How much Elterngeld? The table
Basic Elterngeld is 65 to 100% of your Elterngeld net income, at least €300 and at most €1,800 a month. You reach the cap from about €2,770 Elterngeld net income. The tables show the amounts in between.
Elterngeld by Elterngeld net income
The Elterngeld net income is not the net pay on your payslip: the Elterngeldstelle deducts flat rates for tax and social contributions from your gross pay. The Elterngeld calculator works out your figure.
| Elterngeld net | Rate | Basic | Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| €500 | 92% | €460.00 | €230.00 |
| €750 | 79.5% | €596.25 | €298.13 |
| €1,000 | 67% | €670.00 | €335.00 |
| €1,200 | 67% | €804.00 | €402.00 |
| €1,500 | 65% | €975.00 | €487.50 |
| €1,750 | 65% | €1,137.50 | €568.75 |
| €2,000 | 65% | €1,300.00 | €650.00 |
| €2,250 | 65% | €1,462.50 | €731.25 |
| €2,500 | 65% | €1,625.00 | €812.50 |
| €2,770 | 65% | €1,800.00Cap | €900.00 |
| €3,000 | 65% | €1,800.00Cap | €900.00 |
At most €1,800 Basic Elterngeld and €900 ElterngeldPlus a month, at least €300 and €150. A sibling bonus and a multiple-birth supplement can be added. § 2 Abs. 1 BEEG (guidelines 2.1) § 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 BEEG (guidelines 2.1.2) § 4a Abs. 2 BEEG (guidelines 4a.2.1)
Elterngeld by gross pay (employees)
Calculated for births in 2026 with tax class I or IV without factor, statutory health insurance, no church tax and no child allowance on the payslip, regular gross pay without one-off payments. Other details change the amount; the calculator uses yours.
| Gross pay | Elterngeld net | Basic | Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| €1,500 | €1,078.48 | €722.58 | €361.29 |
| €2,000 | €1,373.09 | €892.51 | €446.26 |
| €2,500 | €1,666.34 | €1,083.12 | €541.56 |
| €3,000 | €1,952.50 | €1,269.13 | €634.57 |
| €3,500 | €2,231.50 | €1,450.48 | €725.24 |
| €4,000 | €2,503.59 | €1,627.33 | €813.67 |
| €4,500 | €2,768.50 | €1,799.53 | €899.77 |
| €5,000 | €3,026.34 | €1,800.00 | €900.00 |
| €5,500 | €3,277.17 | €1,800.00 | €900.00 |
| €6,000 | €3,502.00 | €1,800.00 | €900.00 |
§ 2e Abs. 1 bis 3 BEEG (guidelines 2e.1.2) § 2f Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 1 BEEG (guidelines 2f.1.2.1)
How the amount comes about
The replacement rate is 67% of the Elterngeld net income. Below €1,000 it rises in small steps up to 100%. Above €1,200 it falls in small steps to 65%, which is reached at €1,240. You get at least €300 and at most €1,800 Basic Elterngeld a month.
ElterngeldPlus
Without income after the birth, ElterngeldPlus is half as much as Basic Elterngeld, but lasts twice as long. With part-time work, Plus often stays the same, see part-time income with Plus.
What can be added
With an older child under 3 (or two under 6) there is a 10% sibling bonus, at least €75, see second child. With twins, €300 a month is added for the second child, see twins.
Common questions
How much Elterngeld do I get with €2,000 net?
With €2,000 Elterngeld net income it is 65%, so €1,300 Basic Elterngeld or €650 ElterngeldPlus a month. The net pay on your payslip is usually a little different from the Elterngeld net income.
From which net income do you get the cap?
From about €2,770 Elterngeld net income: 65% of that is €1,800. Above that it stays at €1,800 Basic Elterngeld a month.
What is the minimum Elterngeld?
€300 Basic Elterngeld or €150 ElterngeldPlus a month, even without income before the birth.
What percentage of net pay is Elterngeld?
65 to 100% of the Elterngeld net income: 67% between €1,000 and €1,200, up to 100% below that, down to 65% above that.
Is the net pay on my payslip the Elterngeld net income?
No. The Elterngeldstelle uses flat rates for tax and social contributions, not your actual deductions. The Elterngeld calculator shows every step.