Applying for Elterngeld (Parental Allowance) in Germany

Researched from official sources · May 12, 2026

Applying for Elterngeld (Parental Allowance) in Germany

Estimated time

Online application through ElterngeldDigital typically 60–90 minutes once Geburtsurkunde, income proofs, and employer attestations are in hand

Cost

€0

What You Need

Tap to check off items as you gather them

Additional Items

  • Personalausweis or Reisepass — applicant's identity document
  • Aufenthaltstitel (non-EU residents) — qualifying permit per § 1 (7) BEEG, e.g. Niederlassungserlaubnis, Daueraufenthalt-EU, Blaue Karte EU, ICT-Karte, Aufenthaltsdokument GB, Beschäftigungsduldung
  • IBAN of a bank account in the applicant's name (SEPA area)
  • Anmeldebestätigung — proof of registered residence for the child's place of residence
  • Second parent's signature on the joint application, where the other parent is also entitled (§ 7 (3) BEEG)

Step-by-Step

  1. 1

    Register the birth and collect the Geburtsurkunde

    1. Notify the Standesamt of the place of birth — the hospital usually files the initial Geburtsanzeige
    2. Request the Geburtsurkunde copy marked Verwendungszweck: Elterngeld — this is the version Elterngeldstellen require
    3. Order a second copy at the same time if you also need to apply for Kindergeld or other federal benefits

    ⚠️ Watch out: Without a Geburtsurkunde Elterngeldstellen cannot finalise the Bescheid. If the Standesamt is backlogged, request a Vorab-Bescheinigung über die Geburt as a stop-gap so you can still file the Antrag within the first three Lebensmonate.

  2. 2

    Identify the competent Elterngeldstelle

    1. Use the Beratung vor Ort postcode finder on familienportal.de — it maps the child's place of residence to the responsible Elterngeldstelle
    2. Note that the Elterngeldstelle's name varies by Bundesland — typically Jugendamt, Landesamt für Soziales, or a similar district-level body
    3. Confirm the office's preferred channel: ElterngeldDigital, a Land-run portal, or paper

    💡 Tip: The competent Elterngeldstelle is determined by the child's place of residence, not the place of birth — relevant where the parents have moved between birth registration and applying.

  3. 3

    Gather income proofs and employer attestations

    1. Employees: payslips for the 12 calendar months before the month maternity protection begins (mothers) or before the birth (fathers)
    2. Self-employed: most recently issued Steuerbescheid from the Finanzamt
    3. Krankenkasse attestation of Mutterschaftsgeld and employer attestation of any Zuschuss zum Mutterschaftsgeld
    4. Employer attestation of working hours during the Elterngeld claim period (or self-declaration for self-employed)
    5. Steuerbescheid for the calendar year before the birth — for the income-ceiling check (births from 1 April 2024)

    💡 Tip: Per the Familienportal, your employer or service authority is obliged to issue the attestations you need — 'Ihr Arbeitgeber oder Dienstherr ist verpflichtet, Ihnen die benötigten Unterlagen auszustellen.' Request them in writing as soon as the birth is registered.

  4. 4

    File the Antrag auf Elterngeld

    1. ElterngeldDigital: complete the digital Antrag — the assistant explains Fachbegriffe, prefills your details and validates entries
    2. Land-run portal or paper: download the Formular Ihres Bundeslandes from the Elterngeldstelle, Gemeinde-Verwaltung, Krankenkasse or hospital Geburten-Station
    3. Specify the Lebensmonate for which you claim Basiselterngeld, ElterngeldPlus or Partnerschaftsbonus (§ 7 (1) BEEG)
    4. Where the other parent is also entitled, both parents sign the application (§ 7 (3) BEEG)

    ⚠️ Watch out: Per the Familienportal: «Den Antrag sollten Sie gleich nach der Geburt und innerhalb der ersten 3 Lebensmonate Ihres Kindes stellen. Denn Elterngeld wird maximal für 3 Lebensmonate rückwirkend gezahlt.» Filing after the third Lebensmonat is still accepted, but back-payment is capped at the three Lebensmonate before the month the Elterngeldstelle receives your Antrag — earlier months are lost.

