A guide for parents
Pocket money in Switzerland: how much by age?
By Léo, dad and maker of Famipal · Updated November 2, 2026
How much pocket money should a 6, 9 or 12-year-old get in Switzerland? The recommended amounts went up sharply in 2025. Here are the current figures, how often to pay, and the question many families argue about: should pocket money depend on chores?
Short answer: Budget Counselling Switzerland recommends about CHF 12 a month at age 6, CHF 30 at 9, CHF 50 at 12 and CHF 80 at 15, plus money for fixed costs (phone, clothes) that teenagers take over. The old rule of thumb, "one franc a week per school year", no longer applies.
Recommended amounts by age
These amounts are the child's money to spend freely: sweets, the swimming pool, the cinema, small presents.
| Age | Per month | Suggested payment |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | CHF 12 | CHF 3 a week, + CHF 3 a month to save |
| 7 | CHF 16 | CHF 4 a week, + CHF 4 a month to save |
| 8 | CHF 20 | CHF 5 a week, + CHF 5 a month to save |
| 9 | CHF 30 | CHF 15 every two weeks |
| 10 | CHF 35 | CHF 18 every two weeks |
| 11 | CHF 40 | CHF 20 every two weeks |
| 12 | CHF 50 | once a month |
| 13 | CHF 60 | once a month |
| 14 | CHF 70 | once a month |
| 15 | CHF 80 | once a month |
| 16 | CHF 90 | once a month |
| 17 | CHF 100 | once a month |
| 18 | CHF 110 | once a month |
Source: Dachverband Budgetberatung Schweiz (Budget Counselling Switzerland), guideline values 2025/2026, in German and French. From 12, savings come out of this amount, depending on the child's goal.
What about teenagers' fixed costs?
From secondary school, you can hand teenagers some of their own costs, with the budget to match. Budget Counselling Switzerland suggests, per month and as needed: mobile phone CHF 10 to 30, clothes and shoes CHF 50 to 90, haircuts and toiletries CHF 10 to 30, bike or moped CHF 10 to 30, plus travel and meals out at actual cost. It's the best budgeting practice before a first apprentice wage.
How to pay it: five simple rules
- Regularly, without being asked. Same day, same rhythm: that's what lets a child plan ahead.
- Weekly for young children, every two weeks from about 9–10, then monthly.
- Their money, their choices. Children are allowed to make mistakes and spend it all in one day: that's how they learn. Avoid advances and debts.
- Not a punishment or a school reward. Don't cut pocket money as a sanction, and don't tie it to grades.
- Review the amount once a year, for example at the start of the school year, and whenever your child takes over a new cost.
Should you pay for chores?
Many parents ask this. Swiss experts are clear: not for everyday chores. Setting the table, tidying their room or feeding the cat are part of family life, not paid work. Pocket money is paid whatever happens.
For a bigger job, such as washing the car or mowing the lawn, a small bonus agreed with your child beforehand is perfectly fine. And money earned elsewhere (from neighbours, a summer job) isn't deducted from pocket money.
Which leaves the real problem: how do you get children to do their chores without paying them or asking ten times? What works is making the effort visible: a clear list, a box to tick every day, and a small end-of-week reward you choose together (a game, an outing, picking Sunday's dinner).
Printable chore chart
A weekly chart to fill in, with chore ideas by age on the back. Free, no sign-up.
Download the PDFFrequently asked questions
At what age should pocket money start?
The Swiss guidelines start at 6, the age when most children can count and read a price. Before that, a small amount now and then is enough to discover what coins are worth.
Should siblings get the same amount?
No, it goes by age. Explain the rule to the younger ones: they'll get the same amount at the same age.
Does my child need a bank account?
Around 10–12, a youth account helps them save for a bigger goal. For younger children, a see-through piggy bank works very well: they can watch the money grow.