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Elterngeld for a second child

With an older child under 3 you get the sibling bonus (Geschwisterbonus). Here you see how long it runs, month of life by month of life.

Step 1 of 2

If your baby is already here, use the date of birth.

Elterngeld for the older child in the assessment period

If you got Elterngeld for your older child in the 12 months before the birth, those months are skipped. Earlier months count instead.

Step 1 of 3

If your baby is already here, use the date of birth.

The sibling bonus

Plus 10 percent, at least €75 per month (€37.50 with Plus), as long as an older child under 3 lives with you, or two older children under 6. For children with a disability the age is 14. The bonus ends with the month of life in which the older child turns 3.

Skipped months

Calendar months with Elterngeld for the older child within its first 14 months of life do not count, nor do months with maternity protection. The period goes further back instead. If you apply for it, they count after all.

Common questions

Do I get less Elterngeld for my second child?

Not automatically. Months with Elterngeld for the older child are skipped so they do not pull your income down.

How long is the sibling bonus paid?

Until the end of the month of life in which the older child turns 3 (with two older children: 6; with a disability: 14).

Is there a bonus for twins?

Twins alone do not trigger the sibling bonus. For them there is the multiple-birth supplement of €300 per additional baby. If an older child under 3 also lives with you, the sibling bonus is added.

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