    Familienportal — Wie kann ich Elterngeld beantragen? (familienportal.de ↗)
  5. 5

    Elterngeldstelle assessment and Bescheid

    1. The Elterngeldstelle issues a written Bescheid setting out variant, Lebensmonate covered, monthly amount, and payment schedule
    2. Where the income-ceiling status is not yet clear (e.g. Steuerbescheid pending), the Bescheid may be issued vorläufig (provisionally) and reconciled later
    3. Payment runs in Lebensmonate counted from the birth date (e.g. child born 15 February → Lebensmonat 1 is 15 February – 14 March), not in calendar months

    💡 Tip: Per the Familienportal, processing time varies by Bundesland and Elterngeldstelle and is not federally enumerated. Keep proof of submission (digital receipt or Einschreiben slip) — you will need it if you escalate.

  6. 6

    Manage mid-claim changes or challenge the Bescheid

    1. Future Lebensmonate: amend the chosen variant or month-split in writing at any time before the end of the claim window
    2. Past months: only ElterngeldPlus → Basiselterngeld retro-switch is freely permitted (§ 7 (2) BEEG); other retro-changes need a besonderer Härtefall
    3. Widerspruch: file in writing with the issuing Elterngeldstelle within one month of receiving the Bescheid
    4. Persistent non-response: escalate to the Aufsichtsbehörde of your Bundesland (addresses on the BMBFSFJ portal)

    ⚠️ Watch out: Per the Familienportal, Widerspruch and Klage have no suspensive effect — the Bescheid remains operative pending review. If your concern is the calculated amount and you cannot wait, request a vorläufige Auszahlung in parallel with the Widerspruch.

Costs

Item Amount Payment Notes
Antrag auf Elterngeld €0 N/A Per the BEEG, the application is free; no Antragsgebühr, no charge for the Bescheid, and no charge for digital filing via ElterngeldDigital.
Geburtsurkunde — Standesamt issue marked Verwendungszweck: Elterngeld €0 in-person or postal The fee is set at Bundesland or municipality level and varies — the Elterngeld-purpose copy is commonly issued without a fee. Confirm at the issuing Standesamt before ordering further copies.
Mindestbetrag — Basiselterngeld €300 monthly payout Federal statutory minimum under § 2 BEEG. Paid where pre-birth income is zero or below the calculation threshold.
Höchstbetrag — Basiselterngeld €1,800 monthly payout Federal statutory maximum under § 2 BEEG. Pre-birth income considered for the calculation is capped at 2.770 Euro per month.
Mindestbetrag — ElterngeldPlus €150 monthly payout Half of the Basiselterngeld Mindestbetrag, capped at the Deckelungsbetrag per § 4a BEEG.
Höchstbetrag — ElterngeldPlus €900 monthly payout Half of the Basiselterngeld Höchstbetrag, capped at the Deckelungsbetrag per § 4a BEEG.
Partnerschaftsbonus — per parent €900 monthly payout (range 150–900) Per § 4b BEEG, each parent receives between 150 and 900 Euro/month for 2, 3 or 4 consecutive months, provided both parents work 24–32 Wochenstunden in parallel.
Antrag auf Elterngeld €0
Payment:
N/A
Notes:
Per the BEEG, the application is free; no Antragsgebühr, no charge for the Bescheid, and no charge for digital filing via ElterngeldDigital.
Geburtsurkunde — Standesamt issue marked Verwendungszweck: Elterngeld €0
Payment:
in-person or postal
Notes:
The fee is set at Bundesland or municipality level and varies — the Elterngeld-purpose copy is commonly issued without a fee. Confirm at the issuing Standesamt before ordering further copies.
Mindestbetrag — Basiselterngeld €300
Payment:
monthly payout
Notes:
Federal statutory minimum under § 2 BEEG. Paid where pre-birth income is zero or below the calculation threshold.
Höchstbetrag — Basiselterngeld €1,800
Payment:
monthly payout
Notes:
Federal statutory maximum under § 2 BEEG. Pre-birth income considered for the calculation is capped at 2.770 Euro per month.
Mindestbetrag — ElterngeldPlus €150
Payment:
monthly payout
Notes:
Half of the Basiselterngeld Mindestbetrag, capped at the Deckelungsbetrag per § 4a BEEG.
Höchstbetrag — ElterngeldPlus €900
Payment:
monthly payout
Notes:
Half of the Basiselterngeld Höchstbetrag, capped at the Deckelungsbetrag per § 4a BEEG.
Partnerschaftsbonus — per parent €900
Payment:
monthly payout (range 150–900)
Notes:
Per § 4b BEEG, each parent receives between 150 and 900 Euro/month for 2, 3 or 4 consecutive months, provided both parents work 24–32 Wochenstunden in parallel.
Total: €4,050

