The Partnerschaftsbonus provides two to four additional ElterngeldPlus months per parent when both parents meet the working-hours and general eligibility rules at the same time. The months do not use the ordinary Basis/Plus budget.
To get the Partnerschaftsbonus, both parents must:
The work hours requirement is very specific:
This is calculated as a monthly average. Some flexibility week-to-week is okay, but your monthly average must land in the 24-32 range.
A parent can claim the bonus alone only if one of the conditions in § 4c BEEG applies. This includes a specific tax-law single-parent condition plus separate living arrangements, or cases where care by the other parent is impossible or would endanger the child.
The parent must still work an average of 24 to 32 hours and claim two to four consecutive life months.
The Elterngeldstelle can check actual working hours retrospectively. If the conditions are not met in a claimed month, the bonus for that month can be reclaimed.
The law preserves the required sequence even if a claimed month later turns out not to qualify; one failed month does not automatically erase every following month. Changes should still be reported promptly.
The Partnerschaftsbonus is 2-4 additional ElterngeldPlus months per parent when both work between 24 and 32 hours per week simultaneously. It must be taken by both parents at the same time for 2, 3, or 4 consecutive months. Single parents can use it alone.
The optimal split depends on your situation. Typical models: 1) Classic: Mother 12 months + Father 2 months. 2) Partnership: 7+7 months. 3) With part-time: Combine Basiselterngeld + ElterngeldPlus for longer benefit. 4) With Partnerschaftsbonus: If both want to work 24-32h. Use the calculator at familienportal.de!
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