Elterngeld Calculator
Estimate monthly Basiselterngeld and ElterngeldPlus from your gross income, in English. 2026 rules, sibling bonus, and the multiple-birth supplement. It runs in your browser; nothing you type is sent anywhere.
Estimated Elterngeld-Nettoestimate
€1,989.44
from €3,000.00 gross
Basiselterngeld
€1,293.14
full amount, up to 14 months
ElterngeldPlus
€646.57
half amount, double the months
Replacement rate applied: 65.0% of €1,989.44.
This is an estimate, not a binding figure. The exact amount depends on the official progressive tax tables and individual factors, and is set by your Elterngeldstelle. Everything is calculated in your browser — nothing you enter is sent anywhere.
How this calculator works
Elterngeld replaces a share of the income you lose while you care for a newborn. This tool estimates that payment using the same logic the German authorities apply under the Federal Parental Allowance Act (Bundeselterngeld- und Elternzeitgesetz, BEEG §§ 2–4).
It starts from a standardized net, not your payslip. Elterngeld is calculated from an “Elterngeld-Netto” — a notional net for the 12 months before birth (before Mutterschutz, for the birthing parent; self-employed parents use profit from the last completed tax year). We take your gross income, subtract a flat work-expense allowance of €102.50 per month (€1,230 per year), subtract a standardized income tax, and subtract social-insurance lump sums of up to 21% (9% health and care, 10% pension, 2% unemployment — each only if you actually pay into it). That's why the result rarely matches the net on your payslip.
A sliding replacement rate. For an Elterngeld-Netto of €1,240 or more you receive 65%. Between €1,000 and €1,200 you receive 67%. Between €1,200 and €1,240 the rate slides from 67% down to 65%, and below €1,000 it rises above 67% — up to a maximum of 100% — to protect lower earners. We then apply the limits (Basiselterngeld €300–€1,800 per month; ElterngeldPlus €150–€900) and add any Geschwisterbonus or Mehrlingszuschlag you qualify for.
This is an estimate, not a decision. The exact figure depends on the official progressive tax tables and on individual factors — tax class (Steuerklasse), church membership, one-off payments, and more. The legally binding amount comes only from the official familienportal.de Elterngeldrechner and, ultimately, your Elterngeldstelle.
Your data stays with you. The calculation runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or to any server.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this Elterngeld calculator?
A close estimate, not a binding figure. The official amount uses progressive German tax tables plus personal details this tool skips — tax class (Steuerklasse), church membership, one-off payments. Use it to plan and compare scenarios. Confirm the legally binding number with the official familienportal.de Elterngeldrechner and your Elterngeldstelle.
What is Elterngeld-Netto and why isn't it my normal net salary?
Elterngeld-Netto is a standardized net invented for the Elterngeld calculation — not the net on your payslip. The office starts from your gross income, then subtracts a flat work-expense allowance of €102.50 per month (€1,230 per year), a standardized income tax, and social-insurance lump sums of up to 21% (9% health and care, 10% pension, 2% unemployment). Those are fixed lump sums, not your real deductions, so Elterngeld-Netto usually differs from take-home pay.
How much Elterngeld will I get?
Elterngeld replaces a percentage of your average monthly Elterngeld-Netto from the 12 months before birth. If that net is €1,240 or more you receive 65%; between €1,000 and €1,200 you receive 67%; between €1,200 and €1,240 the rate slides gradually from 67% down to 65%; and below €1,000 it rises above 67%, up to a maximum of 100%. Basiselterngeld is capped at a minimum of €300 and a maximum of €1,800 per month.
What's the difference between Basiselterngeld and ElterngeldPlus?
Basiselterngeld pays the full monthly amount (€300 to €1,800) and is meant for a clear break from work. ElterngeldPlus pays half (€150 to €900) for twice as many months — useful if you work part-time, since one Basiselterngeld month equals two ElterngeldPlus months. You can combine the two and add the Partnerschaftsbonus — 2 to 4 extra ElterngeldPlus months each — if both parents work 24 to 32 hours per week at the same time.
Can I get Elterngeld as a non-EU citizen or foreigner?
Yes. Eligibility depends on residence status, not nationality. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens living in Germany qualify through freedom of movement with no special permit. Non-EU citizens qualify with a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) that allows work in Germany — such as a Niederlassungserlaubnis, an EU Blue Card, or an Aufenthaltserlaubnis with work permission; tourist visas and some student visas do not qualify. If you're unsure, ask your Elterngeldstelle.
How does the sibling bonus (Geschwisterbonus) work?
The Geschwisterbonus adds 10% to your Elterngeld — at least €75 per month for Basiselterngeld, or €37.50 for ElterngeldPlus. You qualify if you have one other child under the age of 3, two other children under 6, or a child with a disability under 14. The bonus sits on top of the regular monthly amount for as long as you meet the condition.
Is there an income limit for Elterngeld?
Yes. For births from April 2025 onward, parents whose taxable income (zu versteuerndes Einkommen) exceeds €175,000 receive no Elterngeld at all. That limit is the couple's combined taxable income, or a single parent's. Taxable income, not gross salary — after allowances and deductions it's typically lower than what you earn on paper.
Does Mutterschaftsgeld reduce my Elterngeld?
Yes. Maternity benefit (Mutterschaftsgeld) and any employer top-up are offset against Elterngeld in the months they cover, usually the first one to two months after birth. In practice this often reduces the birthing parent's Elterngeld to €0 during those months. Elterngeld typically starts paying once the Mutterschaftsgeld period ends.
Related guides
- Elterngeld Guide for Expats in Germany — who qualifies, documents, the 3-month retroactivity trap, and how to file.
- Basiselterngeld vs ElterngeldPlus — which one should you choose? — side-by-side math, and the case for working part-time.
- Elterngeld for Self-Employed Parents in Germany — how the profit-based, last-tax-year rule changes the number.
The 3-month clock is the one that costs money
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