You adopt a child: financial assistance

Verified 25 October 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

If you adopt a child, you can receive support under certain conditions. They vary according to the age of the child: less than 3 years, between 3 and 6 years, more than 6 years.

Less than 3 years

Several aids exist.

Adoption premium

If you adopt (or will take in for adoption) a child under the age of 20, you may be entitled to adoption premium. It is a means-tested payment. You must have used either the child welfare service (Ase), a French organization authorized for adoption (or the French adoption agency) or a competent foreign authority.

Support for the maintenance and upbringing of the child
Help with child care
  • If you entrust your child to a registered nursery assistant, you may be entitled to free choice of custody complement. It is a partial payment of the mother's salary. You can also benefit from a tax credit.
  • If you directly employ someone who is caring for your child at your home, you may be entitled to free choice of custody complement. It's a partial assumption of the person's remuneration. You can also benefit from a tax credit.
  • If you use a micro-nursery, which is a group accommodation facility with a maximum capacity of 12 places, you can enjoy the free choice of custody complement for child care expenses. You can also benefit from a tax credit.
Help if you interrupt your professional activity to care for your child

If you completely or partially interrupt your professional activity to take care of your child and you prove 8 quarters of old-age contributions in the last 2 years, you are entitled to the Shared Child Education Benefit (PreParE) as long as your child is under 3 years old.

Help if your child becomes seriously ill, injured or disabled

You may be entitled to the daily parental attendance allowance (DPA). It allows you to temporarily stop your activity to take care of your child.

If your child has a disability, there may be a impact on your income tax.

3 to 6 years

Several aids exist.

Adoption premium

If you adopt (or will take in for adoption) a child under the age of 20, you may be entitled to adoption premium. It is a means-tested payment. You must have used either the child welfare service (Ase), a French organization authorized for adoption (or the French adoption agency) or a competent foreign authority.

Family allowances

If you have at least 2 children, you may be entitled to family allowances. The amount depends on your resources, the number of dependent children and their age.

Help with child care
  • If you entrust your child to a registered nursery assistant, you may be entitled to free choice of custody complement. It is a partial payment of the mother's salary. You can also benefit from a tax credit.
  • If you directly employ someone who is caring for your child at your home, you may be entitled to free choice of custody complement. It's a partial assumption of the person's remuneration. You can also benefit from a tax credit.
  • If you use a micro-nursery, which is a group accommodation facility with a maximum capacity of 12 places, you can enjoy the free choice of custody complement for child care expenses. You can also benefit from a tax credit.
Help if your child becomes seriously ill or is injured or becomes disabled

You may be entitled to the daily parental attendance allowance (DPA). It allows you to temporarily stop your activity to take care of your child.

If your child has a disability, there may be a impact on your income tax.

6 years and older

Several aids exist.

Adoption premium

If you adopt (or will take in for adoption) a child under the age of 20, you may be entitled to adoption premium. It is a means-tested payment. You must have used either the child welfare service (Ase), a French organization authorized for adoption (or the French adoption agency) or a competent foreign authority.

Family allowances

If you have at least 2 children, you may be entitled to family allowances. The amount depends on your resources, the number of dependent children and their age.

Help if your child becomes seriously ill or is injured or becomes disabled

You may be entitled to the daily parental attendance allowance (DPA). It allows you to temporarily stop your activity to take care of your child.

If your child has a disability, there may be a impact on your income tax.