Elterngeld

Elterngeld (parental allowance) replaces part of your income for the months you reduce work to care for a newborn. It comes in three forms that can be combined, and it is a separate thing from Elternzeit (the job-protected leave itself) — see Elternzeit for that.

Quick Summary

Elterngeld pays 65–67% of your lost net income, up to a cap, for a limited number of months shared between both parents. You choose between three variants — Basiselterngeld, ElterngeldPlus, and the Partnerschaftsbonus — depending on how much you work and for how long you want the payment stretched out.

Who Needs This

• You are expecting a child or have recently had one
• You are reducing your working hours (or stopping entirely) to care for the child
• You want to understand how much you’ll receive and for how long
• You hold a foreign residence permit and want to check whether you qualify

The Three Variants

Basiselterngeld

• Pays 65–67% of your average net income from the 12 months before birth (higher percentage for lower earners).
• Maximum €1,800/month; minimum €300/month (paid even if you had no income before birth, e.g. if you were a homemaker or student).
• Paid for up to 12 months total between both parents, or 14 months if both parents take at least 2 months each (the “partner months”).
• A single parent with sole custody can claim the full 14 months alone.

ElterngeldPlus

• Pays half the Basiselterngeld amount per month (maximum €900/month), but stretches over twice as long.
• Designed for parents who return to part-time work sooner: you can keep receiving support while working up to around 32 hours/week.
• One month of Basiselterngeld can be converted into two months of ElterngeldPlus, extending total support up to 24 (or 28 with partner months) months.

Partnerschaftsbonus

• Four extra months of ElterngeldPlus per parent (8 months combined) if both parents work simultaneously between 24–32 hours/week for at least 2 consecutive months.
• Meant to encourage both parents sharing childcare and part-time work at the same time, rather than one parent working full-time while the other doesn’t work at all.

Income limit

As of late 2025, households with combined taxable annual income above €175,000 are not eligible for Elterngeld at all. Confirm the current threshold before assuming eligibility.

Eligibility for Foreign Nationals

Under §1 Abs. 7 BEEG, your residence permit type determines eligibility:

• Generally qualifies: an EU Blue Card, a residence permit that allows employment (e.g. Skilled Worker visa, settled work permits), or a Niederlassungserlaubnis (settlement permit).
• Does not qualify: a residence permit issued only for study or training purposes, a Duldung (tolerated stay), or an Aufenthaltsgestattung (pending asylum procedure).
• Exact eligibility depends on the specific wording and purpose of your permit, not just its name — permits with similar names can differ in whether they allow employment. When unsure, ask the Elterngeldstelle directly before assuming either way.

Step-By-Step: Applying

1. Confirm which variant (Basiselterngeld, ElterngeldPlus, or a mix) fits your and your partner’s work plans — this shapes how you fill in the application.
2. Wait until after the birth; Elterngeld cannot be applied for beforehand.
3. Gather documents (see below) and find your local Elterngeldstelle — it’s usually organized by state or city, so search “[your city] Elterngeldstelle” or ask your Standesamt.
4. Submit the application, ideally within the first weeks after birth — Elterngeld can only be paid retroactively for up to 3 months before your application month.
5. Decide with your partner in advance how you’ll split the months between Basiselterngeld and ElterngeldPlus, since this is fixed for both parents once approved and hard to change later.
6. Keep proof of your working hours if you’re combining Elterngeld with part-time work (needed for ElterngeldPlus and the Partnerschaftsbonus).

Common Documents

• Child’s birth certificate
• Both parents’ passports and residence permits
• Proof of income for the 12 months before birth (payslips or tax assessment if self-employed)
• Anmeldung confirmation for the family
• Employer confirmation of parental leave (Elternzeit), if applicable
• Bank account details (IBAN) for payment

Common Mistakes

• Applying before the birth instead of after
• Not checking whether your specific residence permit qualifies before assuming eligibility either way
• Splitting Basiselterngeld/ElterngeldPlus months without agreeing on the plan with your partner first, since it’s hard to revise later
• Missing the 3-month retroactive limit by applying too late
• Assuming the Partnerschaftsbonus is automatic — it requires both parents to actually work 24–32h/week simultaneously, verified afterward

Important Note

Elterngeld rules, caps, and the income threshold are set at the federal level but interpreted by local Elterngeldstellen, and can change. Confirm your specific eligibility, amount, and required documents with your local Elterngeldstelle before making financial plans.