A warm welcome to new life
Congratulations on the arrival of your little one!
Every child that is born or adopted is entitled to a helping hand in the form of a birth allowance or adoption allowance. You receive this allowance from Brussels Family if you are registered with us.
2nd child onwards € 634,10
Hassle-free birth allowance and child allowance registration
Once you apply for a birth allowance, we are here to support you every step of the way. This means that you will automatically be registered for your child allowance as well. Convenient, right? One simple application and we take care of everything for you.
Brussels Family ensures that your child allowance is deposited on time every month, giving you that extra support you need.
Since January 1, 2022, you are free to switch child allowance funds. We warmly welcome you to Brussels Family. If you want to register now, do it here.
If your child lives in Brussels and has the right to reside here, it is entitled to the child allowance. Since 2020, it doesn’t matter any longer whether the people the child lives with are employed or if there is a family relationship between the child and the household.
What is the birth allowance?
Raising a child is a bit like building a house – it takes time, energy, and of course, money. If you live in Brussels, you have probably heard about the changes that took place on January 1, 2020, regarding child benefits (6th state reform – the Papillon agreement). The good news is that these allowances are no longer linked to your status or employment benefits. In fact, if your child lives in Brussels and has the right to reside here, that is enough to qualify for an allowance. Not bad at all, right?
What are the conditions?
What are the conditions?
Your child lives in Brussels
Your child has the Belgian nationality
Your child has a valid residence permit
Application procedure
7 months pregnant
I receive my birth allowance
Birth
I automatically receive the child allowance
“I found out at a fairly young age that I was expecting a baby. Determined to provide my child with the best possible life, I started looking for additional income. That’s when I discovered that as a mom, I was entitled to a birth allowance. I applied for it through Brussels Family, and the process was incredibly smooth.”
Request your birth allowance
Receiving your birth allowance: Process and timeline
As soon as we receive your application, we ensure a fast and efficient processing. If all the required information is correctly completed, the birth allowance will be transferred to your account as early as two months before your expected due date.
To ensure timely payments, we process five payment cycles per month, so you receive your birth allowance as soon as possible.
Example: Marie is expecting her baby on April 4th. After five months of pregnancy, she submits her birth allowance application. She will receive the allowance as early as February 4th.
Following the birth of your child, you will automatically be entitled to the monthly family allowance, starting from the first month after birth. Payments are made on the 8th of each month.
Example: Marie gives birth on April 4th. She becomes eligible for family allowance from May 1st. She will receive her first payment on May 8th.
How do you obtain your birth allowance after your child’s birth?
Was your child born in Belgium?
To receive the birth allowance, you must provide us with the original birth certificate or an official birth extract. The civil registry office will issue this document when you register your child’s birth.
Was your child born in another European Economic Area (EEA) member state?
We can transfer the birth allowance abroad, provided that you were still employed at the time of your child’s birth. If you are self-employed and your child was born outside the European Economic Area (EEA), you are not eligible for a birth allowance. If your child was born in France or the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, you must apply for the birth allowance there. Make sure to register your child in Belgium as soon as possible.
Was your child born outside the European Economic Area (EEA)?
You will receive your birth allowance if you and your baby do not stay abroad for more than two months. If you remain abroad for a longer period, you will need an individual exemption from the Belgian Federal Public Service (FPS) Social Security to qualify for the birth allowance.
If you are detached abroad by your employer but still subject to Belgian Social Security, you will also need an individual exemption to receive the birth allowance. Do you have any questions? Contact us—we are happy to help!
Birth allowance – Tips
Advice and tips to emotionally prepare for your little one’s arrival
You are certainly not the first person to expect a baby, but becoming a parent is a major life milestone for everyone.
The birth of a child is one of the most life-changing events a person can experience. During pregnancy, your priorities, values, and expectations may shift—sometimes in unexpected ways.
This change can catch others by surprise, including your family, partner, employer, and friends.
These changes are completely normal and often come with a wide range of emotions, from excitement and joy to uncertainty and even fear.
Are you wondering how to prepare for having a baby? It is impossible to predict exactly how you will feel when your baby arrives. That’s why we’ve gathered some useful tips to help you get ready for this new adventure.
On the financial side, it is always a good idea to apply for your birth allowance in advance!
Beyond applying for the birth allowance: Make a plan
Welcoming a baby—especially your first—can feel like a giant leap into the unknown. While it’s difficult to predict exactly how your life will change, one thing is certain: it will change. The uncertainty surrounding a baby’s arrival can bring feelings of anxiety and stress.
To ease the stress that comes with welcoming a newborn, consider creating a parenting checklist well before your baby arrives. This will help you make the most of your child’s first year.
Set a budget, pay off debts, and try to save 3 to 6 months of expenses if possible. This financial cushion can provide peace of mind.
When planning your budget, don’t forget to apply for your birth allowance in time!
Discuss your return to work with your employer in advance. How will your daily responsibilities change? Is your employer open to flexible hours?
Talk with your partner about household responsibilities and, if helpful, set up a schedule for tasks such as grocery shopping, laundry, and cleaning. Having a plan in place can ease many worries and help you feel more in control and prepared.
Of course, flexibility is also important. In the first few weeks after your baby arrives, your planned schedule may be disrupted as you adjust to your new routine. However, having a structure in place will help you find a comfortable rhythm more quickly.
Specific family situations
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Even if you already receive benefits for another child, you must submit a new application to receive the birth allowance for your new baby.
This ensures the allowance is paid correctly and that future child benefits start automatically.
The application must be submitted through a family allowance fund that is active in the Brussels Region, such as Brussels Family.
We ensure your file is handled quickly and efficiently, so you can focus on what truly matters.
You are entitled to the birth allowance if you live in the Brussels-Capital Region at the time of your application.
If you submit your application after the birth, your child must be officially registered as residing in Brussels.
If you apply during your pregnancy, you will need a medical certificate stating the expected due date.
If you apply after the birth, you must provide a birth certificate or an official extract of the household composition.
Yes, you can. You may apply for the birth allowance up to three years after the birth.
Simply send us your child’s birth certificate. The payment will be made retroactively.
Yes. In the case of multiple births, you receive a birth allowance for each child.
For twins, this means you will receive the allowance twice (depending on the birth order of the children).
This depends on the country and on your professional situation.
Within the European Economic Area (EEA):
This is possible if you are employed at the time of the birth. Please note: in countries such as France or Luxembourg, the application often needs to be submitted locally first.
Outside the EEA:
You are entitled to the allowance if your stay abroad with your baby does not exceed two months. If you stay longer, a special exemption from the Federal Public Service Social Security is required.
Posting abroad:
If you are posted abroad by a Belgian employer, please contact us for the specific formalities.
Your birth allowance is paid at the earliest two months before the expected due date, even if you submitted your application earlier.
If your situation is different or specific, please feel free to contact us.
The easiest way to apply for the birth allowance is to do it online. To do this, you need to provide us with several personal details (your contact information, your social security number, etc.).
An official document indicating the expected delivery date will be provided to you by your gynecologist, midwife, or attending physician if you have been pregnant for at least six months. After that, we take care of everything for you, especially ensuring the prompt payment of your birth allowance.
You can also send this information by email to info@brusselsfamily.be or by mail (Rue Vésale 31, 1000 Brussels).
As soon as we receive your application, we ensure efficient and quick processing. If everything is filled out correctly, you will receive the birth allowance in your account, at the latest 2 months before the due date. We conduct 5 payment rounds per month to ensure you receive your birth allowance as soon as possible.