Family benefits and subsidies in Luxembourg

As a Luxembourg resident or cross-border worker, what family allowances can you claim? Depending on your situation, there are various types of grants and other financial aid available for your children’s education and schooling.

Here are the various family allowances available in Luxembourg.

• Birth Allowance
• Allowances for the future of the children with calculation of the family allowances thanks to our integrated calculator
• Back-to-school allowance
• Low Income Grant
• School Retention Grant
• Special supplementary allowance for a child with a disability
• Welcome Service Cheque (CSA).

Family allowances linked to the birth of a child

The birth grant is not automatic in Luxembourg. You have to ask for it. In addition, cross-border workers are not entitled to childbirth-related benefits on behalf of the mother. Furthermore, the birth grant cannot be combined with a birth grant paid in the country of residence.

Birth bonuses are paid on request, in 3 instalments of 580.03 euros each time. The conditions for obtaining birth allowances are as follows:

Prenatal allowance

Only the mother of the child benefits from the birth allowance. To qualify, she must be a resident of Luxembourg, or be affiliated to the Social Security system at the time of the last of the 5 medical or dental examinations required before the birth of the child.

Birth Allowance

The birth grant benefits the mother of the child. For this, the child must be viable (minimum 22 weeks gestation). In addition, the mother must be resident in Luxembourg or affiliated to the CCSS at the time of the birth. The mother must also undergo a post-birth medical examination by a specialist in gynecology or obstetrics.

Postnatal allowance

Postnatal allowance is paid if the child has been continuously raised in Luxembourg since birth. It is also paid if one of the 2 parents has been working in Luxembourg or is affiliated to it since the child’s birth and up to the child’s 2nd birthday. In addition, the child must have 6 check-ups by a doctor until the age of 2.

The Caisse pour l’Avenir des Enfants is the contact organization for applying for birth bonuses. See how to declare the birth of a child in Luxembourg.

Family allowances for children’s future

If you are or become a parent in Luxembourg, you can benefit from family allowances. These help parents raise and educate their children up to the age of 18, or until the end of higher education (maximum age 25).

In the Grand Duchy, family allowances depend on the family and professional situation, the composition of the family and the place of residence . Here are the conditions for obtaining family allowances and the steps to take to benefit from them for your children’s future.

What are the conditions for receiving the allowance for the future of children?

The allowance for the future of children is a personal entitlement for all children residing in Luxembourg, from the month of birth until the age of 18.

This assistance continues until the child reaches the age of 25 if he or she is pursuing secondary education. These studies may be general, technical, specialized, apprenticeship, or any other complementary or preparatory training. These studies must be pursued in Luxembourg for at least 24 hours per week. Higher education by correspondence is not eligible for the child’s future allowance.

Children who receive a differentiated education with adapted follow-up abroad can also benefit from the Child’s Future allowances beyond their 18th birthday.

In the event of the death of a beneficiary child, the allowance ceases the following month.

The “Zukunfskeess”, or”Caisse pour l’Avenir des Enfants” (CAE) , is the organization in charge of family allowances for the “Avenir de l’Enfant”.

Luxembourg residents

To receive this family allowance, the child must be legally resident in the Grand Duchy on a continuous basis .Otherwise, the child’s case must correspond to certain specific situations.

In the month following their 18th birthday, young people can apply to the CAE for a family allowance in their own name.

Non-residents, cross-border workers

Cross-border commuters are also eligible for child benefit, provided they meet certain conditions.

The child’s parents must work in Luxembourg and be affiliated to the joint social security center. Their child must reside in a European Union country that has a social security agreement with the Grand Duchy.

Specific case of European officials

A child of a European civil servant residing in Luxembourg and entitled to both Luxembourg and non-Luxembourg family benefits is not eligible for supplementary assistance. In this case, Luxembourg family allowances stop up to the amount of family benefits paid under the non-Luxembourg scheme.

Specific case of posted workers

In the context of the posting of workers, a distinction is made between posting to Luxembourg and posting outside Luxembourg.

• Secondment to Luxembourg

A parent on temporary secondment to Luxembourg remains subject to the social security system of the sending country. Her children have no entitlement to family benefits.

If one of the parents starts work in the Grand Duchy and registers with Luxembourg social security, Luxembourg pays the difference between the amounts paid by the sending country and those existing in the Grand Duchy.

