EU citizens in Germany
As a rule, the same rights as Germans. We check what changes when a job, a benefit or your partner is in another EU country.
Elterngeld advice in English.
New to the German system? We explain your Elterngeld in plain English, plan the months with you and, if you like, prepare the German application with you.
15 minutes on the phone, free of charge. Then you decide.
We are a private advisory company, not a public authority. You can apply at the Elterngeldstelle for free.
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Four rules international families should know
Each one is quick to explain. Which of them apply to you depends on your citizenship, your permit and where you both work.
1. Your permit decides
Without EU, EEA or Swiss citizenship, only the residence titles in § 1 (7) BEEG count: for example a settlement permit, an EU Blue Card or a residence permit that allows work for at least six months.
Read more (German)2. EU citizens: same terms as Germans
Citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland who live in Germany generally get Elterngeld on the same terms as Germans. It gets complex when a job or a benefit is in a second country.
Read more (German)3. Only German-taxed income counts
The amount depends on income that is taxable in Germany. Comparable benefits from abroad are deducted, but as a rule 300 € stays untouched.
Read more (German)4. Three months back, no more
Elterngeld is paid for at most the three months before the month in which your application arrives. A late application, or a permit that arrives late, costs money.
Read more (German)
Does this sound familiar?
Then a short call brings clarity before you apply.
- The forms and letters are in German, and you are not sure what each box means.
- You do not know if your residence permit gives you a right to Elterngeld.
- You or your partner earned money abroad, and nobody can tell you if it counts.
- You want to plan the months with your partner before the deadlines pass.
Who we help
Four situations where our help makes the most difference.
Non-EU citizens with a permit
Blue Card, settlement permit or a work permit: we check if your title gives you a claim, and what happens when it changes.
Couples across two countries
One parent works in Germany, the other one abroad. We sort out which country pays first and which income counts.
Expats who want it done
You know your case is simple, but not the German forms. With the application service, we prepare them with you.
How it works
You make no commitment before we have talked. You pay only when it is clear that we can help.
- 1.Free first call15 minutes on the phone, in English. We listen, look at your situation and tell you how we can help.
- 2.Your planIn the consultation we calculate your Elterngeld, check your permit and income, and plan the months with you.
- 3.Your applicationIf you choose the application service, we prepare the forms with you and check the decision when it arrives.
Packages and prices
The first call is free. After it, you choose what you need. All prices are one-off and include VAT.
Consultation
For you if you want to fill in the application yourself and know the best plan first.
129 €
- Personal consultation by video call or phone, in English
- Your individual Elterngeld calculation
- Planning of the months and of your parental leave
- Notes on social insurance and tax
- All deadlines and the steps of the application
- Questions answered for up to 3 months
Application service
Most chosenFor you if you want to hand over forms, documents and deadlines completely.
219 €
Includes the full consultation, plus:
- We prepare your complete Elterngeld application
- We prepare your Kindergeld application
- A checklist of every document you need
- We check the decision (Bescheid) and object if needed
- Questions answered for up to 12 months
- One personal contact until the Elterngeld is granted
Income limit check
For you if your household income is close to the limit for Elterngeld.
150 €
- 30 to 45 minutes of focused consultation
- The current income limits explained
- A calculation for your situation
- What the limit means for your claim
- Strategies for your situation
- A written record of the calculation
Questions we hear often
Permits, income from abroad, deadlines and what our help costs.
Can I get Elterngeld if I am not German?
In many cases, yes. Citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland who live in Germany generally have the same rights as Germans. Other nationals need one of the residence titles listed in § 1 (7) BEEG, for example a settlement permit, an EU long-term residence permit, an EU Blue Card or a residence permit that allows work for at least six months. Some titles for study, training or job search only count if you also work or take parental leave.
Is the consultation really in English?
Yes. The free first call, the consultation and our emails about your appointment are in English. The application forms and the letters from the Elterngeldstelle stay in German. We go through them with you.
How much is Elterngeld?
Basiselterngeld usually replaces 65 to 67 % of the net income you lose after the birth, and up to 100 % for lower incomes. It is at least 300 € and at most 1,800 € a month. ElterngeldPlus pays at most half of that, for twice as many months.
Does income from abroad count?
For the amount, only income that is taxable in Germany counts. Where you worked and where your employer sits do not decide this alone. Comparable parental benefits from another country are deducted from the German Elterngeld, but as a rule 300 € stays untouched. We check this for your case.
When should I apply?
Soon after the birth. Elterngeld is paid back for at most the three months before the month in which your application arrives, so a late application costs money. A missing document is no reason to wait: you can send it later, within the deadline the Elterngeldstelle sets.
Can I apply myself, for free?
Yes. You can always apply at your Elterngeldstelle, and it costs nothing. We are a private advisory company, not a public authority, and our help is optional. It makes most sense when your case involves two countries, several incomes or a plan for both parents.
What does your help cost?
The first call is free and takes 15 minutes. After it, you decide. The consultation costs 129 €, the application service 219 € and the income limit check 150 €.
Sources (in German)
Let's look at your case together.
In the free first call we look at your situation, your permit and your income. Then you decide in your own time.
4.9from 133 Google reviews2,000+ families supported