When staying in Austria with children, especially families with elementary school-aged kids, one important service is “after-school care.” This article introduces “ABIservice,” which provides after-school care in Austria, explaining how to use it and important points to keep in mind.
Table of Contents
- Austrian elementary schools usually finish in the morning! When is after-school care needed?
- Registration and fees for ABIservice
✅ Pay attention to registration timing: usually around January
💶 After-school care fees are determined based on net household income
📝 Don’t forget to apply for fee reduction! - Procedures for transferring from Japan
📁 Required income documents
👥 If both parents travel together, income proof from both is necessary
🛬 Transfers after June are still possible
📝 Summary: Early registration and fee reduction application are key!
1. Austrian Elementary Schools Usually Finish in the Morning! When is After-School Care Needed?
Austrian elementary schools (Volksschule) typically finish classes in the morning. Similar to Japan, if parents are at work during the day and cannot pick up their children, or if children cannot safely return home alone, using after-school care services becomes almost essential.
The organization providing this after-school care is called “ABIservice.” The service includes total care such as lunch (school meals), so children can spend their afternoons safely and comfortably.
Some schools offer full-day classes called Ganztagsschule, where afternoon curriculum is scheduled. In such cases, registering for after-school care may be mandatory. This is an important difference compared to Japan.
2. Registration and Fees for ABIservice
✅ Registration Timing: Usually Around January
The Austrian school year generally starts in the second week of September. Therefore, provisional registration with ABIservice should ideally be completed by January of the previous school year. (This may vary by region or school.)
You can make a reservation through the “Kinderbetreuung + Schule” section on the following website. After provisional registration in January, you apply for fee reduction around June.
Graz City Citizen Service: https://www.graz.at/cms/ziel/7688125/DE
💶 After-school care fees are determined based on net household income
ABIservice’s fees are based on the household’s annual net income. However, upon initial registration, the highest fee is automatically applied. If you do not take action, you might end up paying nearly 260 euros per month depending on the number of days used.
📝 Don’t forget to apply for fee reduction!
To reduce fees to the appropriate level, you must apply for fee reduction. This involves visiting the ABIservice office and submitting income proof from the previous year. Your fees will then be adjusted according to your net income.
Example:
Highest fee → approx. 260 euros/month
Lowest fee → approx. 90 euros/month
Not submitting documents could cost you over 170 euros extra! This process must be repeated annually, so be sure to apply every school year.
3. Procedures for Transferring from Japan
Even if you transfer to Austria from overseas, especially from Japan, you can still use ABIservice’s after-school care. However, some points need attention.
📁 Required Income Documents
For fee reduction, you need to submit documents proving your income from Japan.
Typical documents include:
- Tax return form with official seal
- Withholding tax certificate (preferably in English)
If possible, ask your employer to issue an English version of the withholding tax certificate to make the process smoother.
👥 If Both Parents Travel Together, Income Proof from Both Is Required
In Austria, fees are determined by the household’s total net income, so working couples must submit income proof from both. If one spouse is a homemaker, you need to show proof of being a dependent (e.g., a withholding certificate indicating this or a tax exemption certificate). If such documents cannot be provided, you can submit a sworn declaration on a form provided by ABIservice staff. You can request the form directly from them.
🛬 Transfers After June Are Possible
Although registration is usually required by June, for transfers from Japan it is not always possible to arrive by then. In such cases, you can still contact ABIservice based on instructions from the new school and complete the procedures accordingly.
📝 Summary: Early Registration and Fee Reduction Application Are Key!
After-school care in Austria is a very convenient and reassuring system once you understand how it works. The flexible fee system based on income and the coordination with schools are especially interesting differences compared to Japan.
If you are planning to start living in Austria or are preparing to transfer, start gathering information and completing procedures early for a smooth new life!
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