Child Benefits and Family Assistance in Luxembourg

Do you live in Luxembourg, are you planning to move there, or do you work in the Grand Duchy as a cross-border worker? Depending on your family and employment situation, as well as your country of residence, you may be eligible for various family allowances and financial assistance to support the birth, upbringing, childcare, and education of your children.

Luxembourg’s main family benefits are administered by the Caisse pour l’Avenir des Enfants, also known as Zukunftskeess or CAE. Some benefits are paid automatically, while others require a specific application.

This page helps you understand the available benefits, the general eligibility requirements, the standard amounts, and the steps you need to take as a resident parent, expatriate, or cross-border worker.

The Main Family Benefits in Luxembourg

Luxembourg’s family benefits cover several key stages of family life: birth, early childhood, childcare, elementary school, secondary or higher education, disability, and support for low-income families.

Family Assistance	Purpose	Main Providing Agency
Birth Allowance	To provide support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period	CAE
Child Allowance	Supporting families in raising and educating their children	CAE
Back-to-School Allowance	Helping with expenses related to the start of the school year	CAE
Special Supplemental Allowance	Supporting families with a child with a disability	CAE
Childcare Service Voucher	Reducing the cost of childcare and certain activities	Provided by the municipality or CAE, depending on the situation
Secondary School Assistance	Assistance for students and families, subject to certain conditions	CePAS / SePAS
Financial aid for higher education	Supporting students in Luxembourg or abroad	AideFi Service

The Caisse pour l’Avenir des Enfants, the leading agency

The Fund for Children’s Future, or Zukunftskeess, is the primary point of contact for family benefits in Luxembourg. In particular, it administers birth grants, family allowances, the back-to-school allowance, the special supplementary allowance, the Childcare Service Voucher for non-residents, and procedures related to parental leave.

Parents can submit applications, provide documents, report changes in their circumstances, and track their entitlements through this agency. The CAE also offers digital services, including the option to receive certain documents electronically.

Families must promptly report any significant changes: moving, separation, change of employer, change of country of residence, completion of studies, the child starting work, or changes in household composition.

Birth and New Arrival Benefits in Luxembourg

Luxembourg provides a birth grant paid in three separate installments. This assistance is not automatic: an application must be submitted, and medical and administrative requirements must be met.

The three installments of the birth grant are:

• the prenatal allowance;
• the birth allowance;
• the postnatal allowance.

Each installment amounts to 580.03 euros*. Birth grants cannot be combined with an equivalent birth grant paid in the country of residence.

* Amounts in effect as of the date of publication or the last update of this article. Since family benefits are indexed and subject to change, we encourage you to verify the applicable amounts on the official website of the Caisse pour l’Avenir des Enfants (CAE).

Prenatal Allowance

The prenatal allowance is intended for the mother. It is linked to medical monitoring of the pregnancy and requires, in particular, that mandatory medical examinations be completed within the specified timeframes.

Eligibility requirements may include, among other things:

• several medical examinations during pregnancy;
• a dental examination;
• residence in Luxembourg or enrollment in a health insurance plan that meets the specified requirements.

Birth Allowance

The birth allowance is also paid to the mother, provided she meets the specified requirements. It is contingent upon the birth of the child and compliance with medical and administrative procedures.

In particular, it requires that the child be viable and that the required examinations have been conducted in accordance with applicable regulations.

Postnatal Allowance

The postnatal allowance covers the child’s medical care after birth. It is contingent upon the child undergoing the mandatory medical examinations until the age specified by regulation.

To prepare for this step, please also visit our page on the procedures for registering a birth in Luxembourg.

Cross-border Workers and the Birth Grant

Specific rules apply to families living across the border. The Luxembourg birth grant cannot be combined with an equivalent benefit paid in the country of residence. Additionally, certain components are reserved for the mother and cannot be claimed by a cross-border worker on behalf of his non-resident spouse or partner.

Child Allowance for the Future of Children

Child support, also known as the allowance for children’s future, is a monthly benefit intended to help cover expenses related to the care and education of children.

It is paid for each eligible child, generally up to age 18. It may be extended up to age 25 in certain cases, particularly when the young person is pursuing studies that meet the specified requirements.

