In Switzerland, there is a compulsory financial benefit for anyone who works and has dependent children. It is called ‘allocation familiale’ in the French-speaking part of the country and ‘Kinderzulage’ in German-speaking Switzerland. It is not a benefit for low-income families, nor are there any means-tested conditions. If you work and have children, you are entitled to it. The problem is that it is not paid automatically. You have to apply for it.
The federal minimum is 215 francs per month per child under the age of 16, and 268 francs if the child is aged between 16 and 25 and is still in education or training (studies, apprenticeship). These are the minimum amounts. The cantons may set higher amounts, and many do so. In Vaud and Geneva, the amounts are significantly higher. If you work in the canton of Geneva but live in another canton, the canton that applies is the one where you work.
If you are an employee, it is your employer who submits the application to the compensation fund. Many do this without you having to say anything, but this is not always the case. If you have never seen this amount shown on your payslip, ask your employer or your HR department directly. If you are self-employed, you must contact your cantonal compensation fund yourself. And if you work under a G permit as a cross-border worker, you are also entitled to this, subject to conditions set out in the agreement with Spain.
What very few people know – and it’s worth bearing in mind – is that if you’ve been in Switzerland for some time and have never claimed this benefit because you didn’t know it existed, you can claim it retrospectively for up to five years. Five years multiplied by the monthly amount set by your canton, for each child. If you have two children and have been here for three years without claiming it, we’re talking about several thousand francs. Many people only realise this far too late.