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Multiple children playing in the snow in front of a rainbow, next to adults with a wheelchair, walker, and stroller on a sidewalk beside a high-rise building with reindeer decoration. © Familien-Service​/​TU Dortmund

Parental allowance and parental leave

Parental leave

Parental leave is a period of leave from work for parents who care for and raise their child themselves. You do not need to apply for parental allowance in order to take parental leave. However, no salary is paid during parental leave (unless you work part‑time during this period), which is why parental allowance is usually applied for.

Who can take parental leave?

Parental leave (unlike parental allowance) is only available to employees. This means it is not available to doctoral candidates without an employment contract or to scholarship holders. Civil servants can also take parental leave. Temporary employees and auxiliary staff are likewise eligible.

Further requirements:

  • You care for and raise the child yourself.
  • The child lives in your household.
  • You work between 0 and 32 hours per week.

How do I register parental leave and what deadlines apply?

  • To take parental leave, please send a signed notification to your responsible HR officer in the Human Resources Department. A template is available in the  service portal (under Recruitment → Academic staff / Non-academic staff → Application forms).
  • Parental leave must be registered at least seven weeks before the child’s third birthday.
  • Between the child’s third and eighth birthday, parental leave must be registered at least 13 weeks before it begins.

What regulations apply to civil servants?

Civil servants can take parental leave under the same conditions as employees covered by collective agreements. Further information on maternity protection and parental leave for civil servants is available on the website of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The Human Resources Department is also happy to provide individual advice.

More detailed information on parental leave can be found on the website of the Ministry for Children, Youth, Family, Equality, Refuge and Integration of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. The website of the Federal Ministry for Federal Ministry for Family Affairs is also recommended.

Parental allowance

Parental allowance is a financial support benefit for families. It is intended for all parents who care for and raise their child themselves. It compensates for loss of income if parents work less or not at all after the birth of a child. There are three types of parental allowance:

  • Basic Parental Allowance
  • Parental Allowance Plus
  • Partnership Bonus

Please note: If your child was born before 1 September 2021, different rules may apply. Please contact your parental allowance office.

Who receives parental allowance?

Mothers and fathers can receive parental allowance if the following conditions are met:

  • You care for and raise your child yourself.
  • You live with your child in the same household.
  • Your primary residence is in Germany.
  • You do not work at all or work no more than 32 hours per week.

Foreign parents may also receive parental allowance. If you come from another EU country or from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you can generally receive parental allowance in Germany if you live or work here.

How do I apply for parental allowance?

You can apply for parental allowance at the parental allowance office in your city. In Dortmund, please contact the Versorgungsamt (Supply office).

Please note:

  • You can only apply after the birth of your child.
  • You should submit the application within the first 3 months of your child’s life, as parental allowance is paid retroactively for a maximum of three months.
  • You will need your child’s birth certificate and proof of your previous income.

How much parental allowance will I receive?

  • If you were not employed before the birth, you will receive the minimum amount of €300 per month.
  • If you can provide proof of regular net income from the last 12 months, you will receive a replacement rate of 65–67% of your net income.
  • Basic parental allowance can be received for up to 14 months.
  • Federal Ministry's parental allowance calculator can help you get an initial estimate.

Parental Allowance Plus

Parental Allowance Plus can be spread over 28 months and is usually about half of the Basic Parental Allowance.

Further information

Comprehensive information and explanatory videos can be found on the Family Portal of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. The family benefits information tool also provides an overview of the benefits you may be entitled to.