How much is Elterngeld per month?

Basiselterngeld replaces about 65–67% of your net income, with a minimum of €300 and a maximum of €1,800 per month. ElterngeldPlus pays half the monthly amount (€150 to €900) over roughly twice as long.

What is the maximum Basiselterngeld in 2026?

The maximum Basiselterngeld is €1,800 per month, and the minimum is €300 per month. ElterngeldPlus ranges from €150 to €900 per month.

Is there an income limit for Elterngeld?

Yes. For babies born on or after April 1, 2025, parents whose combined taxable income exceeded €175,000 in the calendar year before the birth are not eligible for any Elterngeld.

Can expats and foreigners get Elterngeld in Germany?

Yes, if you live in Germany, care for your child, and work no more than 32 hours per week while receiving it. EU/EEA citizens qualify automatically; non-EU parents need a residence permit that allows work.

Can both parents take Basiselterngeld at the same time?

For children born on or after April 1, 2024, both parents can claim Basiselterngeld simultaneously for a maximum of one month within the first 12 months, with exceptions for premature babies, multiple births, or children with disabilities.

Do I get both Elterngeld and Kindergeld?

Yes — they are separate benefits and you should claim both. Kindergeld is a flat €259 per month per child as of January 2026, while Elterngeld replaces part of your lost income.

elterngeld3 min read

What is Elterngeld? Expat Guide to Parental Allowance in Germany

April 4, 2026(updated May 30, 2026)

Having a baby in Germany is exciting — but for expat parents, the bureaucracy can turn that joy into a paperwork puzzle. Elterngeld (parental allowance) is the main financial support when you take time off work to care for your newborn. Here's how much you can get, who qualifies, and the "gotchas" that catch international families.

How much Elterngeld will you get?

Elterngeld is based on your average net income in the 12 months before the birth.

Basiselterngeld replaces about 65–67% of your net income, with a minimum of €300 and a maximum of €1,800 per month.
ElterngeldPlus pays half the monthly amount (€150 to €900) but for roughly twice as long — ideal if you work part-time.
Even with no prior income, you still receive the €300 per month minimum.
Bonuses: a sibling bonus (+10%, at least €75/month) if you have another young child, and +€300 per additional child for twins or more.

Want your exact number? Try our free Elterngeld calculator, or read the full Elterngeld guide.

The income limit (a critical gotcha)

For babies born on or after April 1, 2025, couples and single parents whose combined taxable income (zu versteuerndes Einkommen) exceeded €175,000 in the calendar year before the birth are no longer eligible for any Elterngeld. This isn't your gross salary — it's income after deductions — and missing the threshold by a single euro means no Elterngeld at all. If you're near the limit, planning ahead (for example, a tax-class change) can be vital.

Taking leave together: what changed in 2024

For children born on or after April 1, 2024, parents can claim Basiselterngeld at the same time for only one month within the child's first 12 months. The old approach of overlapping several months is generally no longer possible (with exceptions for premature babies, multiple births, or children with disabilities). Many families now use that single overlap month right after birth.

Mutterschaftsgeld counts as Elterngeld months

If you're an employed mother, you receive Mutterschaftsgeld during maternity leave (Mutterschutz). What surprises many expat parents: those first months are counted as the mother's Elterngeld months — you can't pause Elterngeld to take Mutterschaftsgeld first. Your partner, however, can still claim their Elterngeld during this period.

Can expats get Elterngeld?

Yes — if you live in Germany, care for your child yourself, and work no more than 32 hours per week while receiving it. EU/EEA citizens are covered automatically; non-EU parents need a residence permit that allows work. Full eligibility details are in our Elterngeld guide.

Don't forget Kindergeld

Elterngeld replaces lost income; Kindergeld is a separate, flat monthly payment for all families in Germany (residency and visa rules still apply). As of January 2026 it's €259 per month per child — and you should claim both. See our Kindergeld guide.

PaperStork builds you a personalized checklist and timeline based on your family's situation — translating the rules, flagging the deadlines, and showing you exactly what to prepare and when.