Elterngeld: getting paid for the baby year
Parental allowance: 65-67% of prior net income (€300-1,800/month), 12+2 partner months, ElterngeldPlus for part-timers, the income cap and expat eligibility.
Last updated: July 13, 2026
How much Elterngeld do parents get?
Elterngeld replaces 65-67% of your average net income from the 12 months before birth, between €300 and €1,800 per month, for 12 months - 14 if both parents take at least 2. ElterngeldPlus halves the monthly amount but doubles the duration and combines with part-time work. Expats with work-allowing residence permits qualify like Germans.
What this guide covers
The three flavors
| Variant | Pays | For |
|---|---|---|
| Basiselterngeld | 65-67% net, €300-1,800/mo, months 1-14 | The default full-pause months |
| ElterngeldPlus | Half the Basis rate, twice as long | Part-time returners (up to 32h/week) - often nets MORE total when working |
| Partnerschaftsbonus | 2-4 extra Plus months each | Both parents simultaneously 24-32h |
Mix freely: classic pattern = mother 12 Basis, father 2 Basis ("Partnermonate"), then Plus stretches for the return-to-work glide.
The numbers that decide your plan
- Calculation base: your average NET the 12 months pre-birth (pre-birth Steuerklasse optimization is a real, legal lever - switch the birthing parent to III early in pregnancy ⚠️ 7-month rule, see tax classes guide)
- Income cap: household taxable income above €175,000 ⚠️ VERIFY current cap = NO Elterngeld at all (the cap dropped repeatedly - check!)
- Self-employed: base = last tax assessment's profit; plan invoice timing
- Mutterschaftsgeld (maternity pay, 6+8 weeks around birth) offsets against Elterngeld months
Expat eligibility and edge cases
Residence permit allowing work (Blue Card, skilled, PR, EU) = eligible, even if you weren't employed (minimum €300/month). BOTH parents' permits matter for partner months. Income earned abroad pre-move generally doesn't count into the base - arriving pregnant means low/minimum Elterngeld: factor it.
Applying
After birth (not before), at your state's Elterngeldstelle - increasingly online (ElterngeldDigital). Documents: birth certificate (the hospital/Standesamt chain takes weeks - guide), both IDs/permits, income proofs, employer confirmation of leave (Elternzeit guide is the job-protection twin of this money guide). Processing 4-12 weeks, backdated max 3 months.
Frequently asked questions
Elterngeld vs Elternzeit?
Elternzeit = the job-protected leave (up to 3 years, guide). Elterngeld = the money (12-14 months). Different applications, different rules.
Can we both stay home together?
Yes - burn months in parallel (2 joint months = 2 from the pot each).
Taxes on Elterngeld?
Tax-free BUT Progressionsvorbehalt raises the rate on the working partner's income - a mandatory tax return follows (guide) and a Nachzahlung surprise is common: reserve for it.
Freelancer during Elterngeld?
Up to 32h/week allowed; income reduces the payout proportionally (Plus handles this best).
Related guides
Keep going: these guides continue where this one ends.
Kindergeld: Germany's €259 child benefit for expat families
Child benefit for expats: €259 monthly per child, who qualifies (work permits yes, students conditional), Familienkasse application, EU-abro
Elternzeit: Germany's three-year parental leave right
Parental leave rights: up to 3 years per parent with job protection, the 7-week notice rule, part-time return rights and how Elternzeit pair
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