Three Variants: Basiselterngeld, ElterngeldPlus, and Partnership Bonus
Parental allowance (Elterngeld) comes in three variants that can be flexibly combined. The right choice depends mainly on whether and how much you want to work during parental leave (Elternzeit).
Basiselterngeld (Basic Parental Allowance)
Basiselterngeld replaces 65–67% of your lost net income (up to 100% for net income below 1,240 €). It is paid for a maximum of 12 months, or up to 14 months with partner months. The minimum is 300 €, the maximum 1,800 € per month. Important: While receiving Basiselterngeld, you may work a maximum of 32 hours per week.
ElterngeldPlus
ElterngeldPlus is designed specifically for parents who want to return to part-time work early. It is half the amount of Basiselterngeld but is paid for twice as long: one Basiselterngeld month becomes two ElterngeldPlus months. With part-time work, ElterngeldPlus can be significantly more advantageous financially than Basiselterngeld, as supplementary income is offset more favorably.
Partnership Bonus (Partnerschaftsbonus)
The partnership bonus rewards couples who share childcare. If both parents work simultaneously between 24 and 32 hours per week, they each receive 2 to 4 additional ElterngeldPlus months. The bonus is paid as ElterngeldPlus.
Parental Allowance by Net Income
The following table shows the monthly parental allowance entitlement at various net incomes (replacement rate 65%, no supplementary income):
| Net Income Before Birth | Basiselterngeld/Month | ElterngeldPlus/Month | ElterngeldPlus Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,500 € | 975 € | 487 € | up to 24 months |
| 2,000 € | 1,300 € | 650 € | up to 24 months |
| 2,500 € | 1,625 € | 812 € | up to 24 months |
| 3,000 € | 1,800 € | 900 € | up to 24 months |
Note: At a net income of 3,000 €, the maximum cap of 1,800 € for Basiselterngeld applies. The 65% replacement rate would yield 1,950 €, but it is capped.
The 32-Hour Limit for Part-Time Work
Since September 2021, a uniform cap of 32 weekly working hours applies to all Elterngeld variants. Anyone working more than 32 hours loses their Elterngeld entitlement entirely – not just proportionally. For the partnership bonus, a minimum of 24 hours per week is also required.
How Supplementary Income Is Offset
If you earn supplementary income while receiving Elterngeld, it is offset against your benefit. The calculation works as follows:
- Your Elterngeld net income (before birth) minus your part-time net income (during parental leave) gives the net difference.
- 65–67% of this net difference is paid as Elterngeld.
Example: You earned 2,500 € net before the birth and now work part-time for 1,200 € net. Difference: 1,300 €. Elterngeld: approx. 845 € (65%). Your total income in part-time: 1,200 € + 845 € = 2,045 €.
Income Limits Since April 2024
Since April 1, 2024, stricter income limits apply: couples with a combined taxable income above 200,000 € (previously 300,000 €) are no longer eligible for Elterngeld. For single parents, the limit is 150,000 €.
Sources: BEEG (Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act), Federal Ministry for Family Affairs – Familienportal.de, as of 2025.
Optimize your Elterngeld: Calculate your individual entitlement and find the best combination of Basiselterngeld and ElterngeldPlus: Go to Elterngeld Calculator.