Apply for a maintenance advance · einfach.wien
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  • Fill in a formExplained field by field, for example the registration form or the housing allowance application.
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  • Find an officeWho is responsible for what? With address, opening hours and map.
  • Remember deadlinesAdd a date and get a reminder by e-mail or in your calendar.
  • Words explained simplyOfficial German like “Bescheid” or “Frist” in everyday words.
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  4. Apply for a maintenance advance
Family & children

Apply for a maintenance advance

Official name: Prepare a maintenance advance

Unterhaltsvorschuss is money from the state for a child who is a minor. It can help when support is missing or comes irregularly. Here you prepare the application and proof.

Check what applies to me

No account · Answers stay in your browser

Steps
6 key steps, up to 14 depending on your situation
For you
5 short questions, then you see your steps
Main office
MA 11 / Gericht
Costs
none named in the sources
Online
possible for 1 of 14 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. 1Tell the advance apart from maintenanceSupport is money a parent pays for the child. The advance is money from the state when these payments are missing.Key step
    Why?
    It is meant to secure support for minors. It is only granted on application.
    What you do
    Ask MA 11 or the court. No claim and no amount is promised here.
    Where?
    MA 11 / GerichtDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Distinguish advance from maintenance entitlement

    State advance supports minor-child maintenance when payments are missing or irregular. Approval requires an application; this plan promises no entitlement or amount.

    SourceUnterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten
    Unterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten

    Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Legal basis: named on the source: Unterhaltsvorschußgesetz (UVG) (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)

    Open original source
  2. 2Check if the advance fits your caseRequirements are conditions that must be met. Here you check whether the advance could fit.Key step
    Why?
    In principle: the child is a minor and lives in Austria. It is Austrian, an EU/EEA citizen or stateless. It does not live with the person who owes support.
    What you do
    Other cases are not automatically excluded. MA 11 or the court checks your case.
    Where?
    MA 11 / GerichtDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Review conditions and possible exceptions individually

    Federal guidance generally lists minority, ordinary residence in Austria, Austrian/EU/EEA nationality or statelessness, and no shared household with the debtor. Do not automatically exclude other situations: MA 11 or the court reviews the actual route.

    SourceUnterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten
    Unterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten

    Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Legal basis: named on the source: Unterhaltsvorschußgesetz (UVG) (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)

    Open original source
  3. 3Collect the documents for the applicationThese are the proofs for the application. For example birth certificate, proof of citizenship, Meldebestätigung and proof of income.Key step
    Why?
    In principle you also need a title and proof of failed enforcement. But not in every case.
    What you do
    Compare the list with the office first. Instead of a Meldebestätigung, a ZMR check is possible on request. The ZMR is the residence register.
    Where?
    Vertretung / zuständiges GerichtDirectly with the named service

    What you need

    • Child birth certificate
      Document explained

      Clarify the required format in advance.

      Requirement
      Check for your case
      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.
      SourceUnterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten
      Unterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten

      Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Legal basis: named on the source: Unterhaltsvorschußgesetz (UVG) (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)

      Open original source
    • Child citizenship certificate or agreed status evidence
      Document explained

      For statelessness or other status have relevant evidence confirmed individually.

      Requirement
      Check for your case
      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.
      SourceUnterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten
      Unterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten

      Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Legal basis: named on the source: Unterhaltsvorschußgesetz (UVG) (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)

      Open original source
    • Both parents’ residence confirmations or agreed ZMR query
      Document explained

      Discuss an official ZMR query in advance.

      Requirement
      Check for your case
      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.
      SourceUnterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten
      Unterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten

      Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Legal basis: named on the source: Unterhaltsvorschußgesetz (UVG) (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)

      Open original source
    • Requested income evidence
      Document explained

      Agree persons, period and scope with the service; enter no amounts here.

