When to Apply for Elterngeld: Deadlines You Need to Know

Elterngeld Help·Reviewed 17 August 2026

Key takeaways

•Elterngeld is paid retroactively for no more than the three life months before the life month in which the application arrives.
•Apply after birth and early enough that the first life month remains inside that window.
•You can prepare the form before birth, but submit it only after the child is born.

The 3-month back-pay rule

Elterngeld is paid retroactively only for the three life months before the start of the life month in which the application reaches the office. This is about the child's life months, not calendar months.

An application that arrives too late can therefore leave earlier requested months unpaid. It does not preserve a separate 14-month entitlement that can simply be moved later.

When you should actually apply

Apply soon after birth and make sure the first life month is still within the statutory three-month window when the application arrives.

You can choose months and prepare most information before birth. The application itself can only be filed after birth; the birth certificate and some income or maternity-benefit evidence are available only then.

How long does approval take?

There is no nationwide statutory processing time. It depends on the responsible office, whether the application is complete and whether income must first be estimated.

Keep proof of when the application arrived and respond promptly if the office asks for evidence. Do not plan around a fixed four-to-eight-week promise.

Next steps

•See everything you need to gather · Document checklist
•Find your local Elterngeldstelle · Where to apply
•Get your application ready · Plan my Elterngeld

Frequently asked questions

How long does application processing take?

There is no single nationwide processing time: it depends on the responsible office, workload and whether your documents are complete. Submit the application promptly after birth and ask your Elterngeldstelle for its current estimate. Elterngeld can be paid for no more than three life months before the month in which the application is received.

When is Elterngeld paid out?

Elterngeld is paid monthly in advance, usually at the beginning or middle of the month (depending on the state). The first payment is made retroactively for all previous life months after approval. After that, you receive automatic monthly payments.

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Step-by-step application guide

You apply at your local Elterngeldstelle (depends on your Bundesland)

Complete document checklist

The birth certificate and proof of previous income are standard evidence.

Find your Elterngeldstelle

The office responsible for the application is based on the child's place of residence.

Ready to check your eligibility?

Our free guide walks you through everything step by step.

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