You are expecting your first child: financial assistance
Verified 25 October 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
If you are expecting your first child, you can benefit from assistance during pregnancy and after birth, under certain conditions.
During pregnancy
- You may be entitled to birth premium. It is paid on a means-tested basis during pregnancy. It helps to finance expenses related to the birth of the child.
- Your health expenditure are supported.
After birth
Several aids exist.
Support for the maintenance and upbringing of the child
You may be entitled to the basic allowance for the Early Childhood Care Benefit (ECEC). It is a means-tested payment. The purpose of the allowance is to help finance the costs of maintaining and raising a child.
Help with child care
- If you entrust your child to a registered nursery assistant, you may be entitled to free choice of custody complement. It is a partial payment of the mother's salary. You can also benefit from a tax credit.
- If you directly employ someone who is caring for your child at your home, you may be entitled to free choice of custody complement. It's a partial assumption of the person's remuneration. You can also benefit from a tax credit.
- If you use a micro-nursery, which is a group accommodation facility with a maximum capacity of 12 places, you can enjoy the free choice of custody complement for child care expenses. You can also benefit from a tax credit.
Help if you interrupt your professional activity to care for your child
If you completely or partially interrupt your professional activity to take care of your child and you prove 8 quarters of old-age contributions in the last 2 years, you are entitled to the Shared Child Education Benefit (PreParE) as long as your child is under 3 years old.
Help if your child becomes seriously ill or is injured or becomes disabled
You may be entitled to the daily parental attendance allowance (DPA). It allows you to temporarily stop your activity to take care of your child.
If your child has a disability, there may be a impact on your income tax.
Help if you are raising your child alone
You may be entitled to the Family Support Allowance (FSA) if you are in one of the following situations:
- The other parent has not been involved in the maintenance of the child for at least 1 month (or the other parent pays you support of less than €195.85)
- The other parent did not recognize the child
- The other parent died.
Possible help from your town hall
Some city councils offer support on the occasion of a child’s birth. You can inquire at your local council (or communal social action center).