      Requirement
      Check for your case
      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.
      SourceUnterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten
      Unterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten

      Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Legal basis: named on the source: Unterhaltsvorschußgesetz (UVG) (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)

      Open original source
    • Required enforceable maintenance title
      Document explained · Depends on your case

      Generally required; check the actual requirement and exceptions.

      Requirement
      Check for your case
      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.
      SourceUnterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten
      Unterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten

      Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Legal basis: named on the source: Unterhaltsvorschußgesetz (UVG) (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)

      Open original source
    • Required evidence of unsuccessful enforcement
      Document explained · Depends on your case

      Generally required; agree for the confirmed case.

      Requirement
      Check for your case
      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.
      SourceUnterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten
      Unterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten

      Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Legal basis: named on the source: Unterhaltsvorschußgesetz (UVG) (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)

      Open original source
    In detail

    Prepare the agreed case-specific evidence

    Agree the federal list with the service first. Title and unsuccessful enforcement are generally needed, not without exception in every case. Ask first if requirements are unclear; residence confirmation can be replaced by a requested ZMR query.

    SourceUnterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten
    Unterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten

    Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Legal basis: named on the source: Unterhaltsvorschußgesetz (UVG) (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)

    Open original source
  4. 4Prepare the application to the courtNow you prepare the application. An application is a written request to the court.Key step
    Why?
    According to the federal information, an approved advance starts in the month you apply. It lasts five years at most. The court decides the exact period.
    What you do
    Use all agreed proof. Prepare the application in the child's name. Submit it the agreed way.
    Where?
    Zuständiges BezirksgerichtDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Prepare the confirmed application through the agreed route

    With complete agreed evidence and confirmed court, prepare the application in the child’s name. Federal guidance places possible approval from the application month for at most five years; the court decides the actual period.

    SourceUnterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten
    Unterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten

    Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Legal basis: named on the source: Unterhaltsvorschußgesetz (UVG) (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)

    Open original source
  5. 5Wait for the court's decisionYour application is already at the court. Now you wait for the decision.Key step
    Why?
    You do not need a new application just because the decision is still missing.
    What you do
    Ask the court or representative about the status. Watch for the Bescheid, the written decision.
    Where?
    Bestehendes Gericht / VertretungDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Follow the existing advance application

    Check progress, delivery of the decision and next steps with the court or representative. Do not reapply because a decision is still pending.

    SourceUnterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten
    Unterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten

    Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Legal basis: named on the source: Unterhaltsvorschußgesetz (UVG) (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)

    Open original source
  6. 6Check how long payments will lastThe advance was approved. Now you check the payment period.Key step
    Why?
    According to the federal information, the Oberlandesgericht pays on the first of each month in advance. So you know when money comes.
    What you do
    Keep the letter safe. If something changes, talk to the court or representative. An extension is not automatic.
    Where?
    Gericht / bestehende VertretungDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Review approval and the actual payment period

    Retain the approved period and letters. Federal guidance states the higher regional court pays in advance on the first of each month. Clarify discrepancies or changed circumstances with the court or representative. Renewal is not automatic.

    SourceUnterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten
    Unterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten

    Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Legal basis: named on the source: Unterhaltsvorschußgesetz (UVG) (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)

    Open original source

Depending on your situation, this is added

  • Check if an application already exists
  • Check if your child is a minor
  • Check if you may represent the child
  • Coordinate with your representative
  • Find the district court where your child lives
  • Ask if you need a title or enforcement proof
  • Check which costs you may have
  • Send only the requested documents
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 Unterhaltsvorschuss?

What is meant? This asks whether you are preparing a new application or something is already running. Approved means the advance was granted.

What is the stage of this advance matter?
  • No sign-up needed
  • Nothing is sent to authorities
  • You submit applications yourself

Frequently asked questions

Can I do this online?

1 of 14 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.

SourceUnterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten
Unterhaltsvorschuss: Voraussetzungen, Gericht, Unterlagen und Kosten

Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Legal basis: named on the source: Unterhaltsvorschußgesetz (UVG) (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)

Open original source

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