• Secondment outside Luxembourg

There is no change in the case of a worker seconded to another European Union country, while remaining affiliated to Luxembourg social security and retaining his legal domicile within the European Union.

Family allowance payments in Luxembourg

Child benefit is paid at the end of the month, usually in the last week of the month for which it is due. However, the date may vary from month to month.

Family allowances in Luxembourg

There are two family allowance schemes.

Family allowance scheme since August 1, 2016

The child benefits from the new family allowance system in the following cases:

• If an only child or born on or after August 1, 2016.
• If her parents were living or working in Luxembourg on or after August 1, 2016.

Since this new law, only children born in or out of wedlock or adopted by a worker in Luxembourg can benefit from family allowances.

The allowance is standardized. The monthly family allowance is 292.54 euros per child.

Transitional family allowance scheme, before 2016

The child benefits from the transitional family allowance scheme:

• If born before August 1, 2016,
• If his or her parents were working or living in Luxembourg before August 1, 2016.

The amount of family allowance is :

• 1 child: 292.54 euros
• 2 children: 328.11 euros per child
• 3 children: 380.17 euros per child
• 4 children: 406.25 euros per child
• 5 children: 421.82 euros per child

The family also receives an additional allowance of 200 euros, as well as an age increase of :

• 22.11 euros per child aged 6 to 11
• 55.19 euros per child aged 12 and over.

How do I apply for child benefit?

All applications for child benefit must be submitted to the Caisse pour l’avenir des enfants.Parents must complete a form and submit it with the required documents.

Documents to be presented by residents

• An extract from the child’s birth certificate,
• A bank statement,
• Proof of authorization to stay in Luxembourg for all family members for residents of nationalities other than EU, EEA or Switzerland.

Documents for non-residents

• A certificate of residence,
• A household composition,
• An extract from the child’s birth certificate,
• A bank statement,
• If benefits were paid abroad: a certificate concerning the right to family benefits.

School-related family allowances

Back-to-school allowance

The back-to-school allowance eases the burden on families at a time when children need to be equipped for school: clothes, school supplies, etc.

For whom and under what conditions?

The allocation de rentrée scolaire (new school year allowance) is paid to children aged 6 and over when they start elementary school. They benefit from this until the end of their secondary education or equivalent.

Children admitted to the ^2ndcycle ofbasic education who have not yet turned six at the start of the school year are also entitled to the allowance. However, a school certificate must be presented.

Amount of back-to-school allowance

The back-to-school allowance is a single amount paid per child in August each year. It amounts to 115 euros for children aged 6 and over, and 235 euros for children aged 12 and over.

Steps to benefit from the back-to-school allowance

The back-to-school allowance is automatic. However, if a child is admitted to the 2nd cycle of basic education, but has not yet reached the required age of six, parents must present a school certificate in order to receive the allowance.

Low Income Grant

For whom and under what conditions?

The subsidy for low-income households benefits families with one or more dependent children enrolled in a Luxembourgsecondary or technical secondary school.

It can also be a private educational institution under contract if it applies the official program of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth. Finally, the student must be enrolled full-time or in concurrent education.

To qualify, families must meet a number of conditions, such as :

• reside with the student in school,
• have parental authority overthe child,
• have a net monthly income below the low-income household threshold.

Low Income Grant Amount

The low-income subsidy benefits households below a social index, which varies according to household composition and net monthly income.

The grant is paid in two instalments: the first instalment at the beginning of the school year, the second in April.

Depending on household circumstances, some students may also be eligible for a preferential rate for school meals .

How to apply for the low-income subsidy

The grant application must be made as an individual by October 15. It must be repeated each year with the SePAS (Psycho-social and School Support Service) of the high school of each student concerned.

An application must be made for each child in the household. The latter will be informed in November whether or not this social measure will be granted.

Find out more about the subsidy for low-income households

School Retention Grant

For whom and under what conditions?

The school maintenance grant is intended for students who have reached the age of majority, are in psycho-social distress and are forced to live on their own.

To be eligible for this assistance, several conditions must be met:

• Be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application,
• Be enrolled full-time – or in concurrent training – in a Luxembourg public secondary or technical secondary school. It may also be a private educational institution under contract if it follows the official Ministry of Education, Children and Youth,
• Continue your education until you obtain a diploma,
• Being forced to live alone and being in psycho-social distress, having to pay rent certified by a SePAS social report,
• Be followed by a social worker and/or a psychologist from SePAS.

There is no deadline for the submission of applications.

