How much Elterngeld is there?
Basiselterngeld replaces 67 percent of the income that falls away before the birth (§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 BEEG). Below 1.000 € a month this rate rises, at most to 100 percent (§ 2 Abs. 2 Satz 1 BEEG). Above 1.200 € it falls, at least to 65 percent (§ 2 Abs. 2 Satz 2 BEEG). The lowest amount is 300 € a month, the highest 1.800 € (§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 BEEG).
The minimum amount also applies where there was no income before the birth (§ 2 Abs. 4 Satz 1 BEEG). With Elterngeld Plus both limits are halved.
Which amount is approved in the end is calculated by the Elterngeldstelle from the details in the application.
The percentage in detail
The percentage depends on the income before the birth (§ 2 Abs. 2 BEEG):
- below 1.000 € a month: 0,1 percentage points more for every 2 € by which the income falls below it, up to 100 per cent;
- from 1.000 € to 1.200 €: 67 per cent;
- above 1.200 €: 0,1 percentage points less for every 2 € by which the income exceeds it, down to 65 per cent.
Three examples
The examples assume an income as calculated for Elterngeld and no income after the birth. They are not a calculation of an entitlement.
| Income before the birth (example) | Percentage | Elterngeld per month |
|---|---|---|
| 800 € | 77 % | 616 € |
| 2.000 € | 65 % | 1.300 € |
| 3.000 € | 65 % | 1.800 € |
In the third example, 65 per cent would exceed the maximum amount. At most 1.800 € is paid.
Which income counts
This is not the net pay on the payslip. The law starts from income from work and deducts taxes and social security contributions under its own rules, partly as flat rates (§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 3 BEEG).
For wages and salaries, the 12 calendar months before the month of the birth usually count (§ 2b Abs. 1 Satz 1 BEEG). For self-employment, a trade or agriculture and forestry, the last completed tax year before the birth counts.
Those who work while receiving Elterngeld
If the entitled person has income after the birth, the percentage applies to the difference between income before and after the birth (§ 2 Abs. 3 BEEG).
For this, income before the birth counts at most as 2.770 €.
Not in full gainful employment means: at most 32 hours a week on average over the month of the child's life (§ 1 Abs. 6 BEEG).
More for siblings and multiple births
A sibling bonus (Geschwisterbonus) of 10 per cent, at least 75 € a month, is paid if the household includes (§ 2a Abs. 1 Satz 1 BEEG):
- two children under 3 years of age, or
- 3 or more children under 6 years of age.
The child for whom Elterngeld is received also counts. For children with disabilities, the age limit is 14 years (§ 2a Abs. 2 Satz 3 BEEG).
For multiple births there is a multiple-birth supplement (Mehrlingszuschlag) of 300 € a month for the second and each further child (§ 2a Abs. 4 Satz 1 BEEG). It is also added to a sibling bonus.
Elterngeld Plus in figures
Elterngeld Plus amounts to at most half of the Basiselterngeld that would be due without income after the birth (§ 4a Abs. 2 BEEG).
The minimum amount is also halved, to 150 €, as are the minimum sibling bonus and the multiple-birth supplement.
Instead of one month of Basiselterngeld, two months of Elterngeld Plus are possible.
Maternity benefit is offset
Maternity benefit and the employer's supplement are fully offset (§ 3 Abs. 1 Satz 1 BEEG). In the weeks after the birth, therefore, no additional Elterngeld usually arrives.
These months of the child's life still count as months with Basiselterngeld. They are therefore included even if no money is paid.
If income is high
If taxable income exceeds 175.000 €, the entitlement lapses (§ 1 Abs. 8 BEEG). This means taxable income within the meaning of § 2 Abs. 5 EStG, not gross income. What counts is the last completed tax year before the birth.
For a couple the same limit applies, based on the sum of both incomes. A higher amount for couples no longer exists since April 2024.