Family allowance for children and young people can be received by parents or legal representatives even when both work, as long as the child or young person entitled does not engage in paid work. This monthly Social Security benefit is intended to compensate for maintenance and education expenses, with the amount determined by the household income bracket, the age of the entitled person, and the family composition.
The 2026 amounts were updated by Ordinance No. 60/2026/1, effective from January. For children up to 36 months, amounts range between 88.43 and 190.98 euros per month depending on the bracket. Above 36 months, amounts decrease: the 1st and 2nd brackets receive 75.13 euros per month. The 5th bracket and families with children over 6 years old in the 4th bracket are excluded. In situations of extreme poverty, the Childhood Guarantee may also be awarded, with supplements up to 127.33 euros per month.
The bracket is calculated by adding the household's annual income and dividing by the number of children entitled to the allowance plus one, in accordance with Decree-Law No. 176/2003. There are also asset limits: the household cannot hold financial assets exceeding 128,911.20 euros in 2026 (240 times the IAS). Single-parent families receive a 50% increase, and large families with several allowance recipients have supplements between 39.28 and 106.96 euros.
The child or young person entitled cannot work, except during school holiday contracts. Between ages 16 and 18, they must attend at least basic education; between ages 18 and 24, there are requirements for school attendance or training. If the entitled person starts working outside of the exceptions, the allowance is suspended, but can be resumed upon a new application when the conditions are met again.
