(English) Elterngeld: The Basics
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Hello,
I am a Canadian expat living in Frankfurt. I am pregnant and i would like to understand how to apply in writting to the Elterngeld. Should I just send my request via email….any supporting documents? What exactly should be writted in that email?
Kindly advise. Thank you
Hi Denise,
Thanks for reaching out. Your local Elterngeldstelle (part of the town’s Jugendamt) has application forms to download, as well as the list of supporting documents to send. Unfortunately, the request cannot be done by email but by post, and the forms and documents are all in German, and unavailable in English.
We offer the service for a fee to support you in enquiring for Elterngeld and filling in the forms, as well as preparing the supporting documents. If you would like a quote, please do not hesitate to get in touch via email: Elodie.roux@maternita.de
All the best
Elodie
Hello, I have a baby and receiving the 12 month Elterngeld. My questions:
1) To confirm, if I took a job less than 30 hours a month I can still receive the elterngeld money?
2) If I were pregnant again within the period and was unable to return to work, would I be able to apply directly again for the next child with results based on my previous salary? (e.g. have another 12 months following the first 12 months) OR would the elterngeld stop after 12 months with me receiving nothing after that period?
Hi,
Thanks for your comment.
1) Yes but the Elterngeld amount will be reduced accordingly (because you will be earning a salary and Elterngeld is an earning replacement)
2) The Elterngeld for the second child will be based on your earnings 12 months prior to the birth of the second child (if employed) or based on the financial year prior to the birth of the second child (if self-employed). As Elterngeld does not count as “earnings”, if you have not had any income apart from the Elterngeld during the calculation period for your second child, then the calculation basis will be 0€ and you will receive the minimum Elterngeld of 300€.
Hi Roux,
I am an Indian citizen and studing Masters in Germany in Stuttgart. I am pregnant now and I would like to know if i am eligible for Elterngeld or Kindergeld.
Thankyou
Safnaz
Hi Safnaz,
It depends on your residency permit, some do not allow to claim Elterngeld. Kindergeld on the other hand should be fine (depending on some circumstances like at least one parent living in Germany, and not claiming child benefit anywhere etc).
As with every situation, difficult to say without knowing exactly your circumstances. We offer skype consultations for clients outside of Berlin, maybe you could benefit from one to clarify these questions for sure?
All the best
Elodie
Hi,
I’m considering taking one month of Elternzeit directly after the birth of my baby, and then another month later during the first year. Is it possible to claim Elterngeld for these two months? Or do the two months have to be consecutive in order to claim Elterngeld?
Best,
Josh
Hi Josh,
No the months do not have to be consecutive.
All the best
Elodie
Hi Elodie,
Thanks for the reply. Would I receive the Elterngeld after each month separately, or all together after the 2nd month?
Best,
Josh
The months will be paid separately. All the best!
Elodie
Hello
My wife and I are employed in India, but in Germany on an expatriate posting for nearly 4 years now. We have just been blessed with twins, and my wife is currently on maternity leave.
Under extant Indian laws, she continues to receive the component of her salary that she would have received had she been in India, but does nit receive the expat benefits at the moment. Can she apply for Elterngeld?
Hi and congratulations!
Depending on your wife’s residence permit, she can apply for Elterngeld. However, the amount of Elterngeld will be reduced according to what she keeps earning. And the Elterngeld amount will be calculated based on the income earned within the 12 months before the baby’s birth – and only the income taxable in Germany counts. In most cases, your wife could apply for 600€ (as you have twins) per month for 12 months. If you need further help with your application, just send us an email: Elodie.roux@maternita.de
Hallo
I’m living in Germany the moment I give birth to my son but I don’t have a job,now he’s 21 months old and I just get information about elterngeld .
Do I still have rights to apply?
Thank you
Gladys
Hi Gladys,
Unfortunately not. The latest you could have applied was before your son turned 18 months old. I’m sorry.
Best,
Elodie
Hey , I wanted to know that if I am qualified to get Elterngeld if i have worked for 9 months and then discontinued?
