Germany’s Elterngeld is one of Europe’s most generous parental leave systems in terms of income replacement. Knowing how to maximize it — especially the Elterngeld Plus extension and partner months — significantly affects the amount you receive.
Basic Elterngeld
Elterngeld replaces 65–67% of your net income before the birth (based on the last 12 months of net earnings), up to a maximum of €1,800/month. The minimum is €300/month even if you had no income. Self-employed parents calculate based on profit statements from the previous year.
Duration: each parent receives 12 months. A two-parent family gets 14 months total if both parents take at least 2 months (the “partner months”). Single parents can receive all 14 months alone. You can start receiving Elterngeld in the first 14 months after birth; it doesn’t need to start immediately.
Elterngeld Plus
Elterngeld Plus (introduced 2015) doubles the duration at half the monthly amount. Instead of €1,200/month for 12 months, you receive €600/month for 24 months. This is useful if you plan to work part-time (under 32 hours/week) during the Elterngeld period — your benefit isn’t reduced as steeply when you return to work part-time.
Partnerschaftsbonus
If both parents work 25–32 hours per week simultaneously, both receive 4 additional months of Elterngeld Plus. This “Partnerschaftsbonus” adds up to €600/month for 4 months per parent — potentially significant if your income supports it.
Application Process
Apply at your state’s Elterngeldstelle (part of the Familienkasse or Sozialamt), usually online or by post. Required: birth certificate, income tax assessment (Einkommensteuerbescheid) or payslips, both parents’ ID, and a completed application form. Apply within the first 3 months after birth — Elterngeld is not paid retroactively beyond 3 months. Processing takes 4–8 weeks.
For Expats
EU citizens and most non-EU citizens with work permits who are employed in Germany qualify. Non-working spouses qualify for the minimum €300/month if their partner is employed. Students who were working before the birth receive Elterngeld based on their actual income. The tax-free nature of Elterngeld means it doesn’t count as income for GKV premium calculation.
