At what age does entitlement to family allowances in the Canton of Bern end?

The entitlement to ordinary child allowances ends in the month in which the child reaches the age of 16. If the child continues school, university or vocational training, the right extends to training allowances up to 25 years. Beyond this threshold, no Swiss canton may pay family allowances. It is the family's obligation to notify the cashier of the end of the training to avoid incorrect payments.

What is the difference between child allowances and training allowances?

Child allowances are for children up to the age of 16 with no additional conditions. Training allowances extend the entitlement up to 25 years only if the child is actually enrolled and attends a recognised primary, secondary, higher school, university, vocational school or apprenticeship. In the canton of Bern, the canton decides whether to co-finance the training allowances beyond the federal minimum.

Can I get family allowances if I am unemployed?

Yes, if you are entitled to recognised unemployment benefits. You must register with the compensation fund and present a valid unemployment certificate. Also in this case, the right starts from the first day of the month following the application received from the cashier. Contact the Bern cashier to clarify your specific situation, especially if you combine unemployment with other forms of income.

Are family allowances taxable?

No. Family allowances are social benefits not subject to federal, cantonal or municipal tax. This means that they do not affect the tax return and do not increase the effective rate. However, they may indirectly affect other tax deductions or allowances (e.g. deductions for dependent children); consult the cantonal tax office in Bern if you have specific questions.

How long does the first payment take after the application?

If the application is complete in all documents, the cashier reviews within 30–60 days and communicates the outcome. The first payment is made within 30–60 days of notification of acceptance. In total, it can take 2–4 months from application to first payment. If the documentation is incomplete, the cashier sends a request for integration; the beneficiary has 30 days to respond, otherwise the application is filed. Contact the cashier to monitor progress.

Family allowances Bern: conditions and application (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 7 September 2026

Cantonal family allowance office in Bern, residents inquiring about child benefit procedures.

In the Canton of Bern, family allowances guarantee support for each child. Learn about rights, application procedures, and where to find information.

Context

In brief

Family allowances in the Canton of Bern for children up to 16 years or 25 if in training
Amounts vary by canton; managed by the cantonal compensation fund
Right also for recognized unemployed; not taxable

Key facts

What: Federal/cantonal benefits supporting families with minor or training children
Where: Canton of Bern; decentralized management per canton
Who: Working parents, unemployed, and recognized training persons
When: Right up to 16 years ordinary; up to 25 if in training
Institution: UFAS/BSV (federal competence), compensation fund of the Canton of Bern (execution)

Family allowances in the Canton of Bern represent a federal social policy instrument that supplements family income. Unlike other European countries, in Switzerland, there are no automatic allowances for anyone with children: the right is subject to specific conditions of economic activity, employment status, or training situation.

The federal legislation on the matter is contained in the Federal Law on Family Allowances (LAFam), which establishes the general framework. The Canton of Bern, like every Swiss canton, has the task of integrating these provisions with its own ordinances, determining actual amounts, administrative deadlines, and application methods. This federal/cantonal structure is a typical feature of the Swiss social security system, where competencies are distributed between the Confederation and the cantons.

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Operational details

Age limits and educational situations

The right to child allowances ends the month the minor turns 16. Beyond this threshold, the right continues for training allowances only if the child is actually enrolled and attending primary, secondary, high school, university, vocational school, or apprenticeship. Attendance must be continuous; prolonged absences or dropping out of school result in the loss of the right, except for exceptions related to certified illness. In the Canton of Bern, the student condition is verified through documents presented by the family (school enrollment certificate) or periodically checked by the fund.

The maximum age limit of 25 represents a federal limit: no Swiss canton can extend the right to training allowances beyond this age. Some cantons such as Basel-Stadt, Geneva, and Valais offer slightly higher amounts for specific training streams (tertiary level), but remain bound by the 25-year ceiling.

Agricultural sector and special regimes

In the Canton of Bern, a non-negligible percentage of the population remains active in agriculture (livestock farming, cultivation). The Federal Law provides for partially distinct regimes for parents engaged in agricultural activities: federal contributions may differ slightly, and the canton can add specific supplements for the rural sector. It is not uncommon for a farming family to receive separate communications from the fund for agricultural allowances and cantonal allowances. From a practical point of view, it is only important to know the total net monthly amount; the division is administrative.

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Key points

Step 1: Check Basic Requirements

Before submitting your application, it is essential to ensure that you meet the federal and cantonal criteria. If you are a regularly employed dependent worker, the right is almost automatic; if you are a self-employed worker, unemployed, a student with a residence permit, or your spouse works only part-time, it is advisable to pre-contact the compensation fund to clarify your specific situation.

Step 2: Gather Documentation

The Bern Canton compensation fund requires the following documents to be attached to the application: identification document (ID card, passport, residence permit if foreign); employment contract or employer's certificate (if employed); trade register certificate (if self-employed); tax return for the previous fiscal year; birth certificates of the children to whom the application refers; proof of residence in the Canton of Bern; if the child is over 16 years old, an updated school enrollment certificate.

Step 3: Contact the Cantonal Fund and Obtain the Form

The Bern Canton compensation fund has branches in various municipalities and a central service. You can visit a compensation fund agency in person (consult the official cantonal website for addresses), contact them by phone or email to receive the application form, or download the form directly from the fund's website. The application form is standardized at the federal level but may have slight cantonal variations.

Step 4: Complete and Submit the Application

Complete the form in all its parts (personal data, children's data, employment information, bank account number for credit). Attach the required documentation. Submit in person or by registered mail to the fund. Many funds now also accept scanned submissions via certified email (PEC).

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Frequently Asked Questions

At what age does entitlement to family allowances in the Canton of Bern end?: The entitlement to ordinary child allowances ends in the month in which the child reaches the age of 16. If the child continues school, university or vocational training, the right extends to training allowances up to 25 years. Beyond this threshold, no Swiss canton may pay family allowances. It is the family's obligation to notify the cashier of the end of the training to avoid incorrect payments.
What is the difference between child allowances and training allowances?: Child allowances are for children up to the age of 16 with no additional conditions. Training allowances extend the entitlement up to 25 years only if the child is actually enrolled and attends a recognised primary, secondary, higher school, university, vocational school or apprenticeship. In the canton of Bern, the canton decides whether to co-finance the training allowances beyond the federal minimum.
Can I get family allowances if I am unemployed?: Yes, if you are entitled to recognised unemployment benefits. You must register with the compensation fund and present a valid unemployment certificate. Also in this case, the right starts from the first day of the month following the application received from the cashier. Contact the Bern cashier to clarify your specific situation, especially if you combine unemployment with other forms of income.
Are family allowances taxable?: No. Family allowances are social benefits not subject to federal, cantonal or municipal tax. This means that they do not affect the tax return and do not increase the effective rate. However, they may indirectly affect other tax deductions or allowances (e.g. deductions for dependent children); consult the cantonal tax office in Bern if you have specific questions.
How long does the first payment take after the application?: If the application is complete in all documents, the cashier reviews within 30–60 days and communicates the outcome. The first payment is made within 30–60 days of notification of acceptance. In total, it can take 2–4 months from application to first payment. If the documentation is incomplete, the cashier sends a request for integration; the beneficiary has 30 days to respond, otherwise the application is filed. Contact the cashier to monitor progress.