Kindergarten meals: exemption or subsidy · einfach.wien
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  4. Kindergarten meals: exemption or subsidy
Family & children

Kindergarten meals: exemption or subsidy

Official name: Prepare kindergarten meal exemption or contribution

This is about food at kindergarten in Vienna. You may pay less or nothing for it. For this you apply to the MA 11 every year.

Check what applies to me

No account · Answers stay in your browser

Steps
7 key steps, up to 17 depending on your situation
For you
5 short questions, then you see your steps
Main office
MA 11
Costs
none named in the sources
Online
possible for 5 of 17 steps
What applies to you?How it worksFrequently asked questionsSourcesSimilar plans

How it works

These are the key steps, in the right order. Answer the short questions; then you see exactly what applies to you and what is added.

  1. 1Choose a meal exemption or allowanceThere are two routes. A Befreiung means you do not pay for the food. A Zuschuss means you get part of the cost paid.Key step
    Why?
    City kindergartens have the Befreiung. Private groups have a limited Zuschuss. Then some cost may stay with you.
    What you do
    It is only for children before school age who already attend care. The MA 11 and the care place are in charge. An application is not yet an approval.
    Where?
    MA 11 / BetreuungseinrichtungDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Separate exemption or limited contribution from place and care costs

    This route organises meals during childcare actually attended before compulsory schooling in Vienna. Municipal meal exemption differs from limited private contribution; higher private meal bill may leave remaining costs. Request is no offer or parent credit.

    SourceEssensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss
    Essensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss

    Stadt Wien · MA 11 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  2. 2Find your responsible MA 11 officeThe MA 11 is the City of Vienna's child and youth service. Its Rechtsvertretung handles your application.Key step
    Why?
    Which office is yours depends on your district. Only there does your application arrive correctly.
    What you do
    Look up the contact and address on the current page. This is not the same as the MA 10 customer number.
    Where?
    MA 11 · RechtsvertretungDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Confirm actual responsible MA-11 legal-representation service

    Residence district determines responsible legal-representation service of children and youth welfare MA 11. This differs from MA-10 customer number; review actual official receipt and current contact on page. No exact residential address here.

    SourceEssensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss
    Essensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss

    Stadt Wien · MA 11 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  3. 3Find out which income countsThe MA 11 checks your household's money. Income is the money you receive. Familienbeihilfe counts, Wohnbeihilfe does not.Key step
    Why?
    Whether you get help depends on this.
    What you do
    Ask the MA 11 about the current rules. Do not use old numbers from the internet. The app does not calculate anything for you.
    Where?
    MA 11Directly with the named service
    In detail

    Clarify current individual income or benefit review

    Directly review current MA-11 rules and actually relevant household records; according to current Vienna service family allowance belongs to review, housing allowance does not. Do not mix differing older portal figures. No income, child-count calculator or contribution amount in navigator, no entitlement from checklist.

    SourceEssensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss
    Essensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss

    Stadt Wien · MA 11 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  4. 4Copy proof of your incomeYou need copies of papers about your money. For example payslips, child support, pension or Familienbeihilfe.Key step
    Why?
    The MA 11 uses them to check your income.
    What you do
    Bring only what fits you and is asked for. If you are self-employed, the city mentions a confirmation from your tax adviser. Ask about it directly.
    Where?
    MA 11Directly with the named service

    What you need

    • Individually relevant income or benefit evidence
      Document explained

      Only actual list; copies sufficient according to city.

      Requirement
      Required when applicable
      Submission format
      Copy
      Translation
      No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
      Authentication
      No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
      Recency
      No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
      SourceEssensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss
      Essensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss

      Stadt Wien · MA 11 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    In detail

    Prepare only actually relevant income evidence in copy

    Organise individually existing wage, benefit, maintenance, family allowance or pension records according to actual list in copy. Do not universally demand every benefit type. For self-employment city specifies drawings confirmation by tax advice; clarify actual need directly. No amounts or assessment files here.

    SourceEssensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss
    Essensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss

    Stadt Wien · MA 11 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  5. 5Have the attendance confirmed on the formYou need the current application form. On the first page the care place confirms that your child attends.Key step
    Why?
    Without this confirmation the application is not complete.
    What you do
    Print the form, or fill it in on a computer and then print it. Let the care place or Tageseltern confirm. Ask the MA 11 about signatures and attachments.
    Where?
    Betreuungseinrichtung / MA 11Directly with the named service

    What you need

    • Current request with actual attendance confirmation
      Document explained

      Review actual form, signature and annual scope directly.

      Requirement
      Required when applicable
      Submission format
      Clarify format with the service
      Translation
      No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
      Authentication
      No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
      Recency
      No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
      SourceEssensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss
      Essensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss

      Stadt Wien · MA 11 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    In detail

    Confirm actual attendance and fully prepare current form

    Institution or childminder must confirm actual attendance on first request page. Print current form or complete on computer then print; this is no proven immediate online filing. Review signatures and needed attachments directly with MA 11, no universal original or ID-Austria requirement.

    SourceEssensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss
    Essensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss

    Stadt Wien · MA 11 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  6. 6Submit your application for this yearNow you hand in your application for this year.Key step
    Why?
    Only then does the MA 11 check your case. Prepared does not mean approved.
    What you do
    Send the papers with the attendance confirmation the way you chose. Keep proof that you sent them.
    Where?
    MA 11Directly with the named service
    In detail

    Carry out confirmed own annual request

    Personally file actually agreed evidence with actual attendance confirmation through confirmed official route; privately retain receipt. Prepared means no funding offer.

    SourceEssensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss
    Essensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss

    Stadt Wien · MA 11 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  7. 7Wait for the answer from MA 11Your application is at the MA 11. Now you wait for an answer.Key step
    Why?
    The office may have questions. Then you can answer quickly.
    What you do
    Check your post and emails. Do not apply a second time. How long it takes is not known here.
    Where?
    MA 11Directly with the named service
    In detail

    Follow sent request and actual reply

    Review existing receipt and actual queries; no second annual request on suspicion. The sources name no processing time.

    SourceEssensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss
    Essensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss

    Stadt Wien · MA 11 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source

Depending on your situation, this is added

  • Check how far along you are
  • Check that your child already attends
  • Check if the care is city-run or private
  • Apply for each child and each year
  • Check if part of the cost stays with you
  • Choose how to send the application
  • Send missing papers in time
  • Read the answer carefully
  • Report a change of childcare in writing
  • Report income changes right away
Use the questions to find out which of these apply to you
Tailored to you

What applies to you?

Answer a few short questions. The steps change right away: what does not apply to you drops out.

Question 1 of at most 5

How far along are you with the meal costs application?

What is meant? How far along are you? For example: application sent, answer received or care place changed.

What is actual meal-cost route stage?
  • No sign-up needed
  • Nothing is sent to authorities
  • You submit applications yourself

Frequently asked questions

Can I do this online?

5 of 17 possible steps mention an online channel in their text. Requirements are in the official source.

What does it cost?

No costs are recorded for these steps in the linked sources. Fees may still apply.

Do I need an einfach.wien account?

No. The plan works without registration; answers stay in your browser.

Does einfach.wien submit my application?

No. einfach.wien helps you prepare and links official channels. You submit applications yourself to the responsible service.

What this page is based on

The information is based on official sources. einfach.wien is a private project; the content has not been professionally reviewed. All information without guarantee, no legal advice. The responsible office is always authoritative.

SourceEssensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss
Essensbeitragsbefreiung und privater Essenskostenzuschuss

Stadt Wien · MA 11 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceEssenskosten: amtliche Information 05/2026
Essenskosten: amtliche Information 05/2026

Stadt Wien · MA 11 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source

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