Austria: Demands for more flexible childcare allowance

The present childcare allowance system, which was introduced in 2002 (Austria: Childcare allowance replaces parental leave benefit), provides parents with €436 a month for the first 36 months after the birth of their child if both parents participate in the scheme, or for the first 30 months if only one parent is claiming the allowance.

However, studies indicate that many parents, in particular mothers, who take the opportunity to stay at home for the maximum length of time, are having difficulty re-entering the labour market.