How to apply for Elterngeld in Germany

Who can get Elterngeld?

• You live in Germany (residence or habitual abode).
• The child lives in your household and you care for it yourself.
• You work no more than 32 hours per week.
• The taxable income in the calendar year before the birth was not above €175,000 (couples combined and single parents, births from 1 April 2025).

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are generally treated like Germans. Other nationals need a residence permit that allows employment.

How much is it?

Basiselterngeld is usually 65–67% of your net income before the birth, up to 100% for low incomes – at least €300 and at most €1,800 per month. ElterngeldPlus is half as much but paid twice as long. Maternity pay (Mutterschaftsgeld) and the employer's supplement are deducted in the first months.

How long?

• Basiselterngeld: 12 months for one parent, 14 months if both parents take it (single parents: 14).
• ElterngeldPlus: one basic month becomes two Plus months.
• Partnership bonus: 2–4 extra ElterngeldPlus months if both parents work 24–32 hours per week at the same time.

For births from 1 April 2024, both parents may receive Basiselterngeld at the same time for one month at most, and only within the first 12 months (exceptions e.g. for premature births, multiples and children with disabilities).

Deadline: apply within the first 3 months

Elterngeld is paid retroactively only for the last three months of life before the month in which the application arrives. Apply as soon as you have the birth certificate for Elterngeld.

Which documents do you need?

• Birth certificate for Elterngeld (original from the registry office)
• Payslips for the 12 months before the birth / maternity leave
• Health insurer's certificate on maternity pay and employer's certificate on the supplement
• Self-employed: income tax assessment
• Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: copy of passport and residence permit

Every federal state has its own form and Elterngeldstelle. Which documents are required depends on your answers – our assistant shows them as a checklist.

Step by step

• Choose your federal state and who applies (one or both parents).
• Enter the details on the child, the parents, income and the months you want.
• Print, sign (the other parent too) and send it with the documents to the Elterngeldstelle.