Parental allowance

Parental allowance (Elterngeld)
Parental allowance ensures a good start in the life of the new family member after birth. Parents can choose to receive the original parental allowance (basic parental allowance) or parental allowance plus (ElterngeldPlus), or a combination of the two, if the child was born after 01 July 2015.

Basic parental allowance (Basiselterngeld)
Basic parental allowance is paid out to mothers and fathers for a maximum of 14 months; the parents can freely divide up the entitled time amongst themselves. One parent can take a minimum of two and a maximum of 12 months of parental leave. Single parents who receive the parental allowance for lost income during the parental leave period are entitled to the full 14 months of parental allowance.

Parental allowance plus (ElterngeldPlus)
Parental allowance plus is for mothers and fathers who want to work part time during the parental leave period. A single parental allowance month becomes two parental allowance plus months. If the mother and father decide to work simultaneously for four months between 25 and 30 hours per week, using the remaining time to spend with their new baby, they are entitled to an additional parental allowance bonus in the amount of four additional parental allowance plus (ElterngeldPlus) months per parent.