Elterngeld (Parental Benefit Application)
Apply for state parental allowance (65% to 67% of prior net earnings, up to 1,800 EUR per month) after your child is born.
Configure your citizenship, housing, and job status to get a prioritized timeline.
Elterngeld only pays up to 3 months in arrears. If you submit your application when your baby is 5 months old, you permanently lose the first 2 months of payments. Some temporary residence permits also do not qualify unless specific work requirements are met.
STEP-BY-STEP ACTION PROTOCOL (4 STEPS)
- 1
Get the official birth certificate marked 'für Elterngeld' from the Standesamt.
- 2
Gather your last 12 monthly pay slips before the birth.
- 3
Submit your application online or by post to your local Elterngeldstelle within 3 months.
- 4
Coordinate parental leave months (Basiselterngeld vs ElterngeldPlus) between both parents.
OFFICIAL PORTALS & LEGAL REFERENCES
Frequently Asked Questions
How much monthly support does German parental allowance (Elterngeld) provide?[FAQ]
Basic Elterngeld replaces roughly 65% to 67% of prior average net income, ranging from a minimum of 300 EUR to a maximum of 1,800 EUR monthly for up to 14 months shared between parents.
What is the critical statutory deadline for Elterngeld applications?[FAQ]
Under § 5 Abs. 1 BEEG, payments are only issued retroactively for up to 3 calendar months preceding the application date. Late filings result in permanent forfeiture of prior months.