Parental Leave & Parental Allowance in Germany – What Expats Need to Know

Germany is known for being family-friendly – and two of the biggest benefits are parental leave (Elternzeit) and parental allowance (Elterngeld). These programs allow new parents to care for their child without losing financial stability. But for Expats, understanding how the system works can be challenging.

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1. What is parental leave (Elternzeit)?

Parental leave is a legal right for employees to take unpaid time off work to care for their child. It applies to:

✔️ Employees on both permanent and fixed-term contracts
✔️ Fathers and mothers – married or not
✔️ Up to 3 years per child, with 24 months transferable until the child turns 8

📌 You must inform your employer at least 7 weeks in advance in writing.

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2. What is parental allowance (Elterngeld)?

Parental allowance is a government payment that compensates parents who reduce or stop working to care for their child. There are three main options:

✔️ Basic Elterngeld: up to 12 months (or 14 with shared leave)
✔️ ElterngeldPlus: lower monthly payments for a longer period
✔️ Partnership Bonus: extra months if both parents work part-time

💶 The amount is around 65–67% of your lost net income, with a minimum of €300 and a maximum of €1,800 per month.

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3. Who is eligible?

✔️ Expats are usually eligible for both Elterngeld and Elternzeit if they:

• Live in Germany
• Share a household with the child
• Personally care for the child
• Work no more than 32 hours per week

📌 Your citizenship doesn’t matter, as long as you have a valid residence permit and are registered in the social system.

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4. How do you apply?

✔️ Parental leave is requested from your employer
✔️ Parental allowance is applied for at the local Elterngeld office (usually part of the youth welfare office)
✔️ You’ll need:

• Child’s birth certificate
• Income statements
• Tax identification numbers
• Bank account details

💡 Tip: Get support early from family centers or advice services – especially if your German is limited.

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Conclusion

Germany’s parental benefits provide a strong safety net for families – and Expats are included. If you plan ahead and apply in time, you can enjoy more time with your child and greater financial stability during those precious early months.