Amount of the Family Allowance

The base amount of the family allowance is 299.86 euros per child per month.

Age-based supplements are added to the base amount:

• 22.67 euros* per month starting at age 6;
• 56.57 euros* per month starting at age 12.

Since these amounts are indexed, it is recommended that you verify the applicable amounts at the time of your application.

Eligibility Requirements for Resident Families

For families residing in Luxembourg, the child must, in principle, be legally and continuously resident in the Grand Duchy. However, special circumstances may apply depending on family composition, nationality, residency status, or the child’s background.

Newly arrived families should ensure that their residency procedures have been completed correctly. Please visit our page on declaring residency in Luxembourg.

Requirements for Cross-Border Workers

Cross-border workers may be eligible for Luxembourg family allowances under certain conditions. In particular, they must work in Luxembourg and be mandatorily enrolled in the Joint Social Security Center. The children must reside in a European Union country or in a country linked to Luxembourg by a social security agreement.

In some cases, Luxembourg pays a differential supplement when family benefits are also due in the country of residence. The rules governing priority between countries may depend on the employment status of both parents.

What happens when the child reaches the age of majority?

Once the child turns 18, continued receipt of the allowance depends on the young person’s circumstances. If the child continues their studies, the allowance may be extended under certain conditions, generally until age 25 at the latest. However, the family allowance cannot be combined with scholarships for higher education.

The procedures may change once the child reaches the age of majority. It is therefore important to plan ahead for this stage and submit the required enrollment certificates or supporting documents.

Back-to-School Allowance

The back-to-school allowance helps families cover expenses related to the start of the school year: supplies, equipment, clothing, school materials, or other school-related costs.

It is automatically paid in August to families with children eligible for family allowances who meet the age and enrollment requirements.

The amounts are as follows:

• 115 euros* for a child over 6 years old;
• 235 euros* for a child over 12 years old.

When a child enters the relevant stage of primary education before reaching the required age, a school certificate may be requested.

To better understand the school system, consult our guide to Luxembourg’s public primary education system.

* Amounts in effect as of the date of publication or the last update of this article. Since family benefits are indexed and subject to change, we encourage you to check the applicable amounts on the official website of the Caisse pour l’Avenir des Enfants (CAE).

Childcare Service Voucher (CSA): Assistance with Childcare

The Childcare Service Voucher (Chèque-Service Accueil, or CSA) is a government contribution toward the costs of childcare and daycare. It helps reduce the amount parents pay to certain approved providers.

The CSA may apply, in particular, to:

• daycare centers;
• mini-daycare centers;
• daycare centers;
• after-school care centers;
• parental assistants recognized as CSA providers;
• certain approved activities, subject to applicable conditions.

For children of school age who are at least 4 years old as of September 1, care may be free during the school week, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., excluding any overtime charges billed by the facility. During school breaks or at certain times, the parents’ financial contribution may depend on the CSA fee schedule.

How do you apply for the CSA?

Resident families generally submit their application to their municipality of residence. Non-resident workers may enroll in the CSA under certain conditions, particularly if they are affiliated with the Joint Social Security Center or work for a European institution.

For non-residents, the child in question must also be eligible for the Luxembourg family allowance or an equivalent benefit paid by a European institution.

To choose a childcare facility, consult our guide to daycare centers and childcare options in Luxembourg.

Multilingual Education and Early Childhood Care

The CSA is also part of Luxembourg’s policy on non-formal education and early childhood care. Recognized facilities must meet quality standards and may offer multilingual care, which is particularly beneficial for children from expatriate families.

To learn more about this topic, visit our page on Luxembourg daycare centers, multilingualism, and cultural integration.

Special Supplementary Allowance for Children with Disabilities

The special supplementary allowance is a monthly benefit intended for families with a child who has a significant reduction in physical or mental abilities compared to a child of the same age.

It supplements the family allowance and is contingent on the child meeting the eligibility requirements. The degree of disability is assessed according to the rules established by the relevant authorities.

The amount of the special supplementary allowance is set at 200 euros* per month. This benefit may, under certain conditions, be paid until the child turns 18 and extended until age 25 if the conditions related to education or personal circumstances are met.

