Elterngeld in Germany: Parental Allowance, Amounts, and Application Process
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Elterngeld is a parental allowance in Germany for parents who temporarily stop working or reduce their working hours after the birth of a child in order to care for the child. In 2026, the system will continue to be divided into Basiselterngeld, ElterngeldPlus, and Partnerschaftsbonus. The amount of the benefits depends on income prior to the child’s birth, the chosen plan, and the family’s circumstances.
Elterngeld does not replace parental leave (Elternzeit): Parental leave is arranged with your employer, while the benefit is applied for through the Elterngeldstelle. These topics are related, but they involve different entitlements and require separate applications.
Who is eligible for Elterngeld
The basic requirements under the BEEG are as follows: the parent must live or usually reside in Germany, live in the same household as the child, care for the child personally, and not work full-time. Part-time employment is permitted if the average workweek during the child’s relevant month of life does not exceed 32 hours.
The benefit can be received by the child’s parents, and in some cases by other relatives up to the third degree of kinship, if the parents are unable to care for the child themselves due to death, serious illness, or disability.
It is important for foreign nationals to check their residence status. Generally, eligibility for Elterngeld is tied to legal residence and access to the labor market: for example, an Aufenthaltserlaubnis with a work permit, Niederlassungserlaubnis, an EU Blue Card, or citizenship of Germany, the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland. Specific exceptions depend on your status, so it’s best to check with the Elterngeldstelle (Parental Benefits Office) in case of doubt before submitting your application.
Income Limit
For children born on or after April 1, 2025, a single threshold applies: Elterngeld is not paid if zu versteuerndes Einkommen for the calendar year prior to the child’s birth exceeds 175,000 euros. For couples and parents raising a child separately, the parents’ incomes are combined; for a single parent, only their own income is taken into account.
Important: This refers not to gross salary, but to taxable income after allowable tax deductions. This is usually shown on your Steuerbescheid.
| Family | Taxable Income Threshold |
|---|---|
| Couples or single parents | up to 175,000 euros |
| Single parent | up to 175,000 euros |
Types of Elterngeld
In Germany, there are three main types of benefits.
| Type of payment | Minimum | Maximum | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Parental Allowance (Basiselterngeld) | 300 euros | 1,800 euros | when a parent loses all or part of their income after the child’s birth |
| ElterngeldPlus | 150 euros | 900 euros | when you want to spread out the payments or combine childcare with part-time work |
| Partnership Bonus | 150 euros | 900 euros | when both parents work part-time simultaneously in accordance with the bonus rules |
Basiselterngeld can be received starting from the child’s birth. Typically, parents are entitled to a total of 12 monthly payments; if the other parent’s income decreases, an additional 2 Partnermonate are added. Single parents in Germany may use these additional months themselves if they meet the requirements.
ElterngeldPlus replaces one month of Basiselterngeld with two months of ElterngeldPlus. This is convenient if a parent works part-time or wants to spread out the payments over a longer period.
Partnerschaftsbonus grants each parent 2, 3, or 4 additional months of ElterngeldPlus if both parents work an average of 24 to 32 hours per week during these crucial months of the child’s life.
How many months is the benefit paid for?
Basiselterngeld can only be received until the child reaches 14 months of age. Parents can divide the months between themselves—together, consecutively, or alternately—but after the 14th month, only ElterngeldPlus options remain, provided the conditions are met.
For children born on or after April 1, 2024, both parents are limited to receiving Basiselterngeld simultaneously for only one month during the child’s first 12 months of life. There are exceptions, such as in cases of multiple births, premature births, and certain situations related to a disability of the child or their siblings.
The period during which the mother receives maternity benefits (Mutterschaftsgeld) and the supplementary maternity benefit (Zuschuss zum Mutterschaftsgeld) is usually counted as months of the mother’s Basiselterngeld. Therefore, the payment schedule should be calculated not by calendar months, but by the child’s Lebensmonate.
Illustration for the section on the division of childcare responsibilities between parents.
How the Amount Is Calculated
Elterngeld typically replaces a portion of the net income that a parent loses after the birth of a child. For most working parents, the rate is approximately 65–67% of the estimated net income prior to the child’s birth, but the exact formula depends on income level, employment status after the birth, and other benefits.
Here are some guidelines:
- The minimum Basiselterngeld is 300 euros per month, even if you had no income before the child’s birth;
- The maximum Basiselterngeld is 1,800 euros per month;
- ElterngeldPlus and the Partnership Bonus are usually no more than half of the corresponding Basiselterngeld;
- Income earned after the child’s birth reduces the benefit amount, because it compensates for lost income, not your entire previous salary.
For an accurate calculation, it’s best to use the official Elterngeldrechner on the Familienportal. It takes into account monthly options, the employment status of both parents, Mutterschaftsgeld, and ElterngeldPlus.
Entrepreneurs and the Self-Employed
For self-employed individuals, the calculation is more complex because profit—not revenue—is taken into account. Typically, the tax period prior to the child’s birth is considered, rather than just the most recent pay stubs. If the business was recently established, income may be distributed across the calculation period in such a way that the final base amount ends up being lower than expected.
Before submitting an application, self-employed individuals should prepare their tax documents and discuss their plan in advance with the Elterngeldstelle or a tax advisor. This is especially important if business income continues after the child’s birth, as it may reduce the benefit amount.
