Elterngeld for single parents
Single parents can take all 14 months of Basic Elterngeld alone, including the partner months, and the partnership bonus alone. See here how long it lasts for you.
When does this apply?
You get the partner months on your own if you meet the conditions for the single-parent tax relief (Entlastungsbetrag, for example tax class II) and the other parent lives neither with you nor with the child. Or if care by the other parent would put the child at risk or is impossible, for example because of serious illness. As for couples, income has to stop or drop in two months of life; maternity pay instead of salary counts.
Partnership bonus alone
If you work 24 to 32 hours a week, there are 2 to 4 months of partnership bonus in a row for you alone, at the level of ElterngeldPlus. No income needs to have dropped beforehand.
How much?
The amount depends on your income before the birth: 65 to 100% of the Elterngeld net income, at least €300 and at most €1,800 a month. See the Elterngeld table and the Elterngeld calculator.
Common questions
How long do single parents get Elterngeld?
Up to 14 months of Basic Elterngeld or up to 28 months of ElterngeldPlus, plus 2 to 4 months of partnership bonus. With maternity pay the first months count as Basic, so Plus runs a little shorter.
Am I a single parent if the other parent looks after the child regularly?
If the child lives at least a third of the time with each parent, you do not get the partner months on your own. If in doubt, the Elterngeldstelle advises you for free.
How do I show that I am a single parent?
For example with tax class II or a declaration in the application. What exactly is needed is in your federal state’s application form.
Is the monthly amount calculated differently?
No, exactly as for couples. A sibling bonus and a multiple-birth supplement can be added.
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.
- 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.