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Apply for parental allowance

Apply for parental allowance online

  • Service description

    Parental allowance is a benefit for parents of babies and young children. It replaces part of the income you lose if you wish to be there for your child after the birth and take a break from or reduce your working hours. Parental allowance is also available to parents who had no income at all before the birth.

    There are three types of parental allowance:

    • Basic parental allowance
    • Parental Allowance Plus
    • Partnership bonus

    ElterngeldPlus and the Partnership Bonus provide extra support if you and your partner share the balance between work and family life after the birth of your child.

    Even if you are a single parent, you can apply for the various options. Parental allowance is also available for adopted children and children in foster care.

    As parents, you can decide for yourselves who will claim the parental allowance and for how long. In the application, you must specify the months of your child’s life for which you wish to claim the parental allowance, and which type of parental allowance you are choosing.

    The amount of parental allowance is calculated on an individual basis. The calculation is based on the income you had before the birth and which you no longer receive after the birth. If you had no income at all before the birth, or if you do not lose any income after the birth, you will receive a minimum amount. For basic parental allowance, this is at least €300.00 per month. For Parental Allowance Plus, it is at least €150.00 per month.

    Tip: To help with planning and calculations, you can use the parental allowance calculator provided by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs.

  • Who should I contact?

    Regional Parental Allowance Offices

  • Prerequisites

    You can receive parental allowance if you meet the following criteria:

    • You look after and bring up your child yourself.
    • You are resident in Germany or usually live here.
    • You live with your child in the same household.
    • They are either not in employment at all or, as a rule, work no more than 32 hours a week.
      • There are several special circumstances regarding the 32-hour-per-week limit, for example in the case of holiday leave, or if you are studying or undergoing vocational training.
    • For children born up to 31 March 2024: your taxable income did not exceed €250,000. For couples, the limit is generally €300,000.
    • For children born on or after 1 April 2024: your taxable income did not exceed EUR 200,000. This limit applies to both single parents and couples.
    • For births on or after 1 April 2025: your taxable income did not exceed EUR 175,000. This limit applies to both single parents and couples.

  • Which documents are required?

    • Application form
    • The child’s birth certificate (or, in exceptional cases, another suitable document)

    Further documents if necessary:

    • Identity card or residence permit
    • Proof of recognition or establishment of paternity
    • Evidence of income from employment during the assessment period
    • Declaration of expected earned income in the reference period
    • Certificate from the health insurance company regarding maternity benefit and certificate from the employer regarding the maternity benefit subsidy
    • Other evidence of income in the reference period

    The type and scope of the documents required may vary depending on your individual circumstances. There may also be differences between the various parental benefit offices. You should therefore check your application documents for further guidance. If you have any questions, please contact your local parental benefit office.

  • What fees are incurred?

    There are no costs.

  • What deadlines do I have to observe?

    You can only apply for parental allowance after the birth.

    It is best to submit your application within the first three months of your child’s life, as parental allowance is paid retroactively for a maximum of three months.

  • Processing time

    You can obtain further information from the relevant parental allowance office.

  • Legal basis

  • Legal remedy

    • Appeal
      Further information on how to lodge an appeal can be found in your parental allowance decision.
    • Action before the Social Security Court

  • What else should I know?

    If you have any complaints that the Parental Allowance Office has been unable to resolve, you can contact the relevant supervisory authority in your federal state.

  • Author

    Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ)

    Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal

  • Applications / Forms


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