the family's country of residence pays in principle. Liechtenstein provides a top-up if the foreign allowance is lower than the Liechtenstein one.

Are the old amounts of CHF 280 still current?

No, the family allowances were raised on 1 January 2026, so many figures circulating online are out of date. The current amounts are CHF 310 per child and CHF 360 from the age of 10 or from the third child.

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