Months of life calculator
Elterngeld is paid for months of life (Lebensmonate), not calendar months. Month of life 1 starts on the day of birth. Enter the date to see all 32 with their start and end.
Month of life or calendar month?
A month of life starts on the day with the same number as the birthday and ends the day before in the next month. If the baby is born on 15 March, month of life 1 runs from 15 March to 14 April. Everything about Elterngeld counts in months of life: the split planner, the application deadline and the partner months.
When is Elterngeld paid?
Elterngeld is paid during the month of life it is meant for (section 6 BEEG). The Elterngeldstelle sets the exact day. If the decision (Bescheid) comes later, the earlier months are paid afterwards.
Important months of life
Basic Elterngeld is paid at the latest until the end of month of life 14, ElterngeldPlus and the partnership bonus until the end of month of life 32. How long it lasts for you is shown in how long is Elterngeld paid?.
Common questions
What is a month of life?
The time from the birthday to the day before in the next month. Elterngeld is always applied for and paid in whole months of life.
When does the first month of life start?
On the day of birth. Before the birth you use the due date, afterwards the actual date.
When is Elterngeld transferred?
During the month of life it is meant for (section 6 BEEG). The Elterngeldstelle sets the day.
What happens with a birth on the 31st?
If a month has no 31st, the month of life ends on the last day of the month, and the next one starts on the 1st.
All calculators
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- Part-time income with PlusHow much part-time work before Plus goes down?
- Maternity pay calculatorHow much money during maternity leave, and who pays it.
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- Minijob and ElterngeldA minijob before the birth, and during Basic or Plus.
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- Split planner for twoWho takes which month? Rules checked as you tap.
- How long is Elterngeld paid?How long Basic, Plus and the bonus can last, with dates.
- Deadline calculatorEvery deadline from your due date, as a calendar file.
- How to apply for ElterngeldThe last day for your application (Antrag) and your documents.
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- Parental leave calculatorWhen to notify your employer, dismissal protection, how long.
- Partnership bonus24–32 hours, 2–4 months: does it fit, and how much?
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- Single parentsAll 14 months and the bonus for you alone.
- Twins and multiplesMultiple-birth supplement, maternity leave, Basic at the same time.
- Premature birthUp to 4 extra months of Basic, depending on weeks before the due date.
- Second childSibling bonus with its end date, and skipped months.