Germany · Elterngeld

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Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) in Germany

Elterngeld replaces part of your income while you take time off after a birth in Germany. It's separate from Kindergeld and is handled by your Bundesland's Elterngeldstelle — several states have an online portal (ElterngeldDigital).

65–100% of net income, ~€300–1,800/month. Apply within 3 months of birth (backdated max 3 months).

Good to know — wherever you live

  • Apply within three months of the birth — it's only backdated up to three months, so don't wait.
  • You'll need the special 'für Elterngeld' birth certificate copy from the Standesamt, plus 12 months of payslips.
  • Basis- vs ElterngeldPlus changes how long and how much you receive — model both before choosing.
  • Both parents can split the months; reserve the two partner months so you don't lose them.

Now pick your city

The office, booking portal and local quirks differ from city to city — your city's guide has the exact steps, documents and booking link.

BerlinMunichHamburgFrankfurtCologneDüsseldorfStuttgartLeipzigDortmundEssenBremenDresdenHannoverNurembergBonnMannheimKarlsruheMünsterAachenMainzAugsburgWiesbadenBielefeldBochumWuppertalFreiburgHeidelbergDarmstadtRegensburgWürzburgKielLübeckPotsdamSaarbrückenRostockErfurtJenaHalle (Saale)MagdeburgChemnitzBraunschweigOsnabrückKasselKoblenz

TiG Desk — free iPhone app

The letters that come with Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld), read for you

Photograph an official letter and TiG Desk tells you who sent it, what you have to do and by when — then keeps the document on your phone and reminds you before the deadline. Free, and it works without an account.

Download on the App Store →SIM, bank, electricity →

Doing this one online instead? TiG Pilot explains each field of the authority's own form while you fill it.