Adoption and child allowances in Brussels
Adoption grant
Your family is growing. With each adoption, you receive support in the form of an adoption grant.
When can you apply for the adoption grant?
You can apply for the adoption grant as soon as you have submitted the adoption request to the court, and up to three years afterward.
Who applies for the adoption grant?
The person who applies for the adoption grant depends on your family situation:
- If you are adopting a child alone, you submit the application.
- If you are married or cohabiting, the adoptive father submits the application. If the adoptive father cannot submit the application, the mother can do it.
- If both adoptive parents are of the same sex, the eldest submits the application. If the eldest parent cannot submit the application, the other adoptive parent does it.
How do you apply for the adoption grant?
You can submit your application once the adoption request has been submitted to the court and the child lives with the adoptive parent. If you meet these conditions, take the following steps:
- Send us a copy of the adoption request you submitted to the court. For adoptive children from abroad, also send us a copy of the adoption certificate from the relevant country.
- Generally, we automatically check your entitlement to an adoption grant. But an application can speed up this review. Do not hesitate to call us or send an email about it.
Your right to monthly family allowances is automatically examined along with your right to an adoption grant. Therefore, you do not need to send a separate application.
Who receives the adoption grant?
If you are adopting a child alone, you will receive the adoption grant.
If you are adopting a child with your partner, you choose who will receive the grant. If you do not communicate a decision, the grant will be paid to the mother if the parents are of different sexes, and to the oldest partner if the parents are of the same sex.
How much is the adoption grant?
You receive a grant of 1,214.51 euros for the first adopted child and 552.05 euros for subsequent adoptions.
A family receives only one adoption grant or birth grant per child. If one of the partners has already received a birth grant or adoption grant for a child, the other partner will not receive an adoption grant if they subsequently adopt that child.
What our families say about Brussels Family
“Very satisfied with the service. I also automatically receive monthly family allowances for each child! Very easy application and quick payments.”
Gabriella (21)
“My family allowances fund for years. I am very satisfied with it. They respond very quickly and you can ask all your questions.”
Mitch (29)
“Excellent service, regular monthly payments.”
Fatima (34)
“Very good team, great interlocutor, attentive, fast, and very friendly.”
Sarine (27)Specific family situations
Frequently asked questions
We are happy to help you understand how to modify your household composition. We know that changes in family life can be complicated, but we will explain everything you need to know.
New birth: You simply need to register your child with the civil registry office of your municipality. This will automatically update your household composition and Brussels Family will be informed of this change.
Divorce: Anyone who has left the household (your ex-spouse or yourself) must register their new address with the civil registry office of their municipality. From that moment on, they will no longer be considered part of your household composition and your file will be updated by Brussels Family.
If an additional person comes to live with you, the local police officer will need to verify their presence before your household composition can be updated. Brussels Family will then automatically be informed of this change.
Finally, if a person leaves your household, you simply need to inform the civil registry office again. If this person provides their new address to the civil registry office, no further formalities are required and your household composition will be automatically updated.
If you have any questions about how to modify your household composition, feel free to contact the civil registry office of your municipality. And if you want to know more about social supplements in the context of family allowances, you can find all the information you need on our website.
You can submit your application for the adoption allowance once the adoption request has been filed with the court and the child is living with the adoptive parent. If you meet these conditions, follow these steps:
- Send us a copy of the adoption request that you filed with the court. For adopted children from abroad, also send us a copy of the adoption certificate from the respective country.
- Generally, we automatically verify your eligibility for an adoption allowance. However, submitting an application can speed up this process. Feel free to call us or send us an email regarding this matter.
Your eligibility for monthly family allowances is automatically assessed at the same time as your eligibility for the adoption allowance. Therefore, you do not need to send a separate application.