Asking adult children for board: tips and a helpful table
My adult child still lives at home, but earns money. Can I ask for board? Comparis explains and provides a helpful board table.
23.04.2025
iStock / Vasyl Dolmatov
1. Board and lodging at home: can I ask my adult child for a contribution?
In principle, if your adult child earns money through work, they are free to decide how to spend it (Art. 323 para. 1 of the Swiss Civil Code). However, the Swiss Civil Code (CC) also states that you can request an appropriate contribution towards maintenance (Art. 323 para. 2 CC). This is sometimes referred to as “board”.
Board basically refers to food or meals. On the other hand, lodging means accommodation or a place to stay.
Parents’ duty to provide for children in Switzerland
In Switzerland, parents have a duty to provide for minor children (Art. 277 para. 1 CC). This also applies to adult children who have not yet completed their education (Art. 277 para. 2 CC). This duty of maintenance includes:
Care
Education
Cash allowance
However, if your child earns money, you are partially exempt from the duty of maintenance (Art. 276 CC).
2. Why should my adult child pay board?
By paying board, your adult child will learn that they will not always have their full income at their disposal. They will develop their understanding of budgeting. Financial participation in the household will also prepare your adult child for an independent life and their own financial responsibility.
Talk about board at an early stage. Openly explain the costs of running a household. This will help your grown-up child understand why it makes sense to contribute to the household.
3. How much board is appropriate for a young adult and how much for minors?
What amount of board is appropriate depends on the individual case. Talk to your child. Generally, experts recommend 10–20% of their income. How much board you may charge depends, for example, on:
The amount of your child’s income
Costs that your child already pays themselves
Your monthly expenses
Your financial situation
For instance, you could follow the board and lodging guidelines drawn up by Budgetberatung Schweiz.
Board paid by adult and minor children: table for Switzerland
The table provides an example of how to calculate board. Depending on the situation, however, other limits or amounts may make sense.
Good to know: a higher income does not necessarily mean that you should ask for more money from your child. This is because the child may take care of some of the expenses themselves instead. For example, if their income is relatively high, it may be appropriate for your child to pay their own health insurance premiums.
| Monthly income | Board paid per month | Expenses paid by the child (example) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 francs | None | Public transport, clothing, mobile phone subscription |
| 500–1,000 francs |
|
In addition: health insurance |
| 1,000–1,500 francs |
|
In addition: hobbies, trips, ophthalmologist, dentist |
4. How long do adult children typically stay in their parents’ home?
According to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO), most young people leave their parents’ home between the ages of 20 and 30. The following factors have an influence on when adult children move out:
Gender: women usually move out earlier than men.
Year of birth: older year groups leave their parents’ home sooner than younger ones.
Nationality: people from neighbouring countries move out of their parents’ home earlier than people with Swiss citizenship or another nationality.
Around half of all young adults already live in their own place at the age of 22.
When it’s time for their own place after education instead of paying board
Now that your child has finished education and is earning more money, are they looking to move out? On the Comparis property marketplace, you can find different apartments for any budget.
5. Paying board: how to avoid arguments
To avoid arguments, you should always communicate openly. Start talking to your child about money early on. This way, they will develop an understanding of personal finances.
Discuss the cost of board with your child. Also consider a solution as a family if you have several children with different incomes. Note down all agreements in writing.
This article was first published on 20.06.2017
