Can I Work While Receiving Elterngeld? The 32-Hour Rule

Elterngeld Helper·Updated January 2025

Key takeaways

•Yes, you can work – up to 32 hours per week
•Go over 32 hours even once? You lose Elterngeld for that entire month
•Good news: Studying or training doesn't count toward the limit

Next steps

•See how working affects your payment — Income impact
•Learn why ElterngeldPlus might pay more if you work — Plus for part-time

The 32-hour rule explained

Many parents want (or need) to keep working while on parental leave. Good news: That's totally allowed – as long as you stay under 32 hours per week.

This is calculated as a monthly average. So if you work 40 hours one week and 24 hours the next, you're fine (32 hours average). But be careful: If your monthly average exceeds 32 hours, you lose your entire Elterngeld payment for that month. No partial payments.

What counts toward the 32 hours?

These activities count as 'work' under the rules:

Your main job (obviously)
Any part-time work or Minijob
Self-employment or freelancing
Work in a family business

What doesn't count (good news)

These don't count toward your 32 hours – you can do them without limit:

University studies – Even if you're studying 50 hours a week
Vocational training (Ausbildung)
Volunteer work
Caring for your children (that's the whole point!)

Multiple jobs? They add up

If you have more than one job, all hours are combined. Your main job (20 hours) plus a Minijob (15 hours) = 35 hours = over the limit = no Elterngeld that month.

Plan carefully if you have multiple income sources.

How part-time income affects Elterngeld Why ElterngeldPlus is better for part-time Special rules for freelancers

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