Calculator · D.5

Parental Leave Calculator 2026

Deadlines, entitlement and notice periods under §§ 15–16 BEEG — calculated from your child's birth date.

36 months

Entitlement per parent

up to 24

Transferable months

2026

Data as of

Calculate parental leave

Input

Child's date of birth

Desired start of parental leave (optional)

Leave blank to use end of Mutterschutz as the default start

Multiple birth or premature birth (extends Mutterschutz to 12 weeks)

FAQ — 05

Frequently Asked Questions: Parental Leave (Elternzeit) 2026

Q.01How long does Elternzeit (parental leave) last in Germany?

Each parent is entitled to up to 36 months of Elternzeit (§ 15 para. 2 BEEG). Parental leave can generally be taken until the child's third birthday. With the employer's consent, up to 24 months can be transferred to the period between the child's third and eighth birthday.

Q.02How much notice must I give my employer before starting Elternzeit?

Elternzeit must be notified in writing to the employer. For leave starting within the first three years of the child's life, the notice period is 7 weeks (49 days) before the intended start date (§ 16 para. 1 sentence 1 BEEG). For leave between the third and eighth birthday, 13 weeks (91 days) notice is required. The notice must simultaneously state the periods and extent of the intended leave.

Q.03Can I transfer Elternzeit months to the period between age 3 and 8?

Yes. Up to 24 of the 36 months of Elternzeit entitlement can be transferred to the period between the child's third and eighth birthday with the employer's consent (§ 15 para. 2 sentence 4 BEEG). The employer may refuse the transfer for urgent operational reasons.

Q.04What is the difference between Elternzeit and Elterngeld?

Elternzeit is the employment-law right to unpaid leave from work (§§ 15–16 BEEG). Elterngeld is the state income-replacement benefit during the first 14 months after birth (§§ 1–14 BEEG). Elternzeit can last up to 36 months; Basiselterngeld is paid for a maximum of 14 months (up to 28 months with ElterngeldPlus). Both are independent entitlements — you can take Elternzeit without Elterngeld and receive Elterngeld without taking Elternzeit.

Q.05Can I split Elternzeit into multiple periods?

Yes. Elternzeit can be split into up to three separate periods (§ 16 para. 1 sentence 6 BEEG), with each period lasting at least two months. Further splitting is possible with the employer's consent. Note: the notice period (7 or 13 weeks) applies again for each new period.

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— Editorial

Redaktion Faktencheck

Source Verification & Editorial Quality Assurance

Before every release, our fact-check team reconciles the core figures — Kindergeld rate, Elterngeld thresholds, Kinderzuschlag tiers, Düsseldorfer Tabelle — with the latest official publications. Every cent shown in a calculator is traceable to a specific statute or agency notice.

Fact-checked by:Redaktion Faktencheck — Source Verification & Editorial Quality Assurance

Last reviewed:May 2026

Researched and editorially reviewed. Not legal advice within the meaning of § 2 RDG.

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