Parental leave in Germany (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: Mothers get 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after birth as protected leave (12 after a premature or multiple birth). Parental leave runs until the child is 3, with up to 24 months between ages 3 and 8, and Elterngeld pays 67% of earlier income up to EUR 1,800 a month. Dismissal is barred during pregnancy, after birth and during parental leave.

RuleWhat applies
Maternity leaveTaking parental leaveEmployers may not employ a pregnant woman in the last 6 weeks before the due date unless she expressly agrees, and may not employ a mother for 8 weeks after birth. The period after birth is 12 weeks after a premature birth, a multiple birth, or (on her request) if the child is diagnosed with a disability within 8 weeks. [1]
Paternity leaveTaking parental leave⚠ Not yet verified
Parental leaveTaking parental leaveParental leave (Elternzeit) can be taken until the child's third birthday, by each parent alone or by both together. Up to 24 months can be taken between the third and the eighth birthday. The mother's maternity protection period counts towards the limit. [2]
Pay during leaveTaking parental leaveParental allowance (Elterngeld) is 67% of income from work before the birth, between EUR 300 and EUR 1,800 a month; the percentage rises for low incomes and falls to 65% for high ones. Parents share 12 months of basic Elterngeld, plus 2 more months if one parent's income is reduced in two months. During maternity protection, mothers in statutory health insurance receive Mutterschaftsgeld and the employer pays a top-up. [3]
Job protectionTaking parental leaveAn employer may not dismiss an employee from the time parental leave is requested (earliest 8 weeks before leave that starts before the child's third birthday, 14 weeks before leave between the third and eighth birthday) and during the leave; a state authority can allow dismissal in exceptional cases. Separately, dismissal is not allowed during pregnancy and until the end of the protection period after birth, at least 4 months after birth. [4]

Notes

  • A separate statutory paternity leave was not found in the laws read for this page. Fathers and partners can take parental leave and Elterngeld under the BEEG (see Parental leave).

Sources

  1. Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 3 MuSchG - Schutzfristen vor und nach der Entbindung (Mutterschutzgesetz) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 15 BEEG - Anspruch auf Elternzeit (Bundeselterngeld- und Elternzeitgesetz) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  3. Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 2 BEEG - Höhe des Elterngeldes (Bundeselterngeld- und Elternzeitgesetz) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  4. Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 18 BEEG - Kündigungsschutz (Bundeselterngeld- und Elternzeitgesetz) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources

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