Many foreign parents can receive Elterngeld if they live in Germany with the child, care for the child themselves and meet residence-status requirements. The calculator estimates the amount, but it does not decide immigration eligibility; non-EU parents should check their residence permit rules.

Basiselterngeld is usually 65% to 67% of the eligible net income lost after birth, with higher replacement rates for lower incomes. The minimum is EUR 300 per month and the maximum is EUR 1,800. ElterngeldPlus is usually up to half of the Basiselterngeld amount.

For births from 1 April 2025, Elterngeld is excluded if taxable income exceeds EUR 175,000. According to the Familienportal, this limit applies to couples, single parents and separated parents; taxable income is not the same as gross salary.

Basiselterngeld pays a higher monthly amount for a shorter period. ElterngeldPlus usually pays up to half as much per month but can be received for twice as long. It is often useful when a parent works part-time after birth.

One parent can usually receive up to 12 months of Basiselterngeld. Together, parents can receive up to 14 Basis months if both parents use Elterngeld months. ElterngeldPlus can stretch the payment period.

It can. The German tax class affects the calculated Elterngeld net income. Married parents sometimes improve Elterngeld by switching tax class early enough before birth, but the change must usually apply for most of the assessment period.

The sibling bonus increases Elterngeld by 10%, with minimum and maximum amounts, if qualifying older children live in the household. For multiple births, an additional supplement is paid for each additional child.

The partnership bonus gives additional ElterngeldPlus months when both parents work part-time at the same time. The Familienportal states that 2, 3 or 4 consecutive months are possible when both parents average 24 to 32 working hours per week.