School and Educational Assistance

In addition to family allowances, certain forms of assistance are available to families whose children are enrolled in secondary school or pursuing higher education.

More information on financial aid for students to help them pursue their higher education.

Low-Income Household Subsidy

The subsidy for low-income households is intended, subject to certain conditions, for families whose children attend Luxembourg’s secondary schools. It can help cover certain expenses related to school supplies, school activities, or extracurricular activities.

The application must be submitted by the deadlines specified for the relevant school year, generally through the appropriate offices at the school or CePAS.

School Retention Grant

The School Retention Grant is intended to enable a student experiencing psychosocial distress to continue their education until they obtain a diploma or recognized qualification.

This assistance applies to specific situations and must be reviewed with the relevant services, particularly the SePAS or the CePAS.

Scholarships and Financial Aid for Higher Education

When a child pursues higher education, family assistance may change. Specific forms of assistance are available for students, whether they are studying in Luxembourg or abroad.

Visit our page dedicated to scholarships and financial aid for students in Luxembourg.

Rights of Cross-Border Workers and Non-Resident Families

Cross-border workers represent a significant portion of the potential recipients of certain Luxembourg family benefits. Eligibility depends primarily on social security enrollment in Luxembourg, the child’s place of residence, the other parent’s employment status, and any benefits that may be paid in the country of residence.

In practice, cross-border families should be aware of several key points:

• mandatory enrollment of the parent working in Luxembourg;
• the child’s residence in an eligible country;
• any family benefits already paid in the country of residence;
• the rules governing priority among countries;
• applications for differential supplements;
• changes in employer or insurance coverage.

A change of employer may result in a temporary interruption if the CAE is not notified of the new enrollment. Cross-border workers must therefore promptly report any changes in their employment status.

Family Allowances in Luxembourg: Be Sure to Verify Your Entitlements

Luxembourg’s family benefits provide significant support for parents, but they are subject to specific rules. The amounts, conditions, and procedures may vary depending on residence, insurance status, the parents’ employment situation, the child’s age, and the child’s educational path.

For expatriate and cross-border families, it is particularly important to verify your eligibility before arrival, when changing jobs, or when the child turns 18. Planning ahead helps avoid delays, payment interruptions, or incomplete applications.

Guides for Families in Luxembourg

• Living in Luxembourg with Your Family: A Practical Guide for Expats
• Daycare and Childcare in Luxembourg
• Maternity and Parental Leave in Luxembourg
• Registering a Birth in Luxembourg
• Luxembourg’s Public Primary School System
• Scholarships and Financial Aid for Students
• Personal Income Tax and Tax Benefits Related to Children

FAQs on Family Allowances in Luxembourg

Who is eligible for family allowances in Luxembourg?

Family allowances may be paid to resident families whose child meets the residency requirements, as well as to cross-border workers registered in Luxembourg under certain conditions. The rules vary depending on family and employment status.

How much is the family allowance in Luxembourg?

The base amount is 299.86 euros per child per month. Age-based supplements are added starting at age 6 and age 12. Since these amounts are indexed, they must be verified at the time of application.

Are cross-border workers eligible for Luxembourg family allowances?

Yes, under certain conditions. In particular, the parent must work in Luxembourg and be enrolled in the Luxembourg social security system. The child must reside in an eligible country. Benefits paid in the country of residence may affect the amount paid by Luxembourg.

What is the Chèque-Service Accueil?

The Chèque-Service Accueil is a government contribution toward the costs of child care and childcare services. It helps reduce the bill when using recognized providers, such as certain daycare centers, after-school care centers, or child care assistants.

Is the birth grant automatic?

No. The birth grant must be applied for and is subject to meeting certain medical and administrative requirements. It is paid in three separate installments: prenatal, at birth, and postnatal.

Does the back-to-school allowance require an application?

In general, the back-to-school allowance is paid automatically in August to children who meet the eligibility requirements. In some cases, a school certificate may be required.

Do family allowances continue after age 18?

They may be extended under certain conditions, particularly if the young person is pursuing recognized studies. Proof of enrollment in school or studies may be required.

Is there financial assistance available for children with disabilities?

Yes. The special supplementary allowance can supplement the family allowance when the child meets the eligibility requirements related to a disability. The amount is set at 200 euros per month.