Changes in family benefits for Ukrainians in Austria: what you need to know in 2025

Austria has changed the rules for Ukrainians to receive family benefits. Find out who is eligible for benefits, how to apply, and when you need to renew your documents so you don't lose your benefits

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine

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On October 31, 2025, amendments to the Familienlastenausgleichsgesetz and Kinderbetreuungsgeldgesetz laws came into force in Austria, affecting internally displaced persons from Ukraine. This was reported by the Embassy of Ukraine in Austria.

The changes apply to Ukrainians who receive family assistance (Familienbeihilfe) and childcare assistance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld).

Term of payments and main requirements

According to the updates, payments have been extended until June 30, 2026.

However, in order to retain their entitlement to assistance, Ukrainians must be:

● employed, or

● registered with the AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice) employment service

by November 1, 2025.

Failure to comply with these conditions may result in the temporary suspension of payments. At the same time, the Austrian authorities have left a number of exceptions for those who are objectively unable to work.

Who does not need to register with the AMS

Registration is not mandatory if you:

● have medical confirmation of incapacity for work or serious illness;

● are caring for a child under 2 years of age;

● are on maternity leave;

● are studying;

● receive a pension (both in Ukraine and Austria);

● are caring for a relative who has Pflegestufe 3 status or higher.

In such cases, payments are automatically maintained if all supporting documents are submitted.

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How to submit or update an application?

To receive family allowance (Familienbeihilfe)

You can submit your application online via the FinanzOnline portal or by mail to your local tax office (Finanzamt).

To receive childcare allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld)

Applications can be submitted via meinesv.at or directly to the relevant health insurance provider. In case of rejection, it is possible to reapply if the reasons for rejection have been eliminated or new documents have been provided.

What will change for families with disabled children?

Ukrainian families who received increased benefits for a disabled child will receive letters from the Austrian tax authorities asking them to confirm their entitlement to further payments. You do not need to submit a new application — it is sufficient to provide the documents requested by the tax office.

You can also find all the information on the official AMS website (Änderung des Familienlastenausgleichgesetztes (ams.at).

Practical advice: if you are planning to travel to Austria or another country, take out medical insurance for travel abroad on the Visit Ukraine platform. The policy will come in handy when visiting a doctor, being hospitalized, or even when applying for a visa or residence permit, where medical insurance may be a prerequisite. It only takes a few minutes to apply online and will help you feel protected in any situation.

We remind you! The EU has extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 4, 2027. Read about which countries supported the decision, how the status that provides this protection is extended, and what the plans are after 2027.

Photo: AFP

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