Germany plans to increase its parental allowance, known as Elterngeld. Under proposals reported on 28 October 2026, the monthly minimum payment would rise from €300 to €330, while the maximum would increase from €1,800 to €1,900.
Up to 14 months of support to be retained
The plans also indicate that the government will drop an earlier proposal to shorten the maximum payment period from 14 months to 12. Parents who meet the relevant conditions would continue to be able to receive up to 14 months of basic parental allowance in total. The existing period for single parents is also expected to remain.
Higher income replacement in the first months
Under the draft, each parent would receive 80 percent of their previous net income during the first four months of payments, followed by a rate of 50 percent for subsequent months. Under the current system, basic Elterngeld is generally calculated at around 65 percent of the previous net income, subject to individual circumstances.
The reform has not yet been adopted
The proposals announced by Federal Family Minister Karin Prien are not yet law. The draft legislation is undergoing internal government coordination, and no implementation date has been confirmed. Existing rules therefore remain in force for now.
Elterngeld is intended to partly compensate parents for lost income when they reduce or pause work to care for a newborn. At present, basic parental allowance ranges from €300 to €1,800 per month, while ElterngeldPlus ranges from €150 to €900.
Official information: Federal Family Portal – Parental Allowance.
