Apply for Parental Allowance

3 Types

Parental allowance is available in three types:

1. Basic Parental Allowance
2. Parental Allowance Plus
3. Partnership Bonus

These options can be combined.

1. Basic Parental Allowance

Basic Parental Allowance is a family benefit for all parents who wish to care for their child themselves during the first 14 months after birth and are therefore not working or not working full-time (max. 32 hours per week).

Both parents are entitled to a total of twelve monthly payments, which they can divide between themselves. If both parents apply for parental allowance and one of them has a lower income after the birth than before, parental allowance is paid for two additional months (partner months). Parental allowance must be claimed for at least two months and may be claimed for a maximum of twelve months.

New Regulations for Births on or After April 1, 2024

Parents may receive basic parental allowance simultaneously for a maximum of one month of the child’s life and only within the first 12 months of the child’s life.

Exceptions to this rule are:

• Premature infants (born at least 6 weeks before the estimated due date)
• Twins or multiple births
• Newborns with disabilities
• Siblings with a disability (for whom a sibling bonus is granted)

2. Parental Allowance Plus

Parental Allowance Plus is a variation of the parental allowance, designed primarily for parents who wish to return to work earlier. It also offers the option to double the duration of parental allowance benefits. One month of basic parental allowance becomes two months of Parental Allowance Plus. Working part-time is not mandatory. Parental Allowance Plus amounts to a maximum of half the basic parental allowance and can be paid beyond the child’s 14th month of life.

3. Partnership Bonus

The partnership bonus is an additional benefit on top of basic parental allowance and Parental Allowance Plus. Here, two, three, or four additional months of Parental Allowance Plus are granted to each parent if both parents simultaneously work between 24 and 32 hours per week for two, three, or four consecutive months. The partnership bonus must be applied for a minimum of two months of the child’s life and may be applied for a maximum of four months of the child’s life.

Extended Parental Leave for Premature Babies

Parental allowance can be received for a longer period if the child is born at least six weeks before the estimated due date. The additional months of basic parental allowance are available under the following conditions:

• If the child is born at least 6 weeks before the estimated due date, this corresponds to 1 additional month of basic parental allowance
• Birth of the child at least 8 weeks before the estimated due date equals 2 additional months of basic parental allowance
• If the child is born at least 12 weeks before the estimated due date, this corresponds to 3 additional months of basic parental allowance
• If the child is born at least 16 weeks before the estimated due date, this corresponds to 4 additional months of basic parental allowance

Here, too, the basic parental allowance can be converted into Parental Allowance Plus.

Eligibility Requirements

You are eligible to apply for parental allowance if you:

• has their domicile or habitual residence in Germany
• lives in the same household as their child and personally cares for and raises the child
• are not working at all or are working part-time (max. 32 hours per week) after the birth
• had a taxable income of up to 250,000.00 euros in the most recent completed tax assessment period (for couples, the limit is 300,000.00 euros for births up to March 31, 2024, for births on or after April 1, 2024, the limit is 200,000.00 euros for single parents and couples, and for births on or after April 1, 2025, the limit is 175,000.00 euros for single parents and couples)

The following individuals are eligible to receive parental allowance:

• Employees
• Self-employed individuals
• Civil servants
• Students
• Apprentices
• Unemployed
• Stay-at-home mothers or fathers
• Adoptive parents
• Relatives up to the third degree (in exceptional cases)

Parental allowance can only be claimed for full calendar months of the child’s life.

A calendar month runs from the date of birth in one month to the day before the child’s birthday in the following month. If the child is born on the 15th of a month, the calendar month ends on the 14th of the following month.

Notes on the Calculation of Parental Allowance

The amount of parental allowance is based on the average monthly net income available to the parent during the twelve months prior to the birth. It replaces 65% or 67% of the monthly earned income lost following the child’s birth. A higher replacement rate applies to low-income earners. Eligible recipients receive at least 300.00 euros (basic parental allowance) or 150.00 euros (Parental Allowance Plus) and a maximum of 1,800.00 euros (basic parental allowance) or 900.00 euros (Parental Allowance Plus).

Calculation of adjusted net income:

• Income tax, the solidarity surcharge, church tax, and mandatory social security contributions are deducted as a lump sum from the current gross taxable income
• In addition, a flat-rate deduction of 102.50 euros per month is applied for the employee’s standard deduction for births on or after January 1, 2025
• Other payments and tax-exempt income are not counted as income

Sibling Bonus:

The sibling bonus is paid in addition to the calculated parental allowance as long as an older sibling under the age of 3 or two children under the age of 6 live in the household. The bonus amounts to 10% of the parental allowance to which you are entitled, with a minimum of 75.00 euros. Please submit a copy of a current child benefit statement (no older than 3 months). In the case of multiple births, you are entitled to parental allowance for each child. The parental allowance increases by 300.00 euros for each additional child in a multiple birth.

On the website of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth, you can use the parental allowance calculator/planner to determine the amount of your parental allowance and explore the various parental allowance options (see links).

You must apply for parental allowance in writing. You can obtain the parental allowance application form from us or download it (see links). Please note that you must print out the parental allowance application form via ElterngeldDigital (online application) and submit the signed form to us. There is no automatic online submission.

The application can only be submitted after the child’s birth. Retroactive payments are granted only for the last 3 months of the child’s life prior to receipt of the application.

Video with Step-by-Step Instructions

In our video, you’ll learn step by step how to apply for parental allowance in Jena—online or in person. We’ll show you where to find the right forms, what documents are required, and how to submit an application.

For personalized advice on parental allowance and parental leave, or to submit your application, please schedule an appointment in advance.

The Jena Parental Allowance Office is family-friendly—with a parking area for strollers, a breastfeeding and diaper-changing room, and barrier-free access. The video also gives you a glimpse into the City of Jena’s Family Services, which provides expert support.

Get informed now, book an appointment, and apply for parental allowance stress-free—in your family-friendly Jena!

• Application Form
• Original copy of the child’s birth certificate “For the purpose of applying for parental allowance”
• Proof of income (see below)
• Original certificate from the health insurance provider confirming receipt of maternity benefits or denial of maternity benefits (copy for the parental allowance office)
• Copy of the earnings statement including the employer’s contribution or a certificate from the employer regarding the application for parental allowance during the maternity leave period (see Downloads)
• Copy of the parental leave confirmation from the employer
• If working part-time during the parental allowance period: Proof from the employer of weekly working hours and estimated earnings
• If applicable, a copy of current proof of child benefit (no older than three months, e.g., bank statement)
• If applicable, a copy of your residence permit
• If applicable, a copy of proof of premature birth and the expected due date (e.g., prenatal care record)

Proof of income (copies):

• For salaried employees: twelve pay stubs from before the birth or the start of the maternity leave period
• For self-employed individuals: tax assessment notice for the calendar year prior to the child’s birth (previous year) or the most recent available tax assessment notice + income-expense statement (EÜR) for the previous year, along with a forecast for the benefit period
• For both self-employed and employed individuals: all pay stubs from the previous year, tax assessment notice from the previous year or the most recent available tax assessment notice + income-expense statement (EÜR) for the previous year, forecast for the benefit period
• Note: Exceptions are possible (e.g., receipt of parental allowance for a previous child)

Please note:

• If you have any questions regarding your parental allowance or your application for parental allowance, or if you wish to submit documents to us, please always make sure to include your child’s name and date of birth (otherwise, we will not be able to match the information).
• You must pay 0.50 euros per copied page for copies made at the parental allowance office.

• Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act (BEEG)