Financial Benefits and Bonuses
Having a baby can be an expensive business, which is why it's well worth figuring out how to take advantage of the various allowances, bonuses and other benefits you may be entitled to. Benefits you may be entitled are outlined here:
child benefits in Belgium differ by region. Brussels, Wallonia, and Flanders each have their own systems and terminology ('allocations familiales' / 'kinderbijslag' / ‘Groeipakket’). Generally, almost every child living in Belgium is entitled to a monthly payment. The amounts differ from region to region, as the local governments provide the money
bonuses from your mutuelle, which, depending on your mutuelle, may include a welcome bonus, breastfeeding bonus, free domestic help
adoption allowance ('prime d'adoption' / 'adoptiepremie) - one-off payment of over €1200 per child adopted, paid by the family allowance agency
Additionally, nearly every expecting parent can receive a one-off maternity allowance. The amounts (all over a thousand euros) are set and provided by the regional government and overseen by a public body:
VUTG in Flanders (Groeipakket.be)
AVIQ in Wallonia (AVIQ.be)
Iriscare in Brussels (Iriscare.brussels)
You can freely choose your child benefit fund, whether you are employed or self-employed. The chosen fund will calculate your amount, communicate with you, and handle the money transfers. You can change funds after one year in Flanders, and two in the other regions.
Learn more about:
Startbedrag and Groeipakket in Flanders
Prime de naissanceand allocations familiales in Wallonia
Allocation de naissance(kraamgeld) and allocations familiales (kinderbijslag) in Brussels
You can read more about the birth allowance ('prime de naissance' / 'kraamgeld') a one-off payment of over €1200 per child born (in Brussels, the amount is less for subsequent children), paid by the family allowance agency at: birth allowance
Starting amount (Startbedrag) in Flanders
When your child is born or adopted in Flanders, you may be entitled to a one-off starting amount (startbedrag) of €1,269.25 per child. If you are expecting twins or triplets, you receive the starting amount for each child.
You can apply during pregnancy, and the starting amount can be paid from two months before your baby's expected date of birth.
Important: new pregnancy certificate rules since 1 August 2026
If you apply before your baby is born, you need a pregnancy certificate stating your expected due date.
Since 1 August 2026, this certificate may only be issued by your doctor or midwife from the 7th month of pregnancy onwards. If your certificate was issued too early, you will need to provide a new one.
You can still apply from the 6th month of pregnancy. The new rule only changes when your pregnancy certificate can be issued. It does not change when you can receive the payment: the starting amount can still be paid from two months before your baby's expected due date.
After your baby is born, you will automatically start receiving the monthly Flemish Growth Package (Groeipakket) through your payment provider.
Already receiving the Groeipakket for another child?
Since 1 July 2026, if you are expecting a second or subsequent child, you must apply for the starting amount through the payment provider that already manages your family's Groeipakket. This is part of Flanders' gradual transition towards a single payment provider.
Source: Infino 08 2026
Read more about the administration and costs necessary when having a baby in Belgium: