Elterngeld after a premature birth
If your baby comes at least 6 weeks before the due date, there are extra months of Basic Elterngeld: 1 to 4, depending on how early. Enter the due date and the date of birth.
Extra months
At least 6 weeks before the due date there is 1 extra month of Basic Elterngeld, from 8 weeks 2, from 12 weeks 3 and from 16 weeks 4. Basic Elterngeld then lasts correspondingly longer, up to month of life 15 to 18.
At the same time, and maternity leave
After a premature birth both of you may take Basic Elterngeld at the same time for longer. After a premature birth in the medical sense (according to the doctor or midwife, for example under 2,500 grams) maternity leave lasts 12 instead of 8 weeks, plus the days missing before the birth, at most 6 weeks. Dates are in the maternity leave calculator.
What the Elterngeldstelle needs
The due date from the doctor’s or midwife’s certificate and the date of birth. You apply for the extra months with the usual Elterngeld application.
Common questions
How many extra months are there after a premature birth?
Depending on the weeks before the due date, 1 to 4 monthly amounts of Basic Elterngeld: from 6, 8, 12 and 16 weeks.
When does a baby count as premature?
For Elterngeld, the gap to the due date counts: at least 6 weeks. For the longer maternity leave, the medical assessment counts, for example a birth weight under 2,500 grams.
Does ElterngeldPlus get longer too?
The extra Basic months can be swapped for Plus like the others. But Plus and bonus end as usual at the latest with month of life 32.
May we both take Basic at the same time after a premature birth?
Yes. After a birth at least 6 weeks before the due date, the usual limit of one month does not apply.
All calculators
- Elterngeld calculatorNet income, replacement rate, Basic and Plus – step by step, with the law section.
- Elterngeld tableBasic and Plus for €500 to €3,000 net, at a glance.
- Basic or Plus?Basic against Plus with part-time work, based on your numbers.
- 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.
- Elterngeld for civil servantsElterngeld from civil servant pay, without social contributions.
- Minijob and ElterngeldA minijob before the birth, and during Basic or Plus.
- Tax class: the ruleWhich tax class counts – and from when. No recommendation.
- Income limitAbove €175,000 there is no Elterngeld. Which year counts.
- 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.
- Months of life calculatorAll 32 months of life with dates, and which one is running now.
- 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.
- Maternity leave calculatorStart, end and money during maternity leave (Mutterschutz).
- Parental leave calculatorWhen to notify your employer, dismissal protection, how long.
- Partnership bonus24–32 hours, 2–4 months: does it fit, and how much?
- Elterngeld for fathersPartner months: how many, when, at the same time or after.
- Single parentsAll 14 months and the bonus for you alone.
- Twins and multiplesMultiple-birth supplement, maternity leave, Basic at the same time.
- Second childSibling bonus with its end date, and skipped months.