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Family allowances in Switzerland: 2026 amounts by canton and rules for cross-border commuters

In Switzerland every employee receives at least CHF 215 a month per child, and CHF 268 for a child in education, paid by the employer with the salary. Your employer’s canton can pay more: CHF 215 to CHF 330 for a first child. You do not need a Swiss bank account: the allowances follow your salary.

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2026 amounts, canton by canton

What counts is the canton where your employer has its head office, or the branch that employs you, not your canton of residence. Some cantons also pay a birth or adoption allowance.

Family allowances 2026 by canton, in CHF per month and per child
CantonChild (up to 16)Education (16 to 25)Birth or adoption (one-off)Details
Aargau225278—
Appenzell Ausserrhoden230280—
Appenzell Innerrhoden245298—
Basel-Landschaft215268—
Basel-Stadt275325—
Bern250310—
Fribourg265 / 285325 / 3451,5001st amount for each of the first 2 children, 2nd from the 3rd
Geneva311 / 411415 / 5152,073 / 3,0731st amount for each of the first 2 children, 2nd from the 3rd · Birth: 2nd amount per child for multiple births
Glarus215268—
Grisons240290—
Jura2753251,500
Lucerne215 / 2602681,075Child: 1st amount up to age 12, 2nd above
Neuchâtel240 / 270320 / 3501,2001st amount for each of the first 2 children, 2nd from the 3rd
Nidwalden258311—
Obwalden220270—
Schaffhausen230290—
Schwyz2302801,000Birth only, no adoption allowance
Solothurn215268—
St. Gallen245298—
Thurgau215280—
Ticino215268—
Uri2402901,200
Valais327 / 435477 / 5852,142 / 3,2131st amount for each of the first 2 children, 2nd from the 3rd · Birth: 2nd amount per child for multiple births
Vaud322 / 365425 / 4681,617 / 3,2341st amount for each of the first 2 children, 2nd from the 3rd · Birth: 2nd amount per child for multiple births
Zug330330 / 385—Education: 1st amount up to age 18, 2nd above
Zurich215 / 268268—Child: 1st amount up to age 12, 2nd above

Federal minimum (FamZG/LAFam): CHF 215 per child and CHF 268 in education. Cantonal amounts from the FSIO, as at 12 December 2025. Excluding agriculture, which has its own scheme.

Who is entitled

  • Employees, even part-time: full allowances from CHF 630 salary a month (CHF 7,560 a year). With several employers, the one paying the highest salary pays.
  • Self-employed: same income threshold, apply to your compensation fund.
  • Not in work: taxable income of at most CHF 45,360 and no OASI/DI supplementary benefits. Vaud has raised the limit to CHF 60,480; Geneva, Jura and Ticino have removed it.
  • For your children, married or not, adopted children, your spouse’s children who live with you, and foster children.

Up to what age

  • Child allowance: from the month of birth to the month of the 16th birthday. Up to 20 if the child cannot work for health reasons.
  • Education allowance: from the start of post-compulsory education (at the earliest the month of the 15th birthday) to the end of education, at the latest the month of the 25th birthday.
  • No education allowance if the young person earns more than CHF 30,240 gross a year.

One allowance per child

When both parents are entitled, only one receives it, in this order: the one who works; the one with parental authority; with joint authority, the one the child lives with; if everyone lives together, the one who works in the child’s canton of residence; otherwise, the one with the higher OASI-liable income.

The other parent receives the difference if their canton pays more, provided they work.

Cross-border commuters: who pays, Switzerland or your country?

Between Switzerland and the EU/EFTA, a single rule decides which country pays first:

  • The other parent works in your country of residence: your country pays first (in France the CAF, in Germany the Familienkasse). On request, your employer’s Swiss fund pays you the difference if the Swiss amount is higher.
  • The other parent does not work, or also works in Switzerland: Switzerland pays first, with your salary. If your country’s benefits are higher, it tops them up.
  • The Swiss fund asks for a statement of what your country pays you (in France, form E 411 from the CAF).
  • Children living in the EU or EFTA receive the full allowances. Birth and adoption allowances are not paid for a child living abroad.

Other formalities for cross-border commuters: Cross-border.

Do you need a Swiss bank account?

No. As an employee you receive the allowances from your employer with your salary, into the account it pays your salary to, in Switzerland or in your country. If a fund pays you directly (self-employed, not in work, difference), it asks for your bank details: ask whether it pays into a foreign account and at what cost. Opening an account in Switzerland without a B permit: Bank account without a B permit.

How to apply

  • Employees: fill in the application form and give it to your employer, who sends it to its family allowance fund.
  • Self-employed: to your compensation fund. Not in work: to the cantonal fund of your canton of residence.
  • Up to 5 years back: a late application is paid retroactively.
  • Report every change (birth, end of education, separation, the other parent’s work): allowances received wrongly must be paid back.

Check the formalities and deadlines that apply to you

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Frequently asked questions

How much are family allowances in Switzerland?

At least CHF 215 a month per child and CHF 268 for a child in education. Depending on the employer’s canton, up to CHF 330 for a first child, and more from the third child in some cantons.

Do I need a Swiss bank account to receive family allowances?

No: an employee receives them from the employer with the salary, into the salary account, Swiss or foreign.

Are cross-border commuters entitled to Swiss family allowances?

Yes. If the other parent works in the country of residence, that country pays first and the Swiss fund pays the difference; otherwise Switzerland pays first.

Up to what age are family allowances paid?

The child allowance up to the month of the 16th birthday, then the education allowance until the end of education, at the latest the month of the 25th birthday.

Can I claim family allowances retroactively?

Yes, for the last 5 years at most.

Sources

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