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Here you can find information on how parental allowance is calculated.

If you have applied for parental allowance, the amount of parental allowance will be calculated by the responsible parental allowance office.

Parental allowance is based on the average monthly net income available to the parent providing care in the relevant assessment period before the birth. The relevant assessment period for non-self-employed persons is the last 12 months before the birth, for self-employed persons (and mixed income) the last assessment period (calendar year) before the birth.

The following months are not taken into account

• with receipt of maternity benefit,
• with receipt of parental allowance (without taking into account periods of extended parental allowance payment for births up to 30.06.2015)
• with receipt of Parental Allowance Plus for an older child up to and including the child's 14th month of life
• in which income is reduced due to pregnancy-related illness or military or civilian service obligations.

In the case of non-self-employed persons, these months are replaced by months further in the past. In the case of self-employed persons and those with mixed income, the previous tax assessment period (or the profit calculation periods on which this is based) is decisive on request.

A maximum of EUR 2,770 is taken into account as the average monthly net income before the birth of your child.

Proof of income is required to determine the relevant net income:

• for non-self-employed persons: Wage or salary statements
• for self-employed persons: tax assessment notice

Other payments (in particular one-off payments) and tax-free income are not taken into account as income.

Deductions for taxes and social security contributions are calculated on a flat-rate basis. In addition, a monthly lump sum of EUR 83.33 is deducted for income-related expenses.

One-off payments and tax-free income are not taken into account as income.

Amount of the basic parental allowance:

Entitled persons receive a minimum of EUR 300.00 and a maximum of EUR 1,800.

The lost income is replaced as follows for an average monthly net income before the birth:

• from EUR 1,240 and more at 65 percent,
• from EUR 1,220 to 66 percent and
• between EUR 1,000 and EUR 1,200 at 67 percent.

There is a higher percentage for low earners. If the monthly income is less than EUR 1,000.00, the percentage increases by 0.1% for every EUR 2.00.

Amount of Parental Allowance Plus:

The amount of Parental Allowance Plus is calculated in the same way as Basic Parental Allowance.

You receive parental allowance for twice as long, but at most half of the full basic parental allowance.

Sibling bonus and multiple child supplement:

You receive a sibling bonus in addition to the calculated parental allowance if and as long as an older sibling under the age of three or two older siblings under the age of six live in the household with you. The sibling bonus amounts to 10% of the parental allowance to which you are entitled, at least EUR 75.00 per month if you receive basic parental allowance and at least EUR 37.50 per month if you receive Parental Allowance Plus.

In the case of multiple births, the parental allowance increases by EUR 300.00 for each additional multiple child (EUR 150.00 for Parental Allowance Plus).

• Application form
• Birth certificate or birth certificate for "parental allowance" / "social purposes"
• Proof of income
• Certificate of receipt of maternity benefit
• Certificate of employer's allowance
• Confirmation of working hours while receiving parental allowance

There are no fees.

You can obtain information on the processing time from the relevant parental allowance office.

Parental allowance can be paid retroactively for a maximum of three months before the start of the month in which the application was received.

The federal states are responsible for enforcing the Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act (BEEG). In the event of complaints regarding parental allowance matters that the parental allowance office is unable to resolve, citizens can contact the supervisory authority of the respective federal state directly.

The family portal of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth provides information on all financial benefits for families, services and educational and advisory services for families.

An appeal against the parental allowance decision can be lodged with the parental allowance office within 1 month. The social courts are responsible for lodging an appeal. In accordance with § 13 Para. 2 of the Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act (BEEG), objections and legal challenges have no suspensive effect.

• Parental allowance calculation
• If you have applied for parental allowance, the amount of parental allowance will be calculated by the responsible parental allowance office.
• Parental allowance is based on the average monthly net income available to the parent providing care in the relevant assessment period before the birth. The relevant assessment period for non-self-employed persons is the last 12 months before the birth, for self-employed persons (and mixed income) the last assessment period (calendar year) before the birth.
• The following months are not taken into account
  • with receipt of maternity benefit,
  • with receipt of parental allowance (without taking into account periods of extended parental allowance payment for births up to 30.06.2015)
  • with receipt of Parental Allowance Plus for an older child up to and including the child's 14th month of life
  • in which income is reduced due to pregnancy-related illness or military or civilian service obligations.
• In the case of non-self-employed persons, these months are replaced by months further in the past. In the case of self-employed persons and those with mixed income, the previous tax assessment period (or the profit calculation periods on which this is based) is decisive on request.
• A maximum of EUR 2,770 is taken into account as the average monthly net income before the birth of your child.
• Contact point: You can find the parental allowance office responsible for you in your district or city (usually youth welfare or social welfare offices).

You can find the parental allowance office responsible for you in your district or independent city (usually youth welfare or social services offices).

Parental allowance office