Elternzeit — Parental Leave in Germany

What is Elternzeit

Elternzeit is unpaid leave from work to care for a child — your employer must grant it. This is NOT the same as Elterngeld: Elternzeit is time off and job protection, Elterngeld is a cash benefit (some parents combine both).

Duration and how to split it

• up to 36 months per child, for each parent,
• to be used within the first 8 years of the child's life, in a maximum of 3 periods,
• 24 months can be shifted to the period between the 3rd and 8th birthday,
• both parents can take Elternzeit simultaneously.

Registration deadline (Anmeldefrist)

You must notify your employer in writing of Elternzeit:
- 7 weeks before the start, if it begins before the child's 3rd birthday,
- 13 weeks before the start for the period between the 3rd and 8th birthday.

Work and protection

During Elternzeit you can work up to 32 hours per week (Teilzeit). Special Kündigungsschutz (dismissal protection) applies — from the moment you notify Elternzeit, your employer cannot dismiss you; return rules are regulated by your Arbeitsvertrag. Before birth you are protected by Mutterschutz (see pregnancy and childbirth), your child is entitled to Kindergeld, and after returning to work you'll need a place in Kita.