For freelancers in Austria, navigating the parental benefits system can feel overwhelming.
The Social Insurance Institution for the Self-Employed (SVS) offers maternity and childcare support, but understanding how to apply and what you’re entitled to is key.
The SVS provides health, accident, and pension insurance for self-employed individuals, including freelancers. To qualify for most parental benefits, you must have been insured through the SVS for at least six consecutive months before applying.
Contributions fund benefits such as maternity allowances, childcare payments, and business support, and freelancers are entitled to the same tax benefits as other workers in Austria.
READ ALSO: What you need to know about parental leave in Austria
Freelancers also qualify for payments such as the Familienbeihilfe (family allowance), a monthly payment provided to all parents in Austria. The Familienbeihilfe increases as children grow and is automatically processed through the tax office upon the child’s birth and residence registration.
What maternity benefits do freelancers have?
Freelancers who stop working during the maternity protection period (Mutterschutz) - eight weeks before the due date and eight weeks after delivery - can receive a maternity allowance (Wochengeld) of €67.19 per day (2024 values). This period extends to 12 weeks after delivery for multiple births or caesarean sections.
To qualify for the allowance, notify the SVS about your pregnancy before the third month and submit a medical certificate confirming your due date.
Payments are made retrospectively after completed maternity periods, but monthly payments can be arranged upon request.
The SVS explains the process in more detail on its official website.
You can request business assistance if your business cannot pause during maternity leave.
This support allows you to hire someone to temporarily take over your work, with the SVS covering part or all of the costs. The Chamber of Commerce (WKO) provides resources to help arrange this assistance for tradespeople and freelancers.
READ ALSO: What benefits are you entitled to in Austria if you have children?
Freelancers face a unique challenge compared to employees: while employees benefit from job security during maternity or parental leave, self-employed individuals do not.
However, freelancers have more flexibility, as they are not required to stop working during the maternity protection period unless they choose to.
Childcare benefits and parental leave
After your child is born, you can choose between two types of childcare allowances (Kinderbetreuungsgeld).
The income-based option provides up to 80 percent of your maternity allowance for a maximum of 365 days (or 426 days if both parents share the leave). Alternatively, the flat-rate option allows you to choose a shorter period with higher payments or a longer period with lower payments.
For example, you can receive €33.88 per day for 365 days or €14.53 per day for up to 851 days. If both parents share the allowance, the duration can be extended to 1,063 days.
Parents must alternate their childcare periods, with each taking a minimum of 61 days. A one-time overlap of up to 31 days is allowed.
To apply, submit proof of your child’s birth, residence documentation for you and your child, and evidence of completed mandatory medical check-ups in the Mutter-Kind-Pass (Mother-Child-Pass). The SVS provides application details on its website.
Healthcare and additional support
Pregnant freelancers can access free medical visits related to complications, midwife assistance, pediatric nurse services and the mandatory health examinations. All other care can be accessed as before, with a partial contribution from the freelancer.
The SVS covers births in public hospitals, including transportation to the hospital if medically necessary and up to 10 days of hospitalisation.
Completing the required check-ups in the Mutter-Kind-Pass is essential for receiving childcare allowances. These free check-ups include five examinations before birth and five after, ensuring the health of both mother and child.
For families with low incomes, additional financial support is available.
READ ALSO: Can simply being born in Austria grant you residency rights?
During periods of maternity or childcare benefits, freelancers are exempt from paying health and pension contributions, although accident insurance contributions must continue. This exemption applies regardless of whether you pause work entirely.
How to apply
For maternity allowance, notify the SVS about your pregnancy by the third month. Submit a medical certificate confirming your due date and the suspension of work notice if applicable.
Payments are processed after each completed maternity period, but monthly payouts can be arranged.
For childcare allowances, include your child’s birth certificate, proof of residency for both you and your child, and income documentation.
READ ALSO: Elternteilzeit: How parents in Austria can change or cut their working hours
You’ll also need copies of the completed Mutter-Kind-Pass examinations. Applications can be made online through the SVS portal or at your local SVS office.
If both parents are sharing the childcare period, you must specify how the allowance will be divided.
For further details, local SVS offices provide personalised assistance, and the SVS website offers comprehensive guides.
READ NEXT: The tax benefits that parents and families receive in Austria
Comments