School Maintenance Grant Amount

The school maintenance subsidy operates on a per-school-year basis, depending on the applicant’s income situation and rental costs. Payment is made in three-monthly instalments from the date of application, to the account of the young person making the request. Payment stops three months after graduation at the latest.

How to apply for the School Retention Grant

All applications must be submitted by appointment to the school ‘s SePAS, in order to analyze the applicant’s social situation and submit an application file to CePAS for processing and approval.

There is no deadline for submitting files.

Scholarships for graduate studies

See this page to find out more about higher education grants

Special supplementary allowance ASS for a child with a disability

For whom and under what conditions?

The special supplementary allowance is a financial aid to compensate for the additional burdens caused by a child’s disability.

To qualify, the child must suffer from one or more conditions causing a permanent reduction of at least 50% in his or her physical or mental abilities compared with a child of the same age. Only the Social Security doctor determines the degree of disability . However, this assessment may vary from that of the child’s attending physician.

ASS monthly assistance supplements the family allowance. The child must therefore receive the latter. This financial aid is paid up to the child’s 18th birthday. It can also be extended to the age of 25 if the conditions are met.

Steps to obtain the additional special allowance

The Caisse pour l’avenir des enfants (CAE) is the contact organization for all ASS applications.

Parents must send the organization a duly completed form, as well as a recent detailed medical certificate .

Chèque Service Accueil – CSA, family allowance for extracurricular costs

Do your children attend a crèche, day-care center or Maison-Relais as part of theirbasic schooling? Do they participate in extracurricular activities? You can benefit from the Welcome-Service-Cheque.

What is the CSA or Chèque-Service-Accueil?

The Chèque-Service-Accueil is a financial contribution from the Luxembourg government for out-of-school childcare for children aged 0 to 12.

Financial support from the CSA or Chèque Service Accueil is aimed at families with one or more children. children in day care centers or day care homes or enrolled in theLuxembourg basic education. Families can benefit up to the child’s 12th birthday, or later if the child is still in the basic school system.

Financial assistance from the CSA consists of payment by the State of all or part of the cost of childcare. The CSA can also help finance extra-curricular activities with CSA service providers.

The State pays the CSA amount directly to the service provider identified as “CSA provider”. In practical terms, this subsidy means a reduction in the amount of the bill parents have to pay at the end of the month.

The CSA promotes theintegration of children into the Luxembourg system. This assistance aims to strengthen social cohesion by providing equal opportunities for all children.

CSA Recipients

To join the CSA, parents must apply to the local authority in their place of residence.

Membership of the CSA is free and is open all year round.

Since September 2016, non-resident Europeans working in Luxembourg can also benefit from the Chèque-Service-Accueil. To do so, they must contact the Caisse pour l’Avenir des enfants.

Amount of CSA Financial Assistance

The Chèque-accueil service is a benefit in kind. Parents benefit from reduced rates for “non-formal” education and childcare services.

Since the start of the 2022 school year, childcare in the public structures of maisons relais, foyers de jours and maternal assistants has been free for children from the fundamental during school periods. This measure does not apply to pre-school children.

For private structures, parents pay the difference between the rate applied by the childcare structure and the 6 euros paid by the state.

School meals are free of charge.

How to benefit from the CSA Welcome-Service Voucher?

The Welcome-Service-Check is established for a period of 12 months. It is established by means of the following supporting documents:

• Certificate of residence
• Proof of income
• Divorce decree and proof of alimony if concerned
• if one of the parents works for a European institution: birth certificate of the child and of the parent who is applying, work contract, tax form, last 3 pay slips, certificate of payment of family allowances. de

Luxembourg residents

Residents must apply for membership in the SHA through their municipality of residence.

Non-residents, cross-border workers

To benefit from the CSA, one of the parents must work in Luxembourg and be a national of the European Union.

To apply for the Welcome-Service Check, the border worker must:

• Go tothe counter of the
  Children’s Future Fund
  . The contract will be drawn up on the spot, provided that all the required documents are presented.
• Apply by mail by filling out the form and attaching supporting documents. The contract will be sent by mail, once the file is complete.

You can also benefit from CSA support for certain institutions providing musical activities, arts clubs or sports associations for children up to the age of 12. These providers must be identified as “CSA Providers”. Ask for information when you register your children in these after-school care facilities.

In addition to the family allowances detailed above, you can also benefit from additionaltax advantages due to your dependent children.