Birth Allowance

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.

Request birth allowance
1st child € 1.367,74
from the
2nd child onwards
€ 621,70

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?

allocations familiales à Bruxelles
Your child lives in Brussels
Belgische nationaliteit
Your child has the Belgian nationality
verblijfsvergunning
Your child has a valid residence permit

Application procedure

1
You’re pregnant

I apply for my birth allowance

Apply for birth allowance
2
6 months pregnant

I provide Brussels Family with a certificate

How to submit a certificate
3
7 months pregnant

I receive my birth allowance

4
Birth

I automatically receive the child allowance

quote

“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.”

Quotes

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.

 

Frequently asked questions

When will I receive my birth allowance?

We understand that the arrival of a baby can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with administrative formalities. That’s why we have simplified the process so you can receive your birth allowance without stress or worry.

Want to know when you will receive your birth allowance? Well, the good news is that you can receive your birth allowance as early as two months before the expected delivery date. This means you can have peace of mind knowing everything is in order even before your little one arrives.

We are here to help you every step of the way. If you have any questions about the details of the birth allowance payment, feel free to contact us. We will be happy to assist and guide you throughout this process.

At Brussels Family, you can count on personalized and friendly service, whether you prefer to contact us by email (info@brusselsfamily.be), by phone (☎ 02/227.19.60), or in person at one of our offices. We are here to help you every step of your parenting journey.

How to apply for your birth allowance?

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).

Do I have to wait long for the birth allowance?

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.

To frequently asked questions