Government approves CZK 5000 one-off payment for children under 18

Families whose gross income last year was below CZK 1 million could receive a one-off payment of up to CZK 5 000 in child allowance. Parents should receive the payment during the second half of the summer holidays for any children still under the age of 18 on 1 August. The government approved the bill on Wednesday evening, but it will still have to be debated in the lower house. The opposition has already announced that it will propose changes.

The contribution is intended to help mitigate the effects of rising prices on families. According to estimates, 1.6 million children could be entitled to the benefit and the total expense for the government could amount to about CZK 7.8 billion.

Households already claiming child allowance should receive the extra support automatically. Other parents will have to apply for it. Non-Czech citizens can also receive the benefit if they have children with permanent residence and domicile in the Czech Republic.