Parental allowance in Germany (Elterngeld): how it works

2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Elterngeld replaces part of the income a parent loses by staying at home with a new baby. Parents without a previous income get the minimum amount. Foreign parents qualify if their residence permit allows them to work.

Rules, amounts and deadlines change. Check the official source named at the end before you act, and ask the office in your city, because procedures differ from town to town.

Step by step

1. Check whether you qualify

   You must live in Germany with your child, care for the child yourself and work no more than 32 hours a week. Besides German and EU citizens, people with a settlement permit, an EU Blue Card or another residence permit that allows employment qualify.

   Done

2. Check the income limit

   Parents whose taxable income together was above 175,000 euros in the year before the birth get no Elterngeld.

   Done

3. Work out the amount

   Basic Elterngeld is 65 percent of your average net income from the twelve months before the birth, and more for low incomes. The minimum is 300 euros, the maximum 1,800 euros a month. For twins, 300 euros are added for the second child.

   Done

4. Plan the months

   One parent can take up to 12 months. If the other parent takes at least two months, the couple gets 14 months in total. Single parents can take all 14.

   Done

5. Consider ElterngeldPlus

   ElterngeldPlus pays half as much per month, between 150 and 900 euros, for twice as long. It suits parents who go back to work part time.

   Done

6. Apply after the birth

   Send the application to the Elterngeldstelle of your federal state, online or by post. You find the office and the forms on familienportal.de. You need the birth certificate issued for Elterngeld, payslips for the last twelve months, the health insurance fund's confirmation of maternity benefit and, for employees, the employer's confirmation of parental leave.

   Done

Good to know

Elterngeld is paid retrospectively for only three months. Apply in the first weeks after the birth.

Elterngeld is not the same as parental leave (Elternzeit). Parental leave is your right to time off from your job, and you have to announce it to your employer in writing, seven weeks before it starts.

Elterngeld is not taxed itself, but it raises the tax rate on your other income, so it must be declared in the tax return.

Child benefit is paid as well, and the two are separate applications: child benefit in Germany (Kindergeld).

In short: 65 percent of net income, 300 to 1,800 euros a month, 12 months plus 2 partner months, at most 32 hours of work a week. Apply within three months of the birth.