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.
These activities count as 'work' under the rules:
These don't count toward your 32 hours – you can do them without limit:
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. Curious how part-time work affects your payment? See how part-time affects your amount.
How part-time income affects Elterngeld
Your Elterngeld is reduced when you have income, but you still come out ahead
Read moreWhy ElterngeldPlus is better for part-time
ElterngeldPlus has a 'protection' that limits how much your payment is reduced
Read moreSpecial rules for freelancers
Self-employed parents are eligible for Elterngeld
Read moreOur free guide walks you through everything step by step.
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