Hi,
Your eligibility for Elterngeld depends on a lot of factors so its difficult to say that you will qualify without knowing your situation. However, I can say that the length of time parents have worked before their baby was born is not a criteria for eligibility. So you will not be penalized for discontinuing your employment.
I really advise you to get in touch to get a more detailed consultation about your eligibility rights. Feel free to get in touch on Elodie.roux@maternita.de
All the best
Elodie
Hi, I’ve been hearing that it is taking up to 4 months to get the Elterngeld paid out. I’m single and have no partner with income. 4 months is a long time to wait for this benefit. Anything I can do to make it go quicker?
Hi,
To speed up the processing of your application, you should try and have all the supporting documents sent in right the first time, with the correct translations where required etc. And once you have sent your application, you can always follow up with an email saying how urgent it is, or even drop off the paperwork directly at the Elterngeldstelle in person.
All the best,
Elodie
Hi,
I am from India and working in Berlin for almost 2 years now with the Blue Card. The Blue Card is valid for 2 more years. My question is:-
1). Am I eligible for Elterngeld.
2). Also are both the parents eligible for Elterngeld?
2). And when is the right time to apply for Elterngeld?
Hi,
Elterngeld eligibility depends on a lot of criteria so it is difficult to answer correctly without knowing your situation. But typically a clue card is a valid resident permit allowing for Elterngeld eligibility. Each parent need to have their eligibility checked individually. You can apply for Elterngeld once the baby is born, and it should be if possible applied for max. 3 months after the baby’s birth, otherwise you may loose some benefits.
If you need some support filling out the application, please let us know, we can assist you with this.
Elodie
Hello I’m going out on mutterschutz in April. I am
An American working for a German company do I get treated as the Germans do. It’s contract work. My company told me they won’t renew my contract due to me having the baby in May & that’s the renewal time. Am I eligible for Elterngeld still?
Hello,
I will answer your questions inline:
– do I get treated as the Germans do: if you have a valid residence permit then yes, for as long as your permit is valid
– Am I eligible for Elterngeld still?: your contract ending does not mean you are no longer entitled to Elterngeld. These are other criteria so I cannot say for sure you will be eligible without knowing your specific situation, but having a work contract is not a requirement.
If you need further assistance, we offer individual consultations about this topic, feel free to get in touch.
Elodie
My husband is the one working ,but I am not working at the moment, can I as the wife still recieve the elterngeld?
Hi, houseparents are also eligible for Elterngeld (then the minimum amount) if they fulfill the other requirements.
Hi
I am an Indian national, living in Germany with my husband and expecting our first child in few months. I want to know that the list of documents asked for Elterngeld includes Confirmation letter from your home country that there are no relevant benefits being paid. how and where can we get it because we never heard of something like this in our country and is this document mandatory?
This document is only mandatory for some countries, not for Indian nationals.
All the best
Elodie
Hello, I received elterngeld this month but I relocated back to the U.S last month. I submitted an application along with my deregistration document to discontinue family allowance. I noticed that kindergeld was discontinued. My husband earned his last salary in Germany at the end of March. I am trying to understand why my elterngeld is still being paid and how can I stop it. Thanks
Hi, you should inform the Elterngeldstelle of the district you used to live to discontinue the payments.
All the best
Elodie
Thank you. I will do that.
Hello,
I am working in Germany from last 5 years in IT sector.
for my first child I got eletrngeld for 1 year.
From last 2 years, I am working on Contract Basis,
Now I am thinking for second child,
so my question is,
Still I am eligible for apply eleterngeld for my second child?
Its hard to say without knowing the whole situation – I have very little info here – but lets say you don’t need to have an employment contract to be eligible for Elterngeld. Working as a freelancer is also fine. If you need any more information or some help, we offer individual consultations as well as group workshops: https://kurse.hebammenpraxis-mauerpark.de/?zeitabschnitt=EngCW&kursart=&select=
All the best
Elodie
Hi, I am working 20 hours per week currently. I would like to know how much eltern geld will I get. And if I decide to work after 6 months of giving birth again, for 20 hours per week, will I get the eltern geld for next 6 months as well?
