Magic Heidi Family Allowances: Swiss Self-Employed Applications
Child and education allowances for the self-employed: minimum amounts, family allowance fund registration, competing claims and application records.
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Self-employed people generally have to join a family allowance fund (FAK) and pay contributions, even without children. Contributions and the application for a child or education allowance are separate matters. The federal self-employment overview and fact sheet 6.08, 2026 edition explain the framework.
Child and education allowances: minimum amounts since 2025
| Benefit | Federal monthly minimum | General rule |
|---|---|---|
| Child allowance | CHF 215 | From the birth month until the end of the month of the 16th birthday |
| Education allowance | CHF 268 | Post-compulsory education, no earlier than the month of the 15th birthday, until at most the end of the month of the 25th birthday |
Child allowance can continue until age 20 for children unable to earn. Special rules apply to children over 16 who are still in compulsory education. If a child in education earns gross annual income above CHF 30,240, education allowance entitlement ceases.
A 14-year-old therefore does not automatically qualify for an education allowance. A canton's increased child allowance for an older schoolchild may equal its education allowance, but these remain different benefit types.
Cantonal amounts and fund contribution rates
Cantons can set higher amounts and additional birth or adoption allowances. A cantonal benefit table is not a contribution table for every FAK: contribution rates vary by canton and fund. For a 2026 application, ask your fund to confirm in writing:
- the applicable canton and rate for the child's age and education status;
- your specific fund's contribution rate and income basis;
- any birth or adoption allowance;
- a possible differential allowance where another person has priority.
Self-employed FAK contributions apply to AHV-assessable income up to CHF 148,200 a year. It is not safe to assume that your canton of residence or an online cantonal percentage always determines the full assessment.
Who is entitled to family allowances?
People in gainful activity generally qualify from AHV-assessable earnings of CHF 630 a month or CHF 7,560 a year. At lower income, the non-employed application route may be available under specified conditions. Agriculture and international cases have special rules.
Which parent receives the allowance?
Both parents do not receive a full allowance for the same child. The statutory priority order considers gainful activity, parental responsibility, where the child mainly lives, work in the child's canton of residence and then income criteria. If you combine employment and self-employment, or several people may qualify, ask the FAK to determine responsibility. Do not simply choose the higher income or cantonal rate. A differential payment may be available under the statutory conditions.
Register and apply step by step
- Clarify affiliation: Identify the responsible cantonal or professional association FAK when registering for AHV. The duty to join does not start only when a child is born.
- Apply for the benefit: Provide details of the child and other parent, including the other parent's work and existing allowances.
- Attach evidence: Include birth or family documentation, current education confirmation and any required income or residence evidence.
- Check the decision: Verify benefit type, start date, monthly amount and any differential payment.
- Report changes promptly: Education ending, the child's income, a job change, care arrangements and family circumstances can affect entitlement.
Retroactive claims for up to five years
An existing entitlement can generally be claimed up to five years retrospectively. The fund checks the conditions and rates for the actual historical months, not today's rate for every year. A late application may also reveal unpaid fund contributions. Multiplying a current monthly amount is not a reliable promise of arrears.
Keep benefits, contributions and records separate
Allowances belong in household and tax records, not automatically in customer turnover. Keep the benefit decision, payment statements, contribution bills and education evidence separately. Reconcile contributions offset against benefits so a net credit is not mistaken for the entire allowance.
Magic Heidi supports recording business expenses and customer invoices as part of your documentation. It does not determine FAK affiliation, priority between claimants or arrears. If household money is tight, also check cantonal health insurance premium reductions, without assuming a fixed saving.
