Elterngeld (Parental Allowance) is a government benefit that helps replace part of your lost income when you take time off work or reduce your working hours to care for your newborn or newly adopted child. It gives parents the financial breathing room to focus on family, bond with their child, and navigate the important early months without the full pressure of lost earnings
Elterngeld is designed to help parents balance family life and finances during the first months after welcoming a child. If you have recently had or adopted a child, you may be eligible to receive this benefit, which helps replace part of the income lost when taking time off work or reducing your working hours to care for your child.
One of the key features of Elterngeld is its flexibility. Parents can share the available months between them, allowing both partners to spend valuable time with their child while maintaining financial support. Depending on your family’s circumstances, you can choose whether one parent takes the majority of the leave or whether both parents share the time and benefits.
To qualify for Elterngeld, you generally need to meet the following requirements:
✅ You personally care for and raise your child.
✅ You live in the same household as your child.
✅ You may work up to 32 hours per week while receiving Elterngeld.
✅ You are a German, EU, or EEA citizen, or you hold a residence permit that allows you to live and work in Germany.
✅ For children born on or after 1 April 2025, your taxable income in the calendar year before your child’s birth must generally not exceed €175,000.
You may also be eligible if you care for a child immediately after birth, even if the child is not biologically your own, or if you adopt a child. In the case of adoption, Elterngeld can generally be claimed until the child reaches the age of eight.
Good to know: Many South Africans living in Germany on eligible residence permits can qualify for Elterngeld. If you’re unsure whether your residence status meets the requirements, contact your local Elterngeldstelle for guidance before applying.
The amount of Elterngeld you receive depends on your income before your child’s birth. It is designed to replace part of the income you lose when you take time off work or reduce your working hours to care for your child.
For employees, the calculation is generally based on your average net income during the 12 months before your child’s birth. For self-employed parents, different assessment periods may apply. Also see the info about the child sickness benefit
In most cases, Elterngeld replaces between 65% and 100% of your previous net income. Parents with lower incomes receive a higher percentage, while higher earners generally receive around 65% of their previous earnings.
The minimum Elterngeld payment is €300 per month, while the maximum payment is €1,800 per month.
Additional support may be available for families with multiple children. Families with older young children may qualify for a sibling bonus, while parents of twins, triplets, or other multiple births can receive an additional supplement for each additional child.
To get an estimate of your entitlement, you can use the official Elterngeld calculator before applying.
In addition to the regular Elterngeld payment, some families may qualify for extra support.
Families with at least one older young child may receive a sibling bonus. This bonus is paid in addition to the regular Elterngeld amount and is equal to 10% of the calculated benefit, with a minimum of €75 per month.
Parents of twins, triplets, or other multiple births receive an additional €300 per month for each additional child.
Basic Elterngeld can generally be paid for a maximum of 12 months.
If both parents share parental leave and both experience a reduction in income, two additional partner months may be granted, increasing the total entitlement to 14 months.
Parents can divide the available months between them in a way that suits their family situation. They may take the months one after the other or receive Elterngeld at the same time, provided the shared entitlement does not exceed the maximum available months.
Parents who would like to return to work part-time while continuing to receive support may benefit from ElterngeldPlus.
Instead of receiving the full Elterngeld amount for a shorter period, ElterngeldPlus allows parents to receive smaller monthly payments over a longer period. This option is particularly popular with parents who wish to balance childcare and part-time employment.
Parents who both work part-time at the same time may qualify for additional Partnership Bonus months. In many cases, this means each parent can receive between two and four extra months of ElterngeldPlus.
Single parents may also qualify if they meet the relevant working-hour requirements.
Because the rules for ElterngeldPlus and the Partnership Bonus can be complex and are subject to change, it is advisable to check your eligibility using the official Elterngeld calculator or by contacting your local Elterngeldstelle.
Apply online
You can submit your application online through the official ElterngeldDigital portal. The portal also includes a calculator to help you estimate how much Elterngeld you may receive.
Documents you may need
Before applying, have the following documents ready:
Processing times
Processing times vary between regions and can range from several weeks to several months. To avoid delays in receiving payments, it is advisable to submit your application as soon as possible after your child’s birth.
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