Planning

Both parents can take Elterngeld. Here are common strategies for dividing the time.

Single parents can get all 14 months themselves. Plus extra flexibility with the Partnerschaftsbonus.

Baby born early? You get up to 4 extra months of Elterngeld depending on how premature.

They sound similar but they're different things. Here's what each one means.

Maximize your benefits: when to take Basis, when to switch to Plus, and how to combine them.

Who can claim depends on where your child lives. The one-third rule, signatures, and how months are split if you disagree.

Holiday cuts during Elternzeit, leftover holiday, the three-month notice to resign at the end, and Elternzeit for grandparents.

A draft, not yet law: what is planned for births from 1 November 2027 and what stays the same until then.