After a birth: what to do
4 tasks in suggested order
1. Clarify the birth notification and first civil-status documents
The birth must be reported to the registry office at the place of birth within one week. For a hospital birth, the hospital sends the birth notification automatically; for a home birth, the notification is generally made by the attending doctor or midwife.
Birth notification within one week. The official checklist recommends arranging the birth certificate and residence registration of the newborn within four weeks after the birth.
Registry office at the place of birth; once the birth notification is available, the official online service can also be used for initial issuance of documents or residence registration.
The documents required depend on the data already recorded in the Central Civil Status Register and on the family situation.
Birth notification and issuance of the birth certificate are two separate steps.
Official source: oesterreich.gv.at
2. Acknowledge paternity
If applicable: For unmarried parents where legal recognition of paternity is required.
If legal paternity has not already been established by the family situation, the biological father can establish it by acknowledging paternity.
The acknowledgement can be arranged around the time of birth if needed; the father must appear in person before a competent body to make the declaration.
Registry office; child and youth welfare authority (district administrative authority, in statutory cities the Magistrat, in Vienna MA 11); court; or notary.
The identity and civil-status documents required by the chosen body.
Acknowledgement of paternity and custody are legally separate matters and must be dealt with separately if necessary.
Official source: oesterreich.gv.at
3. Check or claim family allowance
When a child is born in Austria, the tax administration generally checks entitlement to family allowance automatically using electronically transmitted civil-status data. In other cases, an application is still required.
For a birth in Austria, no application is generally required. Where an application is necessary, family allowance can be granted retroactively for no more than 5 years from the month in which the application is submitted.
Austrian Tax Office (Finanzamt Österreich); required applications can in particular be submitted via FinanzOnline.
For an automatic assessment, the tax administration requests missing information, such as bank details. Where an application is required, have the evidence needed for the specific entitlement ready.
From the age of majority, additional eligibility requirements apply, particularly in connection with vocational or academic education; changes affecting entitlement must be taken into account.
Official source: oesterreich.gv.at
4. Check childcare allowance
Childcare allowance has two systems: the childcare allowance account and income-related childcare allowance. They differ in eligibility, duration and calculation; the income-related system in particular requires qualifying employment before the birth.
The application can be made at the earliest from the day of birth. Childcare allowance is paid retroactively for no more than 182 days, so a late application can result in loss of benefit periods.
With the competent health-insurance carrier; if no other carrier is competent, with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK). The application can be submitted in person, in writing or via the electronic channels listed on the official page.
Insurance and personal details, plus the evidence required for the chosen system. Compare the eligibility requirements of both systems before applying.
Both parents are bound by the selected system. Under the childcare allowance account, the duration and division between parents can be chosen within the statutory rules; the income-related system has its own employment and additional-income requirements.
Official source: oesterreich.gv.at
