How much Elterngeld will I receive?

65–67% of your average monthly net income for the 12 months before birth. Minimum: €300 (even for non-earners). Maximum: €1,800 per month.

What is the difference between Basiselterngeld and ElterngeldPlus?

Basiselterngeld: full rate (65%) for up to 12+2 months. ElterngeldPlus: half rate, but for twice as long (up to 24+4 months). ElterngeldPlus is worthwhile if you want to return to part-time work early and extend the benefit period.

What is the Bayerisches Familiengeld?

A Bavarian state supplement of €250/month from the 13th to 24th month of the child's life (€500 for twins). Granted automatically when Elterngeld is approved — no separate application needed. Bavaria only.

Why can't I apply later than 3 months?

Elterngeld is not a retroactive benefit — it is only paid from the month of application. Applying 5 months after birth means losing 5 months of payments.

Elterngeld: Parental Allowance | Deutschland Kompass

65–67% of your net income during parental leave. Apply within 3 months of birth — Elterngeld is NOT paid retroactively! In Bavaria, the Bayerisches Familiengeld is automatically granted after approval.

What and when

Elterngeld compensates for lost income during parental leave. It is paid by the state through regional Elterngeldstellen (in Bavaria: ZBFS).

Critical: the application must be submitted within 3 months of birth. Elterngeld is not paid retroactively.

Two options

Basiselterngeld

Amount: 65–67% of net income
Duration: up to 12 months (+ 2 partnership months)
Best for: parents who want to take extended leave without working

ElterngeldPlus

Amount: ~32–33% of net income
Duration: up to 24 months (+ 4 partnership months)
Best for: parents who want to return to part-time work (up to 32 hrs/week) early and stretch the benefit

Both options can be combined.

What you need to do

Use the BMFSFJ calculator to estimate your benefit amount
Agree with your partner on how to split months (partnership months add +2 bonus months)
Apply online via your state’s portal (Bavaria: ZBFS)
Attach: Geburtsurkunde + Gehaltsabrechnungen (pay slips) for the 12 months before birth + employer confirmation

Bavaria: Bayerisches Familiengeld

When Elterngeld is approved in Bavaria, the Bayerisches Familiengeld (€250/month in months 13–24) is granted automatically. No additional form required.

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Max recommends:

The Elterngeld form is the most complex in the whole process. Took 3 hours. Advice: fill it in together with your partner so you don't mix up the months. Mistakes in the month allocation are hard to correct.

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Lea recommends:

We booked a free Elterngeldberatung (advisory session) at the Elterngeldstelle. The advisor helped us calculate the best option for our income situation. Highly recommended, especially for non-standard cases (part-time, self-employment).

Elterngeld: Parental Allowance