Quick quide for families with children
Kela provides many benefits for families with children. This quick guide explains the benefits that could be relevant for you.
See the quick guide for families with childrenWhen pregnant and with a newborn
- Maternity grant
- You can choose between a maternity package and a €170 cash benefit.
- Maternity allowance
- Maternity allowance is paid for about 4 months during the maternity leave.
- Paternity allowance
- Paternity allowance is paid for about 9 weeks during the paternity leave.
- Parental allowance
- Either the mother or father can take a parental leave.
- Child benefit
- Child benefit is paid for children under the age of 17.
Child care allowances
- Child home care allowance
- Mother or father looks after the child at home.
- Private day care allowance
- Child under school age is looked after by a caregiver paid by the family or a private day care provider.
- Flexible care allowance
- Parent works up to 30 hours a week, using the remaining time to look after a child under 3 years of age.
- Partial care allowance
- Parent works up to 30 hours a week, using the remaining time to look after a child in the 1st or 2nd year of school.
Other situations
- When a child is ill
- Assistance may be available from Kela when a child is ill or has a disability.
- Child maintenance allowance
- Maintenance payments provided in the event that a parent does not pay child support.
- Exemption from child support debt
- For situations where temporary financial difficulties make it impossible to pay back child support debt being collected by Kela.
- Diverse families
- Family structure may affect the eligibility conditions and duration of payment of certain family benefits.
- Adoption grant
- Adoption grant for international adoption.