Geschwisterbonus and Mehrlingszuschlag
If the family already has children or a child with a disability, the Geschwisterbonus may apply. It increases Elterngeld by 10%, but the minimum is 75 euros per month for Basiselterngeld and 37.50 euros for ElterngeldPlus.
The bonus is granted if the following individuals live in the household:
- another child under the age of 3;
- or two children under the age of 6;
- or a child with a disability under the age of 14 with a GdB of at least 20.
The Geschwisterbonus is paid until the end of the month in which the older child reaches the age limit.
In the case of twins, triplets, or other multiple births, Elterngeld is applied for once, but a Mehrlingszuschlag is added for the second and each subsequent child: 300 euros to the Basiselterngeld or 150 euros to the ElterngeldPlus.
Tax Class and Planning
For working spouses, the tax bracket can affect the calculated net income and, consequently, the amount of Elterngeld. If the parent who will receive the benefit switches to a more favorable tax bracket in advance, the payment may be higher.
This step only makes sense if you have enough time to plan ahead. The tax class that applied during the calculation period is usually important for the calculation. Therefore, a change in tax class is often planned immediately after pregnancy, rather than right before Mutterschutz begins. This decision should be considered alongside the tax implications for the other spouse and the upcoming tax return.
Taxes and Tax Returns
Elterngeld is not subject to taxes or social security contributions like regular wages. However, it is subject to the Progressionsvorbehalt: the amount of the benefit may increase the tax rate for the family’s other taxable income.
For this reason, after receiving Elterngeld, you are usually required to file a tax return. If the family receives large payments or one of the parents works part-time, it is best to set aside money in advance for a possible tax supplement.
Elterngeld and Health Insurance
Before applying for the benefit, it’s a good idea to check your contribution status with your Krankenkasse.
If a parent is insured with private health insurance, they usually continue to pay premiums on their own. With a public health insurance fund, much depends on whether the parent was a Pflichtmitglied, voluntarily insured, or covered under family insurance.
For Elterngeld recipients who are voluntarily insured under the GKV, contributions may continue even if the benefit itself is not subject to social security contributions. The threshold for mandatory insurance for employees changes annually; in 2026, the total Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze is 77,400 euros. Due to the nuances of your status, it is best to obtain a written clarification from your health insurance provider before the start of parental leave.
Elterngeld and Other Benefits
Elterngeld can be received at the same time as child benefit (Kindergeld): these are different benefits.
The situation is more complicated when it comes to Bürgergeld, ALG, Kurzarbeitergeld, Krankengeld, BAföG, and other benefits. Elterngeld is usually counted as income and may reduce benefit payments. If a parent was working before the child’s birth—for example, in a Minijob—an Elterngeldfreibetrag may apply, but its amount depends on previous income. For families receiving Bürgergeld or ALG, it’s best to check the calculation with the Jobcenter or a social services advisor before submitting an application.
How to Apply
The application is submitted after the child’s birth to the Elterngeldstelle in the child’s place of residence. After the child’s birth, online submission via ElterngeldDigital is available in many states, but the specific process depends on the federal state.
It is best to submit your application within the first three months of the child’s life: Elterngeld is paid retroactively for a maximum of three months.
Typically, the following are required:
- the child’s birth certificate;
- proof of income for the calculation period;
- statements regarding Mutterschaftsgeld and any employer contributions, if applicable;
- Proof of Elternzeit or part-time employment, if relevant to the benefit scheme;
- documents regarding residence status for foreign nationals;
- bank account information and tax identification number.
In the application, you must specify for which Lebensmonate each parent wishes to receive Basiselterngeld, ElterngeldPlus, or the Partnerschaftsbonus. These decisions can be changed, but there are restrictions for past months: changes for months older than three months are generally not accepted, and changes to months for which payments have already been made are allowed only under special circumstances.
Common Mistakes
- Count the months according to the calendar, not according to the child’s Lebensmonate.
- Submitting your application late and losing part of your payments for past months.
- Do not count Mutterschaftsgeld toward the mother’s Basiselterngeld months.
- Choose ElterngeldPlus without calculating income from part-time work.
- Do not check the impact of Bürgergeld, ALG, or health insurance.
- Forgetting to notify the Elterngeldstelle of new income or a change in working hours.
- It is too late to change your tax bracket.
Quick Checklist
- Check your eligibility for Elterngeld and the income threshold.
- Decide who will receive the benefit and during which Lebensmonate.
- Calculate several scenarios using the official Elterngeldrechner.
- Check your Krankenversicherung status and any applicable premiums.
- Prepare documents regarding your income, the child’s birth, and your residence status.
- Submit your application to the Elterngeldstelle within the first three months of the child’s life.
- Immediately notify the agency of any changes in your income, work hours, or family situation.
Key Points
Elterngeld helps families get through the period of caring for a child, but maximizing its benefits depends on planning. The most important decisions are made before the birth: the monthly schedule, part-time work, tax bracket, health insurance, and documents for the Elterngeldstelle. If your situation is non-standard—such as self-employment, Bürgergeld, private insurance, a complex residence permit, or a high income—it’s best to check the calculations in advance using official sources and with the relevant agency.