FAQ

General

When can I apply, and how late is too late?

Per the Familienportal and § 7 (1) BEEG, you apply in writing after the birth. Back-payment is capped at 3 Lebensmonate, so each month of delay beyond the first three months of the child's life loses irrecoverable Elterngeld. Late applications are still accepted — they are simply paid only from the three Lebensmonate before the month of receipt.

How much will I receive?

Per § 2 BEEG and the Familienportal, Basiselterngeld is 300–1.800 Euro/month at a headline rate of 65 % of the pre-birth Netto-Einkommen lost after the birth, with the pre-birth income considered capped at 2.770 Euro/month. ElterngeldPlus is 150–900 Euro/month, capped at the Deckelungsbetrag (half the notional zero-income Basiselterngeld). Partnerschaftsbonus runs at the ElterngeldPlus rate, 150–900 Euro/month per parent. Use the Elterngeldrechner on familienportal.de for an indicative estimate.

How long can I receive Elterngeld?

Per § 4 BEEG, Basiselterngeld runs within the first 14 Lebensmonate of the child — up to 12 monthly amounts per parent, combined 14 months as Partnermonate where both parents claim and at least one has reduced income for at least 2 Lebensmonate. ElterngeldPlus extends until the end of the 32nd Lebensmonat (trade one Basiselterngeld month for two ElterngeldPlus months). The Partnerschaftsbonus adds 2–4 ElterngeldPlus months per parent under the 24–32 h work rule.

Is Elterngeld taxable?

Per the Familienportal, Elterngeld itself is income-tax-free — but it is subject to Progressionsvorbehalt, meaning it raises the tax rate applied to your other taxable income in the same year. Receipt of Elterngeld triggers a mandatory Steuererklärung for that year even where you would otherwise not be required to file one.

Can both parents receive Basiselterngeld at the same time?

For births from 1 April 2024, simultaneous receipt of Basiselterngeld by both parents is limited to one Lebensmonat within the first 12 Lebensmonate (with exceptions for premature, multiple and disability cases). ElterngeldPlus and Partnerschaftsbonus are not subject to that one-month restriction.

What is the income ceiling?

Per § 1 (8) BEEG and the Familienportal, for births from 1 April 2025 entitlement is excluded if zu versteuerndes Einkommen in the calendar year before the birth exceeds 175.000 Euro — same threshold for couples (combined), single parents and separately-raising parents. For births 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025 the threshold was 200.000 Euro.

Can foreign parents in Germany claim?

Per § 1 (7) BEEG, EU, EEA and Swiss nationals living or working in Germany are entitled. Third-country nationals are entitled where they hold a Niederlassungserlaubnis, Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt-EU, Blaue Karte EU, ICT-Karte or Mobiler-ICT-Karte, Aufenthaltsdokument GB, Beschäftigungsduldung, or an Aufenthaltserlaubnis that authorises work for at least six months. Aufenthaltsgestattung and ordinary Duldung do not qualify.

How is Elterngeld different from Kindergeld, Mutterschaftsgeld and Kinderzuschlag?

