Parental Leave
Financial assistance for parents after childbirth.
How to proceed
- 1
Create a parental leave plan
Choose between Basic Parental Leave Benefits or Parental Leave Benefits Plus.
- 2
Submit an application
At the parental allowance office in your area.
- 3
received a notice
Retroactive coverage is available for up to 3 months.
Required documents
- Birth certificateMandatory
- Pay stubs (12 months)MandatoryOften forgotten
- Certificate of Parental LeaveMandatoryOften forgotten
Responsible authority
The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →
Fees
Kostenlos
Processing time
approx. 2 months
Official: max. approx. 3 months
Common mistakes
- • Pay stubs are incomplete
- • Parental leave not reported to the employer in a timely manner
Common reasons for rejection
- • Income limit exceeded
- • Maternity leave periods not reported correctly
You can usually file an objection against a rejection.
The essentials before applying
Who is eligible?
Parents who care for their child themselves and are not employed, or are employed only on a part-time basis.
Income limit
For Parental Allowance Plus: maximum joint income of €175,000 (2024).
Processing time
Nationwide: approx. approx. 2 months
Success rate
approx. 89.0 % (estimate)
Most common mistakes
- •Pay stubs are incomplete
- •Parental leave not reported to the employer in a timely manner
Common reasons for rejection
- •Income limit exceeded
- •Maternity leave periods not reported correctly
Alternatives
- Check related services in the application assistant
- Use social counselling before applying
If rejected
File a written objection within 30 days – with reasons why the decision is wrong and any missing evidence.
Everything about Parental Leave
Related services
Questions & Answers
How much is the parental allowance?▼
65–67% of net income, min. €300, max. €1,800 per month.
Freshness & source
- Maintenance
- Continuously reviewed & updated
- Data quality
- 100 %
Latest content changes
- Elterngeld Plus Fristen
Read more
Handle Parental Leave online
Submit your application directly online – without visiting an office.
Start online applicationParental Leave by city
Regional processing times, responsibilities and specifics.