Elterngeld Guide for Expats in Germany

Elterngeld (parental allowance) is a German government benefit that partially replaces your income while you take time off to care for your newborn. As an international parent in Germany, you are almost certainly eligible — but the application process is complex, the forms are in German, and mistakes can cost you thousands of euros.

This guide walks you through everything: who qualifies, how much you'll receive, which documents you need, and how to apply — step by step.

What is Elterngeld?

Elterngeld is a federal benefit paid by the German government to parents who reduce their working hours or stop working after the birth of a child. It's designed to help families bridge the income gap during parental leave (Elternzeit).

• Basiselterngeld — 65–67% of your net income (up to €1,800/month) for up to 14 months total between both parents
• ElterngeldPlus — 50% of the Basiselterngeld amount, but paid for up to 28 months — ideal if you return to work part-time
• Partnerschaftsbonus — 4 extra months of ElterngeldPlus if both parents work 24–32 hours/week simultaneously

The minimum Elterngeld is €300/month, even if you had no income before birth. Parents who were not employed receive this minimum amount.

Who is eligible?

You can receive Elterngeld if you meet all of the following:

1. You live in Germany — you must have your primary residence (Hauptwohnsitz) in Germany.
2. You live with your child — the child must live in your household.
3. You care for your child yourself — you are actively raising and caring for the child.
4. You work no more than 32 hours per week — this applies during the months you receive Elterngeld.

Non-EU citizens

If you're from outside the EU/EEA, you need a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) that allows you to work in Germany. This includes:

• Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent settlement permit)
• Blaue Karte EU (EU Blue Card)
• Aufenthaltserlaubnis with work permission (e.g., §18a, §18b, §28 AufenthG)

Tourist visas and some student visas do not qualify. If in doubt, check with your local Elterngeldstelle.

EU/EEA citizens

EU and EEA citizens are eligible as long as they have their Hauptwohnsitz in Germany. No special permit is required — your freedom of movement covers this.

How much Elterngeld will you get?

Elterngeld is based on your average net income in the 12 months before your child's birth (or before the start of Mutterschutz for the birthing parent).

• Income above €1,240/month: you receive 65% of your net income
• Income between €1,000 and €1,240/month: you receive 67% of your net income
• Income below €1,000/month: the replacement rate increases gradually up to 100%
• No income: you receive the minimum of €300/month (Basiselterngeld) or €150/month (ElterngeldPlus)
• Maximum: €1,800/month (Basiselterngeld) or €900/month (ElterngeldPlus)

Siblings bonus: if you have another child under 3 (or two under 6), you receive 10% more (at least €75 extra for Basiselterngeld).

Multiple births: €300 extra per additional child (twins = +€300, triplets = +€600).

How to split Elterngeld between partners

Both parents share a total of 14 months of Basiselterngeld. Each parent must take at least 2 months (the "partner months"). A single parent can claim all 14 months alone.

Common splits:

• 12+2: One parent takes 12 months, the other takes 2 — the most popular option
• 7+7: Both parents take 7 months each — equal split
• Mixed: Combine Basiselterngeld and ElterngeldPlus months for a longer, lower-amount payout

Planning the split carefully can make a significant difference. For example, if one parent earns significantly more, having the higher earner take fewer Basiselterngeld months and switch to ElterngeldPlus can maximize the total benefit.

Required documents

You will need the following when you apply:

1. Elterngeld application form — available from your local Elterngeldstelle or Familienportal.de
2. Birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde) — the original, not a copy
3. Proof of income — pay slips from the last 12 months before birth, or your most recent tax assessment (Steuerbescheid) if self-employed
4. Employer confirmation (Arbeitgeberbescheinigung) — confirming your parental leave dates and any part-time work arrangements
5. ID or passport with current address
6. Residence permit (for non-EU citizens) — copy of your Aufenthaltstitel
7. Maternity benefit confirmation (Mutterschaftsgeldbescheinigung) — from your health insurance, showing the amount of Mutterschaftsgeld you received
8. Health insurance confirmation — proof that your child is insured

How to apply — step by step

Step 1: Determine your Elterngeldstelle

Each Bezirk (district) in your city has its own Elterngeldstelle. In Berlin, this is typically the Jugendamt of your Bezirk. Find yours on berlin.de/jugendamt.

Step 2: Get the application form

Download the form from Familienportal.de or pick it up at your Elterngeldstelle. The form is in German — PaperStork can help you understand each field.

Step 3: Gather your documents

Collect everything listed above. The birth certificate is usually the bottleneck — you can't get it until after birth, and it can take 1–3 weeks depending on your Standesamt.

Step 4: Submit your application

Submit the completed form and all documents to your Elterngeldstelle. You can usually do this by mail or in person.

Step 5: Wait for processing

Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks. You'll receive a written decision (Elterngeldbescheid) with the approved amount and payment schedule. Payments are made monthly, retroactive to the start of your approved Elterngeld period.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying too late — the 3-month retroactivity limit is the single biggest source of lost money. Apply as soon as you have the birth certificate.
• Not optimizing the split — the default 12+2 split is not always optimal. Modeling different scenarios can increase your total Elterngeld by hundreds or thousands of euros.
• Forgetting the Partnerschaftsbonus — if both parents work 24–32 hours/week for 4 months, you get 4 extra months of ElterngeldPlus. Many families don't know this exists.
• Incorrect income reporting — bonuses, overtime, and one-time payments are calculated differently. Get this wrong and your Elterngeld could be lower than expected.
• Missing the Mutterschaftsgeld offset — Mutterschaftsgeld is deducted from Elterngeld for the first 2 months. This is normal but surprises many parents.

Useful links

• Familienportal.de — Official Elterngeld information (German government)
• BMFSFJ — Federal Ministry for Family Affairs
• Berlin Jugendamt — Find your local Elterngeldstelle