Elterngeld is the federal parental allowance from the Elterngeldstelle that replaces pre-birth earnings. Kindergeld is the monthly child allowance from the Familienkasse (Bundesagentur für Arbeit). Mutterschaftsgeld is maternity-leave wage replacement from the statutory health insurer. Kinderzuschlag is an income supplement for low-earning families. They are distinct benefits with separate applications — Elterngeld is paid in parallel to Kindergeld where both apply.

What if the Elterngeldstelle has not decided after several weeks?

Per the Familienportal, processing time is set at Bundesland level and is not federally enumerated — variance depends on the responsible Elterngeldstelle and current load. The federal escalation path is to contact your Elterngeldstelle first; if the delay persists, escalate to the Aufsichtsbehörde of your Bundesland — the addresses are published on the federal ministry portal.

I think my Bescheid is wrong. What can I do?

Per the Familienportal, you may file Widerspruch in writing with the issuing Elterngeldstelle within one month of receiving the Bescheid. Subsequent litigation goes to the Sozialgericht. Widerspruch and Klage have no suspensive effect — the original Bescheid remains operative pending review.

After This Process

  • → Apply for Kindergeld with the Familienkasse — separate benefit from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, paid in parallel to Elterngeld
  • → If you are employed, lodge your Elternzeit notice with your employer — Elternzeit is the separate job-protection right under §§ 15–21 BEEG and is not granted automatically with Elterngeld
  • → Plan your Steuererklärung for the year of receipt — Elterngeld triggers a mandatory annual filing and is subject to Progressionsvorbehalt
  • → If your income remains low, check Kinderzuschlag eligibility with the Familienkasse — a separate top-up benefit
  • → Premature birth (≥ 6 weeks early): claim the supplement of 1–4 additional Basiselterngeld months under § 4 (5) BEEG

Sources

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10 sources cited last accessed 2026-05-12

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  1. T1
    Familienportal des Bundes (BMBFSFJ) 2026-05-12

    Elterngeld is the federal parental allowance under the Bundeselterngeld- und Elternzeitgesetz (BEEG). It comes in three legally distinct variants — Basiselterngeld, ElterngeldPlus and Partnerschaftsbonus — which may be combined. Applications are filed with the Elterngeldstelle competent for the child's place of residence: 'Bitte wenden Sie sich an die Elterngeldstelle, die für den Wohnort Ihres Kindes zuständig ist.' The Beratung vor Ort postcode finder on familienportal.de maps postcodes to the responsible Elterngeldstelle.

    familienportal.de
  2. T1
    Familienportal des Bundes (BMBFSFJ) 2026-05-12

    'Den Antrag sollten Sie gleich nach der Geburt und innerhalb der ersten 3 Lebensmonate Ihres Kindes stellen. Denn Elterngeld wird maximal für 3 Lebensmonate rückwirkend gezahlt.' ElterngeldDigital is available in all Bundesländern: 'In vielen Bundesländern unterstützt Sie der Onlineservice ElterngeldDigital bei der Beantragung.' Required documents: Geburtsurkunde des Kindes (the Standesamt copy marked Verwendungszweck: Elterngeld), payslips for the 12 months before the month maternity protection begins (mothers) or before the birth (fathers), Bescheinigungen der Krankenkasse über Mutterschaftsgeld, Bescheinigungen des Arbeitgebers über Zuschüsse zum Mutterschaftsgeld, and — for self-employed — der letzte Steuerbescheid. The employer attestation is statutorily owed: 'Ihr Arbeitgeber oder Dienstherr ist verpflichtet, Ihnen die benötigten Unterlagen auszustellen.' Where both parents are entitled, both must sign the application.

    familienportal.de
  3. T1
    Familienportal des Bundes (BMBFSFJ) 2026-05-12

    Basiselterngeld: minimum 300 Euro/month, maximum 1.800 Euro/month. ElterngeldPlus: minimum 150 Euro/month, maximum 900 Euro/month — capped at the Deckelungsbetrag (half of the notional Basiselterngeld with zero post-birth income). Partnerschaftsbonus: 150–900 Euro/month per parent. The headline replacement rate is 65 % of pre-birth Netto-Einkommen lost after the birth, with statutory tapering up to 100 % for very low pre-birth income (under § 2 BEEG). The pre-birth income considered for calculation is capped at 2.770 Euro per month.