Hi, there is an Elterngeld calculator on this link which will help you calculate your Elterngeld (https://familienportal.de/familienportal/rechner-antraege/elterngeldrechner), also if you decide to work part-time after birth. If you need any more information or some help, we offer individual consultations as well as group workshops: https://kurse.hebammenpraxis-mauerpark.de/?zeitabschnitt=EngCW&kursart=&select=
All the best
Elodie
Hello, I am currently employed and working in Germany for a year. I plan to fly to India for my delivery alone. Will I still be able to claim Elterngeld for all 12 months ?
Yes you will if your main residence is still Germany after the delivery.
Hope this helps! If you need any more information or some help, we offer individual consultations as well as group workshops: https://kurse.hebammenpraxis-mauerpark.de/?zeitabschnitt=EngCW&kursart=&select=
All the best
Elodie
Hi, My wife is pregnant with 4 month now and she is non working(Hause Wife)
Please suggest what benefits as Eltern she can get and I am working as Engineer (Blue card Holder)more than 3 years in Germany.
What benefit I will get as parent.
I appreciate your response.
Br
ROOMAN KHAN
Hello, your wife (pending she has the right residency permit) and yourself can benefit from ELterngeld and Kindergeld. If you want to understand the details of what you are entitled to, we offer individual consultations as well as group workshops: https://kurse.hebammenpraxis-mauerpark.de/?zeitabschnitt=EngCW&kursart=&select=
All the best
Elodie
Hello,
I have been working for over 6 years in Germany. Currently being on the Mutterschutz. Since my husband is on the contract abroad I joined him to deliver baby abroad.
Am I eligible for the Elterngeld if baby is being born abroad (not EU) but I am still registered in Germany since I’m coming back to my work after maternity leave? Do I need to personally be in Germany to apply for Elterngeld or it is ok to do it from abroad?
Thank you in advance for feedback!
Best regards
Jo
Hi Jo, yes under those circumstances and pending you submit the right documents and follow the right procedure, you will be eligible for Elterngeld. If you need more information, we provide invdividual assistance for the Elterngeld applications. Just contact us!
All the best, Elodie
Hi do I apply for Elterngeld Plus as well as Elterngeld? Do I get more money that way?
Hi, on the application you have the choice between both. You can mix them up (switch between Elterngeld Basic and Plus) but you cannot have both at the same time. We offer group workshops as well as individual consultations. Let us know if you would like to schedule something so we can help you in your specific case. All the best, Elodie
Hello,
I was planning to have my baby in my country, but today my boss told me that if I do so I can not apply for the Elterngeld. I have been working in Germany for almost 2 years and I will keep Germany as my main residence. Is it possible to deliver the baby in another European country, but not in Germany and still get the Elterngeld?
Thanks a lot!
Hello, you can have the baby in another country and still claim Elterngeld, as long as you register the baby in Germany after birth. If you need any further assistance with your application, please don’t hesitate to contact us: elodie@maternita.de
All the best
Elodie
Hello,
I have two questions:
1. If I am unemployed and my husband earns about 2500 net per month, is the 65% calculated from our joint income as a family? Or is it that only one of us can get the Elterngeld and then it’s calculated in regards to that person’s income?
2. If my husband reduces his work hours under 30, will he get the same amount of money regardless of how many hours he would work? can he choose how many hours he wants to work or is it the employer?
3. If I decide to work during this time, will my earnings be deducted from the Elterngeld sum or eliminate it?
4. Are parents getting the Elterngeld and Kindergeld at the same time in the first year?
Thank you so much!
S
Hello,
Thats a lot of questions so lets see
1. Each parent’s Elterngeld is caulcated based on their own income
2. What your husband earns whilst claiming EG will determine how much EG he gets
3. It depends how much EG you get but as per 3, it will probably have an impact on the amount of your EG
4. You can claim both Kindergeld and Elterngeld yes, but Kindergeld is only paid to one parent
If you need further assistance, we offer individual consultations to answer this type of questions. Dont hesitate to get in touch
Elodie
Hi,
My husband is on bluecard and I am an housewife( I am eligible to work there). I travelled to India for my delivery and will be joining back my husband once the baby is 6 months old. I am still registered in Germany where as my child is not. She will be registered in Germany in November(she will be 6 months old then). Can we apply for elterngeld now or only after I join my husband?
