Social Security - Family insurance

Family allowances

In the agricultural sector family allowances are organised at Federal level, while those for other workers are governed by cantonal legislation. Family allowances are normally paid by employers with wages or salaries.

Federal level

Child allowance (per child and per month): CHF 175 for the first two children and CHF 180 for the third and subsequent children in lowland regions, with an additional CHF 20 in mountainous regions. The allowance is payable until the child reaches the age of 16, or 25 if in education or training. Family allowance for agricultural workers living with their spouse and/or children: CHF 100 per month.

Cantonal level

Child allowance (per child and per month): between CHF 160 and CHF 350 according to canton. The allowance is normally payable until the child reaches the age of 16, or 25 if in education or training. Higher vocational training allowances are payable for apprentices and students up to the age of 25 in 12 cantons: between CHF 190 and CHF 444 according to canton. Birth allowance in ten cantons: between CHF 600 and CHF 1 500 according to canton for each child born; adoption allowance: same amount in five of these ten cantons for a child placed for adoption.

Maternity 

The compulsory health insurance scheme offers not only general healthcare benefits but also specific benefits in kind: examinations during and after pregnancy, delivery, advice on feeding, and care and in-hospital services for a healthy newborn while hospitalised with its mother. Mothers are not required to contribute to the cost of these services.

The loss-of-earnings insurance scheme ensures that all women engaged in gainful activity (whether employed or self-employed) receive a maternity allowance of 80% of their last income, subject to a ceiling of CHF 172 per day, for 14 weeks after the birth. To qualify for this allowance, a woman must have been insured for not less than nine months preceding the birth and must have been engaged in gainful activity for at least five months during this period.

Text last edited on: 11/2007

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2008
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