🎯 Basic Elterngeld:
Get up to 12–14 months of monthly payments (up to €1,800) – full power, short run. Perfect if you’re not working at all.

⏩ ElterngeldPlus:
Stretch your money over double the time (up to 28 months) – half the amount, twice the months. Great if you’re working part-time.

🎯 Basic Elterngeld:
Get up to 12–14 months of monthly payments (up to €1,800) – full power, short run. Perfect if you’re not working at all.

⏩ ElterngeldPlus:
Stretch your money over double the time (up to 28 months) – half the amount, twice the months. Great if you’re working part-time.

🔀 Combo:
Mix both like a pro! Use Basic Elterngeld at first, then switch to ElterngeldPlus. Flexibility level: 💯

✅ Working during Elterngeld: What happens if you go over 32 hours/week?

• If you work more than 32 hours/week in any given month, you won’t receive Elterngeld for that month.

• But: Your entitlement isn’t lost permanently. If you reduce your hours again (below 32/week), you can continue receiving Elterngeld afterwards.

• You can also pause your Elterngeld months – for example, if you want to work full-time for a while or take a break.

• Elterngeld months can usually be spread out over time, as long as they fall within the general entitlement window (usually the first 14 months after birth).

💡 Example:

You receive ElterngeldPlus for 8 months,
→ then work full-time for 2 months (no Elterngeld),
→ then reduce your hours again,
→ you can continue using your remaining ElterngeldPlus months.

Only I will stay home – less than 12 months

🍼 “Quick cuddle mission!”
You’ll take care of your baby solo and return to work before the typical 12-month mark.

📉 Important: Elterngeld covers up to 12 months for one parent — if you take less, you lose the months you didn’t use. They don’t transfer to later, and your total Elterngeld payout will be lower.

💡 Might make sense if: You’re switching to ElterngeldPlus later, or want a short break.

Only I will stay home – 12 months

📅 “A full year of baby bonding!”
You’re doing the standard solo parent version: 12 months at home, fully covered.
📊 This is the maximum Basiselterngeld for one parent alone. No bonus months unless your partner also takes time off.
💡 Good choice if: your partner can’t or won’t take months, or if you want max security from solo Elterngeld.

Only I will stay home – 14 months

🧸 “Stretching it out – but with teamwork!”
You plan to stay home for 14 months — but this only works if your partner takes at least 2 months, even if just officially.

📈 You get 12 months + 2 partner months = 14 months total, which means the maximum Basiselterngeld period.

💡 Strategy tip: Even if your partner only takes 2 short months, it unlocks 2 full months for you!

Only I will stay home – more than 14 months

🏡 “Long stay, long love – but with limited support!”
You plan to stay home longer than the Elterngeld system covers.
📉 Elterngeld stops after 12 (or 14) months unless you use ElterngeldPlus or the Partnership Bonus. Months beyond that are unpaid.
💡 Important: Plan carefully! You may need savings, part-time work, or Bürgergeld to cover the extra months.

We will share the months – total less than 12 months

⏱️ “Fast but flexible duo!”
Both parents take time off, but together it adds up to less than 12 months.
📉 You’ll receive less total Elterngeld than you’re entitled to. The remaining months expire if not used.
💡 Good choice if: you plan to return to work early or have other income support.

We will share the months – total 12 months

👐 “Equal-ish care, standard plan!”
You’re sharing the 12 months between you. Each parent gets some months off.
📊 You use the full standard Elterngeld budget, but you miss out on the 2 bonus months you could unlock if one person took at least 2 months more.
💡 Works well if: both want shorter breaks or work part-time outside ElterngeldPlus.

We will share the months – total 14 months (using partner months)

🎯 “The Elterngeld dream team!”
You and your partner divide the months — and you unlock the 2 extra months by both participating.
📈 This is the maximum Basiselterngeld combo: 12 months + 2 partner bonus months = 14 months total Elterngeld.
💡 Smart choice if: you want to stretch time at home, and you both want to be involved.

We will share and both work part-time for 2–4 months (Partnership Bonus)

🔄 “Parenting and teamwork at pro level!”
You both work 24–32 hours/week at the same time for 2–4 months. That unlocks bonus months — extra ElterngeldPlus for each of you!
📊 This gives you 4 extra ElterngeldPlus months (2 each). You’ll earn less per month, but Elterngeld lasts longer.
💡 Best for: Couples who want to work part-time together while staying financially stable.

I’m not sure yet

🤔 “Still exploring? Totally fine!”
Not everyone has a plan in the first weeks or months — Elterngeld is flexible, and you can adjust later.
📊 Elterngeld can be structured in many ways:

Use Basiselterngeld for fewer, higher monthly payments.

Use ElterngeldPlus to stretch payments (with lower monthly amounts).

Mix both, or add the Partnership Bonus if you both work part-time.
💡 What helps you decide:

Do you want more money per month or a longer period of support?

Will your partner also take time off or work part-time?

What’s your financial buffer or backup plan?

Since you’re entitled to maternity benefits, your Elterngeld only starts after the maternity protection period (usually 8 weeks after birth). During that time, you’ll receive your full net salary – paid by your health insurance and employer – but no Elterngeld.

Elterngeld begins once the maternity benefit period ends. Overall, you receive two months less Elterngeld, but thanks to the maternity benefits, you actually get more money in the first two months after the birth.

🇩🇪 German citizen

✅ As a German citizen, you are automatically eligible for Elterngeld if you live in Germany.

🇪🇺 EU/EEA/Swiss citizen

✅ As an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, you’re eligible for Elterngeld if you live in Germany and either work, are self-employed, or have a right of residence (e.g. as a family member).

🛂 Residence permit with work permission

✅ With a residence permit that allows employment, you are eligible for Elterngeld.
Make sure your permit includes a statement like “Erwerbstätigkeit gestattet” or similar wording.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family reunification

✅ You are eligible for Elterngeld if your family reunification residence permit includes permission to work — or if your spouse is working or receiving Elterngeld themselves.

🛑 Asylum seeker or tolerated person (Duldung / Aufenthaltsgestattung)

⚠️ You may be eligible if you’ve been living legally or tolerably in Germany for at least 15 months.
This includes holders of a Duldung or an Aufenthaltsgestattung once that period is met.

I am not sure

Don’t worry
If you have any form of legal residence in Germany, there’s a good chance you’re eligible.
Check your residence title or permit for phrases like “Erwerbstätigkeit erlaubt” or “Familiennachzug”.

You can try the “Eligibility Quiz” to find out if you are eligible for Elterngel.