Legal framework
Since 2009 the LAFam sets a federal minimum, but each canton sets its own amounts above the floor. Allowances are financed by employer contributions withheld from wages.
2026 federal minimums
- Child allowance: CHF 215/month (up to age 16)
- Training allowance: CHF 268/month (16–25, in studies)
- Bonus from the 3rd child in some cantons
Amounts by canton (indicative)
- Geneva: CHF 311 / 415 (training), increased from 3rd child
- Vaud: CHF 200 / 230; CHF 250 from 3rd
- Valais: CHF 275 / 425; CHF 425 from 3rd
- Bern: CHF 230 / 290
- Zurich: CHF 200 / 250
- Ticino: CHF 200 / 250
- Schwyz/Zug: CHF 220–240 / 270–290
- Jura: CHF 250 / 300
Self-employed have the same entitlements, funded by their own fund.
Conditions
- Employed in Switzerland (or registered self-employed)
- The child must have a filiation or adoption link, or be dependent
- The child must reside in Switzerland OR an EU/EFTA state
- One allowance per child: if both parents work, priority to the one working in the child's canton of domicile
Application
- Form from the cantonal family allowance compensation fund (CAF)
- Documents: birth certificate, school/university certificate if in training, employment certificate of both parents
- Paid with salary or directly by the fund
Cross-border workers
EU/EFTA cross-border workers are entitled to Swiss allowances for children remaining in the country of residence. Coordination: if the other parent works in the country of residence, Switzerland pays a differential (the difference between Swiss and local allowance).
Tips
- Apply at hiring or at birth; allowances are backdated up to 5 years
- For higher education: send the university certificate each year before term begins
- If you change employer, notify the new fund to avoid interruption
