Parental leave "Elternzeit" is a leave from work for which the parents of babies and young children can apply. If you want to spend more time with your child, you can "go on parental leave". During this time, you do not work or do so only for limited hours. Mothers are not the only ones who use such an opportunity in Germany. After parental leave, you can return to your previous job. To learn about the financial options you and your family have during parental leave, check our chapter " Parental Allowance ".
You are an employee when employed by a company, organisation or government agency. The parental leave regulations also apply to people who work part-time, have a mini-job and those who are currently undergoing vocational training or further education.
However, the self-employed, unemployed, housewives and house-husbands, pupils in school and university students cannot go on parental leave. Please note : There are special regulations for civil servants, judges and soldiers. For more information, seek advice from your human resources department or welfare service. Parental leave regulations apply to both your biological child and the biological child of your partner, as well as your foster children and adopted children.
In exceptional cases, you can also take parental leave for your grandchild or nieces and nephews. Important : Of course, you can still have your child cared for by a daycare centre or a baby minder during parental leave. To learn more about childcare, visit our chapter " Kita ". Parental allowance is, in fact, state-funded financial support for parents with small children. Read more in our chapter "Parental Allowance". If you work part-time during your parental leave, you will receive a salary from your employer and can also apply for parental allowance.
Each parent can take up to three years of parental leave per child. In the case of the mother, however, this three-year-long parental leave includes the legally prescribed, six-weeks-long after-birth maternity leave during which the mother has to stay home. Fathers can start parental leave the earliest at childbirth and mothers should start theirs after the end of their six-weeks-long maternity leave.
