Family

Applying for parental allowance (Elterngeld)

Parental allowance replaces part of the income when parents work less or stop working after a birth; it is applied for at the parental-allowance office of the state or municipality.

Last updated: 5 October 2026 · Draft – not yet editorially reviewed.

Elterngeld is a federal benefit for parents who care for and raise their child themselves after birth and reduce or stop working for that time. It is paid to eligible parents in Germany, including in special family situations such as adoption or, in some cases, for close relatives caring for the child. 1 2 4 5

Who needs this

You may apply for Elterngeld if you care for and raise your child yourself, live with the child in one household, and work no more than 32 hours per week. 2 4 5
Elterngeld is possible for biological parents, the other parent of the child, adoptive parents, and in special cases for close relatives such as grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, or nephews. 2 4 5
Elterngeld is excluded if the relevant taxable income limit is exceeded: for births from 1 April 2024, the limit is 200,000 euros for parents together or for single parents; from 1 April 2025, the limit is 175,000 euros. 2 3 4 5
Elterngeld can also be used together with ElterngeldPlus, and there is a Partnerschaftsbonus if both parents work 24 to 32 hours per week in at least two to four consecutive months. 3 4

Step by step

Choose the right application form for your child’s date of birth and use the form from your federal state or city. 2 3 4 5
Apply online if available, or fill in a paper application and send it to the responsible Elterngeldstelle. In Köln, you can also send the signed paper application by email as a PDF. 3 5
If both parents can receive Elterngeld, both must sign the application; in Köln, the application can also be submitted jointly. 2 3 5
If your details change after submitting the application, use the change form or change application where offered. 3 4 5
Submit the required supporting documents with the application. 2 3 4 5

Documents

Birth certificate of the child, in some places required in original. 2 3 4
Proof of previous income. For employees, this is usually salary statements for the relevant months before birth or before the start of maternity protection; for self-employed applicants, usually the last tax assessment. 2 3 4 5
Identity documents of both parents, and in Berlin also the last registration certificate. 3 4
Proof from the health insurance provider about maternity benefit, if relevant. 3 4
Proof of parental leave or part-time work, if relevant. 4
For foreign applicants in Berlin: registration certificate and residence title. 3
If you work while receiving Elterngeld, proof of working hours and expected income may be required. 3 4

Cost and time

The application is free of charge. 3 4 5
In Hamburg, the authority says the processing time is available from the responsible office. 4

Deadlines

You can apply only after the child is born. 4 5
In Hamburg, it is best to apply within the first 3 months after birth, because Elterngeld is paid retroactively for a maximum of 3 months. 4

City by city

Berlin: Online application is available with a BundID account; for the online application, an activated online ID function (eID) or an Elster certificate is used. Berlin also lists separate application forms depending on whether the child was born before, between, or from 1 April 2025. 3
Hamburg: You must live in Germany or usually stay there, and Hamburg states that the office will tell you if more documents are needed during the procedure. 4
Köln: The city only accepts applications from people living in Köln, offers an online application through the Familienportal NRW, and also accepts paper applications. 5