September is coming soon! For your children, this month is certainly associated with returning to school after the vacation. Although children usually regret a bit the end of the vacation, we – parents – are happy that someone else will take care of them at least partially. There is also a negative side – expenses! For us, parents, this is probably one of the first associations with September. Find out how much school allowances are in Europe. Read the details in the article!
Another school year is approaching, and that means for parents spending on school supplies.That is why we recommend using financial support from the state, in the form of school allowances. What is the situation in European countries?
School allowances in Europe – Germany and the Netherlands
Germany
If you receive Kinderzuschlag, you may also receive additional benefits related to the education of your children. Typically, these include, among others:
| School allowances | Sample amount |
| co-financing for one-day school or kindergarten trips | depends on the type of trip, usually 100% refundable |
| commuting to school and tutoring | usually 100% refunded |
| purchase of school supplies | EUR 174 per year |
| meals | the parent pays only EUR 1 for lunch – the rest is paid by the state |
| additional paid school activities and extracurricular activities | EUR 15 per month |
Please note that the above-mentioned allowances are only granted to the child if is studying in a German school. A completed application for school allowances should be submitted to the nearest city / municipality office.
Are you planning to move to Germany for work? Here’s everything you need to know about taxes
The Netherlands
An important co-financing for parents working in the Netherlands is Kinderopvangtoeslag (pre-school allowance), i.e. reimbursement of expenses incurred for childcare. If your child attends a facility registered with the municipality office, you have the right to apply for such a benefit at the tax office.
In order to receive a refund, you should meet several conditions, including:
- you work in the Netherlands,
- the child must be registered at the same address as you
- the child for whom you want to receive the allowance has not completed primary school,
- you, as well as your partner, work professionally.
To check whether you are entitled to Kinderopvangtoeslag, you can try to calculate the approximate amount of the allowance on the website of the Dutch Tax Office. Costs are calculated individually, it all depends on the financial situation of the family.
Important! Due to the increase in hourly rates for childcare work (up to EUR 9.12), the Kinderopvangtoeslag benefit will increase by 1.74%.
Minimum wages in the Netherlands in 2023
School allowances in France and Belgium
Belgium
For persons receiving family allowance (entitled to all families bringing up children in Belgium), in August each year the so-called school bonus is paid. This is a great convenience for parents struggling with September expenses. The amount increases with the age of the child, as you can see in the table below:
| Age | Amount of school bonus |
| 0 – 4 years old | EUR 21.65 |
| 5 – 11 years old | EUR 37.88 |
| 12 – 17 years old | EUR 54.12 |
| 18 – 24 years old | EUR 64.94 |
Children who receive other social allowances, receive an increased school bonus in the following amounts:
- 0 – 5 years old – EUR 28.72
- 6 – 11 years old – EUR 60.95
- 12 – 17 years old – EUR 85.33
- 18 – 24 years old – EUR 114.88
In addition, a school allowance is paid. The amount is determined individually, because it depends on the financial situation of the family, as well as on the institution he attends, i.e. the stage of education. Then the benefit amounts are as follows:
- Pre-school education – EUR 113.17
- Primary school – from EUR 132.06 to EUR 266.68
- Secondary school – from EUR 214.50 to approx. EUR 4000
- University – from EUR 400 to 6000
Earnings in Belgium 2023 – How much is earned in Belgium?
France
Families whose annual income does not exceed EUR 25,775 (with one child, the amount is correspondingly higher in the case of a larger family) receive a benefit every year for the beginning of the school year.
As in Belgium, the amounts vary according to the age of the child:
| Age | Allowance |
| 6 – 10 years old | EUR 398.09 |
| 11 – 14 years old | EUR 420.05 |
| 15 – 18 years old | EUR 434.61 |
The benefit should be paid before the end of August. The deadline for submitting applications is mid-August.
Earnings in France – Minimal and average wages
What is the situation in Ireland, Sweden and Austria?
Ireland
Parents of school children on the Green Island can apply for The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, which is a supplement to the allowance granted once a year to help cover the cost of buying clothes for children.
To get the ‘Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance’, you or your spouse must be receiving allowance for low-income families (FIS). It also belongs to those who lonely bring up children. You can find the rates in the table below:
| Age | Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance |
| 4 – 11 years old | EUR 260 |
| 12 – 22 years old | EUR 385 |
More information on the criteria for receiving the allowance can be found on the website of the Department of Social Welfare. Deadline for submitting the application – 30/09/2023.
Sweden
The Swedish government has made sure that September is not associated with expenses. School for children aged 6-19 (from pre-school to high school) is free of charge, including school lunches!
The government also provides families with an additional monthly allowance (barnbidrag) for children up to 16 years of age, and its maximum value in 2023 is SEK 1250 (EUR 105.51). This allowance is:
- SEK 150 (EUR 12.66) for the second child;
- SEK 530 (EUR 44.74) for the third child;
- SEK 1010 (EUR 85.25) for the fourth child;
- SEK 1250 (EUR 105.51) for the fifth and subsequent children.
When the child turns 16, he/she will continue to receive extra money (studiebidrag för gymnasiestudie), in the same amount, but only for 10 months of the year. In Sweden, it is accepted that young people of this age can earn the missing sum during the vacation season.
There is no need to fill out applications, the funds are automatically transferred to the account of one of the guardians.
Earnings in Sweden – How much is earned in Sweden?
Austria
Anyone who regularly receives family allowance in Austria – Familienbeihilfe, in September can expect a double payment (the so-called thirteen). The amount of the monthly family allowance for each child, depending on their age, is as follows:
| Age | Allowance |
| up to 3 years old | EUR 120.61 |
| 3 – 9 years old | EUR 128.97 |
| 9 – 18 years old | EUR 149.70 |
| from 19 years old | EUR 174.68 |
With each subsequent child, this amount increases by the following values:
| Number of children | Benefit increase |
| 2 children | EUR 7.51 |
| 3 children | EUR 18.41 |
| 4 children | EUR 28.04 |
| 5 children | EUR 33.86 |
| 6 children | EUR 37.77 |
| 7 children + | EUR 55.02 |
Days off and Public Holidays in Austria 2023
Summation
Below we can see a short summary of this article, i.e. what school allowances are in force in Europe.
| Country | Type of school allowance | Amount |
| Germany | financial support, e.g. for additional activities, meals or school trips | additional classes – EUR 15 per month purchase of school supplies – EUR 174 per year |
| The Netherlands | reimbursement of expenses incurred for childcare | amount is determined individually |
| France | school allowance for low-income families | 6 – 10 years old – EUR 398.09 11 – 14 years old – EUR 420.05 15 – 18 years old – EUR 434.61 |
| Sweden | Barnbidrag child benefit | 150 SEK (EUR 12.66) for the second child; 530 SEK (EUR 44.74) for the third child; 1010 SEK (EUR 85.25) for the fourth child; 1250 SEK (EUR 105.51) for the fifth and subsequent children. |
| Belgium | school bonus | 0 – 4 years old –EUR 21.65 5 – 11 years old – EUR 37.88 12 – 17 years old – EUR 54.12 18 – 24 years old –EUR 64.94 |
| Ireland | The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance | 4 – 11 years old – EUR 260 12 – 22 years old – EUR 385 |
| Austria | Familienbeihilfe | up to 3 years old – EUR 120.61 3 – 9 years old – EUR 128.97 9 – 18 years old – EUR 149.70 from 19 years old –EUR 174.68 |
