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Austrian opposition calls for free all-day childcare

Austria's centre-left opposition has renewed calls for free all-day childcare, arguing that documents from the corruption probe into ex-chancellor Sebastian Kurz show he sabotaged a previous effort to introduce this.

Published: 21 October 2021 17:12 CEST
Man and child playing with building blocks
Currently, childcare provision varies significantly between Austria's states. Photo: Ketut Subiyano/Pexels

All-day childcare is currently not available for all families in Austria, but the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) is calling for it to be mandated by law for children under three.

 At a press conference on Thursday, Pamela Rendi-Wagner, SPÖ Chairwoman, argued that Austria is lagging behind countries like Germany and Denmark that already provide all-day childcare.

Rendi-Wagner was joined by Lower Austria SPÖ leader Franz Schnabl at the press conference.

Currently, kindergarten in Austria is only mandatory for children from the age of five with a minimum requirement of 20 hours a week, which means many families are left without state-funded childcare in the afternoon.

However, childcare provision varies depending on the state with stark differences between places like Vienna, where parents can access subsidized all-day childcare, and Tyrol, where only the minimum allowance is provided by the government.

READ MORE: How does childcare work in Austria?

The demand for the expansion of childcare by the SPÖ follows recent allegations that former Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) blocked a proposed all day childcare law in 2016.

Rendi-Wagner said: “The expansion [of childcare] would have been an urgently needed step for children, schoolchildren, mothers and families.”

On Twitter, Rendi-Wagner also shared concerns about the amount of money currently being spent on childcare by the federal government.

She said: “Hope a few zeros have been forgotten here. But fear it is a sad reality.”

The SPÖ is now planning to introduce the issue to parliament, at both a state and federal level.

What is the background to the all-day childcare law?

Back in 2016, the Austrian federal government was considering a new law to provide families across Austria with all day childcare by 2020.

However, recently revealed communications between Kurz and Thomas Schmid, then-Secretary General in the Ministry of Finance, show the duo discussed blocking the planned law that was being spearheaded by then-Chancellor Reinhold Mitterlehner (ÖVP).

READ MORE: Who’s who? The key players in Austrian politics

According to the Kronen Zeitung, Rendi-Wagner says the law was blocked to allow then-Foreign Minister Kurz to pave a way to become Federal Chancellor.

Kurz became Chancellor in December 2017 but he recently resigned amid an investigation into alleged corruption. An explainer article about Kurz’s resignation can be found here.

The cost for the original proposal for all day childcare in 2016 was €1.2 billion.

According to the Austria Press Agency (APA), Austria’s municipalities have since benefited financially from the funds that should have been invested into childcare.

What are the other parties saying about childcare?

On Thursday, Upper Austria’s governor Thomas Stelzer (ÖVP) and FPÖ leader Manfred Haimbuchner, presented their political guidelines for the next six years. 

Der Standard reports that the plan includes an expansion of childcare in the state by increasing the number of childcare facilities and introducing longer opening times.

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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

Familienbeihilfe: How can I get Austria’s family allowance payments?

Austrian residents raising children are eligible for family allowance, a monthly payment to help with child costs. But how much can you receive and how do you get the payments?

Published: 13 September 2024 16:06 CEST
Familienbeihilfe: How can I get Austria's family allowance payments?

If you have children and live in Austria, you may be entitled to receive Familienbeihilfe, or family allowance, a subsidy that helps parents with the costs of raising children. 

This allowance is available to Austrian residents whose centre of life is in Austria, provided they live in a shared household with their child. The family allowance applies to children up to the age of 18 but may be extended to 24 or 25 in some instances.

How do I apply for it?

In most cases, family allowance is granted automatically upon the birth of a child in Austria without the need for an application. 

The tax office will inform you of your entitlement after your child is born and registered in Austria. Still, you may be asked to provide additional details such as bank information – or further proof that your centre of life is in Austria. For example, the Financial Office in Austria (Finanzamt) may ask you to show proof that you live and work in the country. 

READ ALSO: What you need to know about parental leave in Austria

If an application is required – usually when the child was not born in Austria- if you are moving here with your family, it must be submitted to the local tax office either online via FinanzOnline or in person.

You will need to provide the birth certificate and residence registration (Meldezettel) for both the child and the applicant.

You can apply online at FinanzOnline, search for Familienbeihilfe on the website, and then click on the application page. You can also use the form Beih100 and hand it in in person after an appointment, sending it to the Finanzamt by mail or dropping it in the post box outside each local Finanz office. You can check addresses HERE.

How much is the family allowance?

The monthly family allowance depends on the age of the child:

  • €132.30 from birth
  • €141.50 when the child turns 3
  • €164.20 from age 10
  • €191.60 from age 19

If you have multiple children, you are entitled to a supplementary allowance that increases with each additional child. The Austrian government also provides a school start allowance of €116.10 in August for children aged between 6 and 15.

For children with significant disabilities, the allowance is increased by €180.90 per month, provided you submit a medical certificate certifying the child’s disability.

How is Family Allowance paid?

Payments are made monthly, and the parent in charge of the household, usually the mother, receives the allowance. However, the mother can waive this right in favour of the other parent if desired. Since January 2024, the amount has been adjusted automatically for inflation, ensuring continued support for families as living costs rise.

READ NEXT: What you need to know about Austria’s child support benefits

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