Pocket money in Switzerland: at what age should you start, how much to give and for what purpose?

Learning to manage money is part of education. By giving their children pocket money, parents offer them the opportunity to develop essential skills: budgeting, saving, making choices, and taking responsibility for their decisions. But one question often arises: at what age should children start giving pocket money, and how much?

In this article, we review family practices in Switzerland, the results of recent studies, and concrete recommendations for finding the right balance.

Why give pocket money?

In Switzerland, the majority of parents choose to give pocket money as soon as their child shows an interest in money, usually upon starting school (around age 6).

The advantages are numerous:

• Children learn that money is not unlimited.
• They practice planning expenses and saving money.
• They understand the value of possessions and the price of desires.
• They also experience mistakes, which is part of learning.

Associations such as Pro Juventute or Budget-conseil Suisse also recommend giving a fixed amount regularly, without directly linking it to academic results or behavior.

How much should I give depending on the age?

The amount depends primarily on age and family budget. Here is a reference table based on recommendations from Budget-conseil Suisse:

The idea is not to give "as much as possible", but to allow children to manage an amount appropriate to their age and needs.

Practical advice for parents

1. Be consistent: set a payment day and stick to it.
2. Don't make pocket money conditional: it should not be a reward for good grades or good behavior.
3. Set clear rules: specify with your children what they can buy with their money (treats, games, outings, phone, etc.).
4. Introduce a "youth salary" from age 12: it includes pocket money but also covers certain expenses such as clothes or leisure activities.
5. Teach them to save: a fixed portion can go into a piggy bank or a savings account.
6. No systematic advances: they prevent the child from learning patience and management.
7. Encourage autonomy: let them experiment, even if they make bad purchases.

Pocket money, a key to financial independence

Pocket money is not just a sum given each week or month: it is a powerful educational tool. It prepares children and teenagers to manage their future finances, make responsible choices, and develop their independence.

In Switzerland, most families consider pocket money an essential step in financial education. The important thing is to adapt the amount, establish simple rules, and maintain a supportive attitude: after all, making mistakes is part of learning.

And you, at what age did you start giving your children pocket money, and what amount do you consider fair?

This article should absolutely not put pressure on you as parents to give your children a specific amount of money. Depending on your means and educational choices, everything is fair… The most important thing is to raise children within a clear framework, and values can be transmitted in many different ways with the same positive results for them.

Personally, I never received pocket money as a child, but my wife did! For our children, we started giving pocket money in 7th grade (Harmos) with 15.-/month and the same amount until 11th grade. Then, with high school, there's a jump to 100.-/month, but with several purchases to be made independently using one's own money (anything extra: like brand-name clothes or shoes, leisure activities, food bought in addition to what we have available at home, etc.). .