What you should know
If a parent works in another EU or EEA country or in Switzerland, European rules determine which country is primarily responsible for family benefits. If Austrian family allowance is higher than the benefit from the other country, Austria can pay the difference as a supplementary or differential payment.
For the application, the Finanzamt usually needs information and confirmations from the other country. This is exactly where mistakes and delays often occur.
How we help you
- Clarifying which country is primarily responsible
- Filling in the application for the supplementary/differential payment (Beih 38)
- Preparing the confirmations from abroad
- Support with queries and requests for further information
- Explaining the decision notice and the calculation
The documents you need
Please bring the following documents, if you have them. If something is missing, we will find a solution together.
- The children's birth certificates
- Registration certificates (Meldezettel) of all family members
- Confirmation of work or employment from abroad
- Proof of foreign family benefits
- ID documents or residence permits, bank details
Good to know
- Backdated claims are also possible – collect documents from previous years.
- Changes (new job, moving house) must be reported to the Finanzamt.
Supplementary payment: help in Baden, Vienna and all of Austria
Do you live in Baden, Bad Vöslau, Traiskirchen, Mödling or the Baden district? Then you are welcome to visit our accessible office at Wiener Straße 80 – where we will calmly go through your “Supplementary payment” matter together.
For customers from Vienna and the rest of Austria, we also offer our support by phone or online. You can find out more about our in-person service on the page Formularservice Baden.
Frequently asked questions about Supplementary payment
What is the difference between Ausgleichszahlung and Differenzzahlung?
Both terms mean that Austria only pays the difference to another country's benefit. Which case applies depends on responsibility under EU law – we clarify this together based on your situation.
How long does processing take?
Because information from abroad is often needed, it can take several months. Complete documents shorten processing considerably.
Can you also help with forms in other languages?
We help you understand the forms and match them correctly. We do not provide certified translations.
We provide practical support with filling in and submitting forms based on the information you give us. We do not provide legal or tax advice and cannot guarantee approval – the decision is made by the responsible authority.