Elterngeld berechnen

Here you will find information on how parental allowance is calculated.

If you have applied for parental allowance, the amount of the parental allowance will be calculated by the responsible parental allowance office.

The parental allowance is based on the average monthly net income available to the parent providing care in the relevant assessment period before the birth. The relevant assessment period for non-self-employed persons is the last 12 months before the birth, for self-employed persons (and mixed income) the last assessment period (calendar year) before the birth.

The following months are not taken into account

• with receipt of maternity benefit,
• with receipt of parental allowance (without taking into account periods of extended parental allowance payment for births up to 30.06.2015)
• with receipt of ElterngeldPlus for an older child up to and including the child's 14th month of life
• during which income is reduced due to pregnancy-related illness or military or civilian service obligations.

Instead of these months, months further back are taken as a basis in the case of non-self-employed persons. In the case of self-employed persons and in the case of mixed income, the previous tax assessment period (or the profit determination periods on which it is based) is decisive upon application.

A maximum of EUR 2,770 is taken into account as the average monthly net income before the birth of your child.

To determine the relevant net income, the following is required as proof of income:

• For non-self-employed persons: Wage or salary statement
• for self-employed persons: tax assessment notice

Other payments (especially one-time payments) and tax-free income are not considered as income.

Deductions for taxes and social security contributions are calculated on a flat-rate basis. In addition, a lump sum of EUR 83.33 is deducted each month for work-related expenses.

One-time payments and tax-free income are not considered as income.

Amount of the basic parental allowance:

Eligible persons receive a minimum of EUR 300.00 and a maximum of EUR 1,800.

The income foregone is replaced as follows for an average monthly net income before the birth:

• From EUR 1,240 and above at 65 percent,
• from EUR 1,220 at 66 percent, and
• between EUR 1,000 and EUR 1,200 at 67 percent.

There is a higher percentage for low-income earners. If the monthly income is less than EUR 1,000.00, the percentage increases by 0.1 percent for every EUR 2.00 earned.

Amount of ElterngeldPlus:

The amount of ElterngeldPlus is calculated in the same way as the basic parental allowance.

You will receive parental allowance for twice as long, but at most half of the full basic parental allowance.

Sibling bonus and multiple child supplement:

You receive a sibling bonus in addition to the calculated parental allowance if and as long as an older sibling under age three or two older siblings under age six live in the household with you. The sibling bonus amounts to 10% of the parental allowance to which you are entitled, at least EUR 75.00 per month if you receive basic parental allowance, and at least EUR 37.50 per month if you receive ElterngeldPlus.

In the case of multiple births, the parental allowance is increased by EUR 300.00 for each additional multiple child in the case of basic parental allowance (by EUR 150.00 in the case of ElterngeldPlus).

• Application form
• Birth certificate or birth certificate for "parental benefit" / "social purposes
• Proof of income
• Certificate of receipt of maternity benefit
• Certificate of employer's allowance
• Confirmation of working hours during the period of receiving parental allowance

There are no fees to pay.

Information on the processing time can be obtained from the responsible parental allowance office.

Parental allowance can be paid retroactively for a maximum of three months before the start of the month of life in which the application was received.

The federal states are responsible for enforcing the Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act (Bundeselterngeld- und Elternzeitgesetz, BEEG). In the event of complaints in parental allowance matters that the parental allowance office is unable to remedy, citizens can contact the supervisory authority of the respective federal state directly.

The family portal of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth provides information on all financial benefits for families, services and on educational and advisory services for families.

An appeal against the parental allowance decision can be lodged with the parental allowance office within 1 month. The social courts are responsible for taking legal action. Pursuant to Section 13 (2) of the Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act (Bundeselterngeld- und Elternzeitgesetz, BEEG), the objection and the action for annulment do not have a suspensive effect.

• Parental allowance calculation
• If you have applied for parental allowance, the amount of parental allowance will be calculated by the responsible parental allowance office.
• The parental allowance is based on the average monthly net income available to the parent providing care in the relevant assessment period before the birth. The relevant assessment period for non-self-employed persons is the last 12 months before the birth, for self-employed persons (and mixed income) the last assessment period (calendar year) before the birth.
• The following months are not taken into account
  • with receipt of maternity benefit,
  • with receipt of parental allowance (without taking into account periods of extended parental allowance payment for births up to 30.06.2015)
  • with receipt of ElterngeldPlus for an older child up to and including the child's 14th month of life
  • during which income is reduced due to pregnancy-related illness or military or civilian service obligations.
• Instead of these months, months further back are taken as a basis in the case of non-self-employed persons. In the case of self-employed persons and in the case of mixed income, the previous tax assessment period (or the profit determination periods on which this is based) is decisive upon application.
• A maximum of EUR 2,770 is taken into account as the average monthly net income before the birth of your child.
• Contact: You can find the parental allowance office responsible for you in your district or city (mostly youth welfare offices or social welfare offices).

You can find the parental allowance office responsible for you in your district or city (mostly youth welfare offices or social welfare offices).