Hi Archana, you can apply for Elterngeld as soon as your baby is registered in Germany. This is a pre-requisite for applying.
If you need assistance with your application, feel free to send me an email: Elodie.roux@maternita.de
All the best
Elodie
I I am Indian Citizen and I am working in Germany since 15 April 2019. I am registered in the my city burgeamt. I have unlimited work contract to work and live in Germany. I have applied for blue card and the application is in process.
My wife is still in India and could not travel to Germany as she is pregnant and we are expecting a kid in next few weeks. I am going to take two months unpaid paternity leave to be there along with my wife in India.
Am i eligible to get elterngeld ?
Hi Ramesh
You will be eligible to apply for Elterngeld as soon as you live in the same household as your baby, meaning as soon as the baby is registered in Germany. This is a pre-requisite for applying for Elterngeld. If you need assistance with your application, don’t hesitate to send me an email: Elodie.roux@maternita.de
All the best
Elodie
Hi there,
I have worked in Germany for 6 years. My baby is due in October. My work contract ends on 31st March 2020. Will be elterngeld be stopped on 31st March 2020 or does it continue for a full year (if I so choose to take it?)
Thanks
Jemima
Hi Jemima, your Elterngeld will not end with your contract no, it can run for 12 months if you fulfill the other criteria. All the best, Elodie
Hi,
I am working in Germany and I have only filled the documents with my company for the leave and they said that this is enough and that I don’t have to fill anything else.
I just gave birth 2 weeks ago and I want to know if I also need to register directly and where should I do it ?
Thank you
Hi Oana, in addition to requesting ELternzeit (parental leave with your employer), you need to request: Mutterschaftsgeld for the 8 weeks after birth to your health insurance, Elterngeld from the state if you wish to claim as well as Kindergeld. There are a number of things to sort out. If you need individual assistance, feel free to get in touch: Elodie.roux@maternita.de
Hi
My baby will be one year in October 26 2019 . I am still waiting for my resident permit from immigration I have being given dudung up to January 2020 whiles I am waiting for the permit. That’s it means after October 26 I will loose the enterngeld allowance. And what about enterngeld plus
Hi Shirley, you have until the baby is 19 months old to apply for Elterngeld for the first time, after that your entitlement will end. If you need assistance, we offer an ELterngeld application service. Feel free to contact us on Elodie.roux@maternita.de
Hi,
I work in Germany for 2 years (an unlimited contract). I want to give a birth in the country of my origin (EU country). How many days after the child is born, I must register my child in Germany in order to get Elterngeld and Kindergeld?
Best,
Hi Jana, there is no set date for registering the baby in Germany after birth if you gave birth abroad. As soon as you move back to Germany though, and your baby is a permanent resident here, then you should register them within a week.
All the best
Elodie
Hi,
I am French and work and live in Munich. Our baby was born last May and I am in a parental leave for one year. I applied for Elterngeld and kindergeld. my husband recently moved to Singapore and I plan to join him.
I need to give back our flat in Munich. But my contract stay in Munich. How can i keep my residence in Germany? Am I still eligible for the kinder and elterngeld or should I discontinue them?
Hi, Elterngeld and Kindergeld are only valid if you have a residence in Germany (apart from a few cases). If you move abroad, you should discontinue them by talking to the relevant authorities.
All the best, Elodie
Hi i did apply for elterngeld about 3 months ago, but i havent received anything yet. How long does it take? Thanks
Hi Ahmet, it usually takes about 6 weeks to get the final confirmation letter. It depends on where you live though. Maybe you should try contacting them if you havent heard anything yet.
All the best
Elodie
hello… i hope i can get some answer here…
my daughter was born jan 22 2019, she arrived in germany oct 17 2019 (9mont old).. i only knew about this elterngeld now.
although I can still file for elterngeld now,,, does this mean I can only get 4months (3mos retroactive + 1 month active) since she will be 1yr old this jan 2020, and elterngeld is only paid for 12months of life…
Hi, yes you can apply until your daughter turns 15 months old, however the Elterngeld can only be paid 3 months retroactively.
All the best, Elodie