Austria changed payments to families with children for IDPs from Ukraine

In Austria, starting November 1, 2025, the procedure for calculating family benefits (Familienbeihilfe) and child care assistance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld) for forcibly displaced persons from Ukraine will change. The new requirements are stipulated in the updates to the Familienlastenausgleichsgesetz and Kinderbetreuungsgeldgesetz laws. This is reported by the Embassy of Ukraine in Austria.

Now, the main condition for continuing payments is official employment or registration with the Austrian Employment Service (AMS). Without this, it is no longer possible to receive assistance.

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Who must register

The requirement applies to individuals aged 18 to 65 who are currently unemployed but wish to continue receiving the specified payments. Registration with AMS or providing proof of inability to register can be done from November 1, 2025.

At the same time, registration is not required if you:

• are on maternity leave or are caring for a child under 2 years old;

• have serious health issues (with medical confirmation);

• are studying in school or university;

• are caring for a close relative (starting from level Pflegestufe 3);

• are receiving a Ukrainian pension or have reached retirement age in Austria.

How to apply

Applications for continued payments will need to be submitted through FinanzOnline (for family benefits) or through meinesv.at (for child care assistance). You can also contact the Austrian Tax Office (Finanzamt) or health insurance agencies by mail.

Payments may be delayed, and applications submitted before the changes will be considered in light of the new rules. If the documents are incomplete, applicants will be notified by mail or electronically – there is no need to submit a new application.

Increased assistance for children with disabilities

Those receiving increased family assistance for children with disabilities will receive letters asking them to confirm their right to payments. A re-application is not required; it is enough to send the requested documents to Finanzamt.

For consultations, Ukrainians can contact institutions ASBÖ or Diakonie, which provide social, legal, and labor support to Ukrainian families in Vienna.

Previously, we reported on the benefits of migration to Austria.