Almost €9.6 million in overpaid family benefits: what recipients need to know

As at 1 October 2026, 2,166 recipients are required to repay the Children’s Future Fund (Caisse pour l’avenir des enfants, CAE) approximately €9.6 million in benefits paid to them in error. This is according to a written reply from Max Hahn, Minister for Family Affairs, to a parliamentary question, published on 22 October. The figure takes into account debts arising from all causes and is constantly changing: new debts arise, whilst some are repaid.

An overpayment does not necessarily mean fraud. The minister cites the following as typical reasons: the recipient failed to report moving abroad or a change in family circumstances; one of the parents started working in their country of residence, and the payments were transferred to another country; or the information provided was incomplete or inaccurate.

The recipient is obliged to notify the fund of any changes. Any overpayment must be repaid in all cases, and the CAE may demand repayment within ten years of the payment being made. If a change has not been reported — including a change of address not registered with the local authority — a fine of up to the amount of the overpayment may be imposed in addition to the repayment; in cases of fraud, the matter is referred to the public prosecutor.

Debts are usually deducted from future benefits. For the children of cross-border workers, living abroad does not in itself result in the loss of entitlement to benefits.