Does child benefit (Groeipakket / allocations familiales) come automatically, or do I have to apply?
In short
It depends on the region. In Flanders, the monthly amount often starts automatically. In Wallonia and Brussels, you must register with a child benefit fund (caisse) yourself.
Video transcript
Your baby has been born. You think child benefit will come automatically. It depends: It depends on the region. In Flanders the monthly amount often starts automatically; in Wallonia and Brussels you must register yourself. The right way: Ask your region's agency. In Wallonia or Brussels, register with a child benefit fund. Outcome: Penalty: None; If you don't register: Payments don't start; Wrong information: Overpayment reclaimed.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- Child benefit is paid by the region where the child lives: Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels. If you move to another region, your file is transferred to the new region's fund.
- Flanders: for a child under 18, the monthly basic amount (basisbedrag) often starts automatically. For the one-off start payment before the birth (startbedrag), you have to apply yourself; you must be at least 6 full months pregnant.
- Flanders has 5 payment agencies (uitbetaler): FONS (public), Infino, KidsLife, MyFamily and Parentia. The amounts are the same with all of them. You choose the agency for your first child and cannot change it afterwards.
- Wallonia: registration is not automatic. You register with FAMIWAL (public), Parentia, Camille or KidsLife. You can apply once you have completed the 6th month of pregnancy. You can only change fund free of charge after 2 years.
- Brussels: if you do not have a file yet, you apply to a child benefit fund (caisse d'allocations familiales / kinderbijslagfonds). The public fund is Famiris; there are also Parentia, Brussels Family and KidsLife. If you already have a file with a fund, benefit for a newborn starts automatically. A child who is not a Belgian national needs a valid right of residence.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- No penalty. But if you do not register, payments do not start. If you give incorrect or incomplete information, any overpayment may be reclaimed.
Legal basis:Vlaamse Regering – VR 2022 2110 MED.0378/1BIS
- Court / prison
- No prison sentence.
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- If you still receive family benefits from abroad, this may affect your rights in Belgium; tell your fund.
Legal basis:vlaanderen.be – Gezin met banden buiten Vlaanderen
- If the child stays abroad for a long time, separate rules apply: see the card 'Will my child benefit be stopped if my child stays abroad for a long time in the summer?'.
- At the end of September 2026, the Flemish Government announced measures that will affect the Groeipakket; the details have not yet been published.
Legal basis:vlaanderen.be – Vlaams Groeipakket
- A child who lives in Brussels and goes to a Dutch-language school or childcare can get schooltoeslag or kinderopvangtoeslag from Flanders.
Legal basis:vlaanderen.be – Gezin met banden buiten Vlaanderen
Why does this rule exist?
Child benefit helps families with the cost of raising children. Each region runs its own system, which is why the rules depend on where you live.
Where can you go?
- Violence helplineFlanders 1712 (weekdays 09–18) · Wallonia and Brussels 0800 30 030 (partner violence), 103 (child abuse) · Emergency 112
- Child and family servicesFlanders: Kind en Gezin / Opgroeien · Wallonia and Brussels: ONE
- School guidance centreThe school's CLB / centre PMS
- Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.
This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses
Source and reliability
Official source- Source check
- 11 / 11 statements in an official source
- Checked: 14.10.2026
- Last checked
- 14.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 11 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Taşınınca dosya yeni bölgenin kurumuna geçer; çocuğun yeri belirler
vlaanderen.be – Gezin met banden buiten Vlaanderen - Found in an official source
18 yaş altı için Groeipakket çoğunlukla otomatik; basisbedrag doğumdan sonra otomatik
Vlaanderen.be – Vlaams Groeipakket - Found in an official source
Startbedrag başvuru ile; en az 6 tam ay (180 gün) hamilelik belgesi
Vlaanderen.be – Je verwacht een kind - Found in an official source
5 uitbetaler: FONS, Infino, KidsLife Vlaanderen, MyFamily, Parentia; tutarlar aynı; ilk çocukta seçim; değiştirilemez
Vlaanderen.be – Je uitbetaler - Found in an official source
Valonya: otomatik kayıt yok; FAMIWAL, Parentia, Camille, KidsLife; 6. ay; 2 yıl sonra ücretsiz değişim
Wallonie.be – S'inscrire à une caisse d'allocations familiales - Corrected according to the source
Brüksel: bir kuruma kaydolmak gerekir; Famiris kamu kurumu
Famiris FAQ – How do I claim the child benefits?; Famiris ana sayfa ('Affiliez-vous chez Famiris'); Iriscare – Les caisses d'allocations familiales actives en Région bruxelloise - Found in an official source
Belçikalı olmayan çocuk için oturum hakkı şartı
Wallonie.be – Bénéficier d'allocations familiales (Flandre için: verblijfsvoorwaarden) - Found in an official source
Yurt dışından aile yardımı Flaman hakkını etkileyebilir
vlaanderen.be – Gezin met banden buiten Vlaanderen - Found in an official source
Flaman Hükümeti 30 Eylül'de Groeipakket'i etkileyen önlemler duyurdu
vlaanderen.be – Vlaams Groeipakket - Found in an official source
Brüksel'de Felemenkçe okul/kreş → schooltoeslag/kinderopvangtoeslag mümkün
vlaanderen.be – Gezin met banden buiten Vlaanderen - Found in an official source
Fazla ödenen paranın geri istenmesi
Vlaamse Regering – VR 2022 2110 MED.0378/1BIS
The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?