Parental leave in Germany (Elternzeit): how to take it

2 min read · 7 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Elternzeit is time off from your job to look after your child. The employer pays no wage, but must keep your job and cannot refuse the leave. The money for this time comes from a separate benefit, parental allowance (Elterngeld).

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 that you qualify

   You must be an employee or apprentice, live in one household with the child and look after the child yourself. Part-time and mini-job workers and people on fixed-term contracts qualify too. It also applies to adopted and foster children. Self-employed people, students and people without a job do not need Elternzeit and cannot take it.

   Done

2. Plan how much and when

   Each parent has up to three years per child. Up to 24 months of it can be taken between the child's third and eighth birthday. For the mother, the eight weeks of maternity protection after the birth count towards the three years. Both parents can be on leave at the same time.

   Done

3. Split it if you like

   You may divide your leave into up to three periods without asking the employer's consent.

   Done

4. Write to your employer in time

   The notice must reach the employer at least seven weeks before the leave starts if the child is under three, and at least 13 weeks before if the child is between three and eight. Phone or a quick email is not enough: hand in a signed letter and have its receipt confirmed. A sample letter is offered on elternzeit.de.

   Done

5. Fix the first two years

   In the letter you must say for which periods within the first two years you take leave. You are bound by that. Changing it later needs the employer's agreement.

   Done

6. Decide about part-time work

   During Elternzeit you may work up to 32 hours a week, for your own employer or, with consent, for another one. In companies with more than 15 employees you have a right to part-time work during parental leave under certain conditions.

   Done

7. Apply for parental allowance separately

   Elternzeit and Elterngeld are two different things with two different addressees: the leave is declared to the employer, the money is applied for at the Elterngeld office. See parental allowance in Germany (Elterngeld): how it works.

   Done

Good to know

Protection against dismissal starts when you hand in the notice, at the earliest eight weeks before the leave begins, and lasts to its end.

Members of a statutory health insurer stay insured without contributions during Elternzeit, as long as they have no income from work. Ask your insurer, above all if you are privately or voluntarily insured.

After the leave you have a right to return to your job or to an equivalent one with the same pay.

If your residence permit depends on your job, ask the immigration office before a long leave what it means for your permit.

In short: Up to three years per parent, written notice seven weeks before (13 weeks from age three), up to three periods, part-time up to 32 hours, Elterngeld applied for separately.