Administrative services A-Z

Parental allowance is a benefit for parents of infants and young children. It replaces part of the lost income if you want to be there for your child after the birth and interrupt or reduce your work. Parental allowance is also available for parents who had no income at all before the birth.

There are three types of parental allowance:

• Basic parental allowance
• Parental allowance plus
• Partnership bonus

Parental Allowance Plus and the partnership bonus provide particular support if you share the work and family responsibilities as partners after the birth.

You can also apply for the various options if you are a single parent. Parental allowance is also available for adopted children and children in foster care.

As parents, you can decide for yourself who receives parental allowance and for how long. In the application, you must specify the months of your child's life for which you would like to apply for parental allowance and which parental allowance variant you choose.

The amount of parental allowance is calculated individually. The calculation is based on the income you had before the birth and which ceases after the birth. If you had no income before the birth or no income after the birth, you will receive a minimum amount. For basic parental allowance, this is at least EUR 300.00 per month.

Tip: You can use the parental allowance calculator from the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs to help you plan and calculate.

You can receive parental allowance if you meet the following requirements:

• You look after and bring up your child yourself.
• You have a place of residence in Germany or usually stay here.
• You live with your child in a shared household.
• You are either not employed at all or generally do not work more than 32 hours per week.
  • There are several exceptions to the limit of 32 hours per week, for example if you are on vacation or if you are studying or training.
• Your taxable income does not exceed EUR 250,000. For couples, the limit is usually EUR 300,000.

• Application form
• Birth certificate of the child (in exceptional cases, another suitable document if necessary)

Further documents if necessary:

• Identity card or residence permit
• Proof of recognition or establishment of paternity
• Proof of earned income during the assessment period
• Declaration of expected earned income in the reference period
• Certificate from the health insurance fund regarding maternity benefit and certificate from the employer regarding the maternity benefit allowance
• Other proof of income during the reference period

The type and scope of the documents may vary depending on your individual situation. There may also be differences between the parental allowance offices. You should therefore check your application documents for further information. If you have any questions, you can contact your local parental allowance office.

There are no costs.

You can only apply for parental allowance after the birth.

It is best to submit the application within the first 3 months of your child's life, as parental allowance is paid retroactively for a maximum of 3 months.

• Parental allowance office of the district / independent city

• §§ Sections 1 to 4d of the Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act (BEEG)

If you have a complaint that the parental allowance office has not been able to resolve, you can contact the relevant supervisory authority in your federal state.

• Information on parental allowance on the family portal of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ)
• Parental allowance calculator from the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ)
• Brochure "Parental allowance and parental leave" from the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ)

Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ)