Elterngeld for twins
With twins there is one Elterngeld plus a multiple-birth supplement (Mehrlingszuschlag) of €300 a month, €600 with triplets. Work out your amount here.
One Elterngeld, with a supplement
Twins do not mean double Elterngeld, but a multiple-birth supplement: €300 a month for each further child, €150 with ElterngeldPlus. The supplement is added to the amount from your income.
Longer at the same time
Otherwise both of you can take Basic Elterngeld at the same time in only one of the first 12 months of life. With multiples this limit does not apply. Together it stays 14 months of Basic; how long they last is shown in how long is Elterngeld paid?.
12 weeks of maternity leave
After a multiple birth, maternity leave (Mutterschutz) lasts 12 instead of 8 weeks. These months of life count as the mother’s Basic months. Dates are in the maternity leave calculator, the money in the maternity pay calculator.
Sibling bonus
Twins alone do not bring a sibling bonus. If an older child lives with you, there may be one, see second child.
Common questions
Do twins get double Elterngeld?
No. There is one Elterngeld and a €300 multiple-birth supplement a month for the second child, €150 with ElterngeldPlus.
How long is Elterngeld paid for twins?
As long as for one child: 14 months of Basic together or up to 28 months of Plus. But both of you may take Basic at the same time.
Do both parents get the multiple-birth supplement?
Yes, it is added to every monthly amount of Elterngeld that one of you receives.
How long is maternity leave with twins?
6 weeks before the due date and 12 weeks after the birth.
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.
- 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.