    familienportal.de
  4. T1
    Familienportal des Bundes (BMBFSFJ) 2026-05-12

    For births from 1 April 2025, entitlement is excluded where zu versteuerndes Einkommen in the calendar year before birth exceeds 175.000 Euro — the same threshold applies to couples (combined), single parents and separately-raising parents. For births 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025 the threshold was 200.000 Euro. From 1 April 2024 simultaneous receipt of Basiselterngeld by both parents is limited to one Lebensmonat within the first 12 Lebensmonate, with exceptions for premature, multiple and disability cases. The premature-birth supplement adds 1–4 additional Basiselterngeld months (6 weeks early → +1; 8 → +2; 12 → +3; 16 → +4).

    familienportal.de
  5. T1
    Familienportal des Bundes (BMBFSFJ) 2026-05-12

    EU, EEA and Swiss nationals living or working in Germany are entitled. Third-country nationals are entitled if they hold a Niederlassungserlaubnis, Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt-EU, Blaue Karte EU, ICT-Karte or Mobiler-ICT-Karte, Aufenthaltsdokument GB, Beschäftigungsduldung, or certain Aufenthaltserlaubnis categories that authorise work for at least six months. Holders of Aufenthaltsgestattung or ordinary Duldung are excluded.

    familienportal.de
  6. T1
    Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — BEEG § 1 2026-05-12

    § 1 (1) BEEG: entitlement requires a Wohnsitz or gewöhnlichen Aufenthalt in Germany, living in the same household as the child, personally caring for and raising the child, and not being engaged in more than voller Erwerbstätigkeit. § 1 (6) BEEG defines this as working not more than 32 Wochenstunden on average over the Lebensmonat. § 1 (7) lists qualifying permit categories for non-EU nationals. § 1 (8) sets the 175.000 Euro income ceiling for births from 1 April 2025.

    gesetze-im-internet.de
  7. T1
    Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — BEEG § 4 2026-05-12

    § 4 BEEG sets the Bezugsdauer: Basiselterngeld is available for the first 14 Lebensmonate of the child; up to 12 monthly amounts per parent, combined 14 months as Partnermonate where both parents claim and at least one has reduced income for at least 2 Lebensmonate. ElterngeldPlus extends until the end of the 32nd Lebensmonat, trading one Basiselterngeld month for two ElterngeldPlus months, provided at least one parent draws consecutively from the 15th Lebensmonat onward.

    gesetze-im-internet.de
  8. T1
    Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — BEEG § 4b 2026-05-12

    § 4b BEEG (Partnerschaftsbonus): each parent receives 2, 3, or 4 additional ElterngeldPlus months where both parents work 24–32 Wochenstunden in parallel for those consecutive months. The hour rule also applies to single parents under the same band. Breach of the 24–32 h band in any one month obliges repayment of the Bonus for that month only; remaining months stand provided at least 2 months met the criteria.

    gesetze-im-internet.de
  9. T1
    Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — BEEG § 7 2026-05-12

    § 7 (1) BEEG: 'Elterngeld ist schriftlich zu beantragen.' Back-payment is capped — 'Es wird rückwirkend nur für die letzten drei Lebensmonate vor Beginn des Lebensmonats geleistet, in dem der Antrag auf Elterngeld eingegangen ist.' The application must specify the Lebensmonate for which Basiselterngeld, ElterngeldPlus or Partnerschaftsbonus is claimed. Where both parents are entitled, both sign (§ 7 (3)).

    gesetze-im-internet.de
  10. T1
    Bundesministerium für Bildung, Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend 2026-05-12

    Federal ministry overview confirming the three-variant taxonomy (Basiselterngeld, ElterngeldPlus, Partnerschaftsbonus), the role of the Land-level Elterngeldstellen as the operational authority, and the federal escalation path: persistent delay complaints are directed to the Aufsichtsbehörde of the relevant Bundesland, whose addresses are published on the ministry portal.

    bmbfsfj.bund.de
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