New Parent-Child Pass examination programme replaces Mother-Child Pass in Austria from 1 Oct 2026
Austria's new Eltern-Kind-Pass-Untersuchungsprogramm-Verordnung (EKPUV) entered into force on 1 October 2026, replacing the Mutter-Kind-Pass-Verordnung 2002. To receive the full childcare allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld), parents must complete five prescribed prenatal and five prescribed child medical examinations within set time windows.
What changed
The old Mother-Child Pass regulation (Mutter-Kind-Pass-Verordnung 2002) has been replaced by the new Parent-Child Pass Examination Programme Regulation (EKPUV), which entered into force on 1 October 2026. It applies to all pregnancies and births after 30 September 2026; those already covered by the old regulation are also subject to the new rules. A simultaneous amendment (BGBl. II Nr. 287/2026) adjusted § 13 so that the newborn hearing screening is no longer restricted to ENT specialists.
Who is affected
Pregnant women and parents of children up to approximately 14 months old are directly affected. Five specific prenatal medical examinations and five specific child examinations must be completed to receive the full childcare allowance. All other examinations — including ultrasounds, midwife consultations, and optional eye and ear checks — are voluntary and do not affect the allowance.
What to look out for
The five mandatory prenatal examinations must take place by week 16, weeks 18–22, 24–28, 30–34, and 35–38 of pregnancy. The five mandatory child examinations must take place in week 1 of life, weeks 4–7, months 3–5, 7–9, and 10–14. Missing a deadline without a valid excuse not attributable to the parent may result in a reduced childcare allowance.