To apply for Elterngeld in Germany, you’ll need documents that prove your identity, income, and residence – as well as details about your child’s birth and your work situation. This article breaks it down step-by-step and explains what’s different if you’re not a German citizen or if you’re planning to move to Germany soon. You’ll also find free tools like our quizzes that help you check if you’re eligible, calculate your estimated Elterngeld amount, and prepare your full application document – all for free.
Starting Your Elterngeld Journey
Applying for Elterngeld can feel overwhelming – especially if German isn’t your first language or if you’re new to the system. But don’t worry! With a bit of guidance and the right documents, it’s much easier than it looks.
Let’s walk through what you need – and when.
The Must-Have Documents (Checklist)
Here’s a simple table showing what most people need to submit with their Elterngeld application:
| Document | Who Needs It | Why It’s Needed |
|---|---|---|
| 🧾 Birth certificate of your child | Everyone | To prove when your child was born |
| 🪪 ID or passport | Everyone | To confirm your identity |
| 🏠 Meldebescheinigung (registration at a German address) | Everyone living in Germany | To prove you live in Germany |
| 📊 Income proof (e.g. payslips, tax documents) | Employees, self-employed | To calculate your Elterngeld amount |
| 💼 Employer certificate (Elterngeld form section) | Employees | To confirm your employment and leave |
| 🏥 Health insurance certificate | Mostly mothers | To show if you got maternity pay |
| 🛂 Residence permit | Non-German citizens | To show if you’re allowed to work/live in Germany |
| 📄 Bank details (IBAN) | Everyone | So they can pay you Elterngeld |
A Quick Example: Anna and Her Elterngeld Application
Anna is an employed mother, living in Berlin, earning €2,500/month. She changes to tax class III during pregnancy and works full-time up until one month before her due date.
✅ Her Elterngeld documents would include:
- Child’s birth certificate
- Her passport and Meldebescheinigung
- Last 12 payslips before the month of birth
- Employer’s confirmation of her leave
- A certificate from her health insurance showing maternity pay
- Her bank details
Based on her net income (approx. €1,900), she could expect Elterngeld of around €1,235/month.
➡️ You can try this with your own numbers using our free Elterngeld amount quiz.
Special Notes for Foreigners & Future Residents
🛂 If you’re not a German citizen:
You can still apply for Elterngeld if:
- You live in Germany
- You have a residence permit that allows you to work
📌 Residence permits under §§ 18b, 28, 30 or 33 of the AufenthG usually qualify.
🔍 Use our free Elterngeld eligibility quiz to check your status.
🌍 If you’re currently living abroad:
You need to move to Germany before applying. You must:
- Register your address in Germany (Anmeldung)
- Submit proof of your move (e.g. flight ticket, housing contract)
Don’t Miss These: Forms You’ll Need
Elterngeld forms can vary by Bundesland, but they always include:
- The main application form
- A health insurance form (for mothers, to confirm maternity pay)
- A work income certificate from your employer (Verdienstbescheinigung)
- Sometimes a residence permit confirmation form from the Ausländerbehörde
💡 You don’t need to find all of these alone – our free application helper quiz will prepare a customized document with everything you need.
Timing Tip: When to Prepare These Documents
| When | What to Do |
|---|---|
| During pregnancy | Change tax class (if helpful), collect income proof |
| After the birth | Request birth certificate, health insurance letter |
| 1–2 weeks later | Submit full application (Elterngeld can be back-paid!) |
⏱ Remember: Elterngeld can only be applied for after your baby is born – but you can prepare everything in advance!
Free Tools to Make It Easy
On our website, you’ll find these 100% free services:
🔹 Eligibility quiz – Find out if you qualify for Elterngeld
🔹 Amount calculator – Estimate how much you can receive
🔹 Application Guide – Receive a ready-to-print PDF with your full application info
These tools are great whether you’re German or not, employed or self-employed, living in Germany or planning to move soon.
Final Words
Elterngeld is a fantastic support system – and with the right documents, it’s easier to access than you might think. Start early, keep everything in one place, and don’t hesitate to use our free quizzes and resources.
✅ Checklist: Elterngeld – Required Documents (General Guide)
Mandatory for All Applicants:
- Child’s birth certificate
- Valid ID card or passport
- Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate confirming your residence in Germany)
- Bank account information (IBAN)
For Employed Applicants:
- Payslips for the 12 months prior to the child’s birth
- Employer’s certificate confirming employment and parental leave details
- Maternity pay certificate from your health insurance (if applicable)
For Self-Employed Applicants:
- Most recent tax return
- Profit and loss statement (if applicable)
For Non-German Citizens or Foreign Applicants:
- Valid residence permit that allows employment in Germany
- Proof of residence in Germany (e.g., Anmeldung)
- If currently abroad: proof of planned move to Germany (e.g., flight ticket, housing contract)
