Number format: this calculator uses German notation throughout — a comma is the decimal separator and a dot groups thousands. “1.234,56” means one thousand two hundred thirty-four euros and fifty-six cents. The figures come from German tax law, so they are shown the way German authorities write them.
Parental allowance (Elterngeld)
Replaces part of the earned income lost after a birth: 65 to 100 percent of the standardised net pay beforehand.
In plain language
Elterngeld replaces part of the income that stops after a birth — as a rule 65 to 67 % of your previous net pay. Earn little beforehand and you get a higher percentage; earn a lot and you hit the ceiling of 1.800 €. The minimum is 300 € a month, even with no previous income. Note: above 175.000 € of taxable income in the previous year the entitlement lapses entirely.
In detail
§ 2 (1) BEEG names 67 % of income from employment before the birth, capped at 1.800 € per month; under subsection 3 the assessable income is capped at 2.770 € and under subsection 4 the minimum is 300 €. The replacement rate is sliding under subsection 2: below 1.000 € it rises by 0,1 percentage points for every 2 € of shortfall up to 100 %, and above 1.200 € it falls by 0,1 percentage points for every 2 € of excess down to 65 %. § 2a BEEG grants a sibling bonus of 10 %, at least 75 €, and 300 € per additional child in a multiple birth. The basis is the standardised Elterngeld net figure of §§ 2c to 2f BEEG, not the net pay on the payslip: gross pay less one twelfth of the employee standard deduction, the taxes from the official wage tax program and a flat 21 % for social contributions.
Worked example
3.000 € gross per month (tax class IV): less 102,50 € for the twelfth of the standard deduction, 298,00 € of taxes and 630,00 € of flat-rate social contributions leaves an Elterngeld net figure of 1.969,50 €. As that is above 1.200 €, the minimum replacement rate of 65 % applies: 1.280,18 € basic Elterngeld. With the sibling bonus (10 % = 128,02 €) and twins (+300 €) it comes to 1.708,20 € per month. As ElterngeldPlus it would be half as much — 854,10 € — for twice as long.
In brief
67 % as a rule, more on low incomes, 65 % on higher ones; 300 to 1.800 euros a month.
Legal basis: § 2 BEEG · as at 2026