Parental leave in your first job (Elternzeit) is possible as soon as you have an employment contract, and for many people starting a career it is the first big test at work. This guide explains how long you can take parental leave, how parental allowance (Elterngeld) is calculated and what happens to your health insurance.
Short answer: You can take parental leave until your child turns three, plus up to 24 months between the third and the eighth birthday (§ 15 BEEG, last updated October 2026). Parental allowance is at least 300 and at most 1,800 euros per month (§ 2 BEEG). While you receive it, you stay in statutory health insurance and pay no contributions (§ 224 SGB V).
The Most Important Points at a Glance
- You can take parental leave until your child reaches the third birthday. Up to 24 months of it can be taken between the third and the eighth birthday (§ 15 BEEG).
- Parental allowance is between 300 and 1,800 euros per month and depends on your net income before the birth (§ 2 BEEG).
- As a compulsorily insured employee you remain a member while parental allowance is paid or parental leave is taken (§ 192 SGB V).
- While you receive parental allowance you pay no health insurance contributions (§ 224 SGB V).
- If you are statutorily insured, your child is usually covered through your family insurance (§ 10 SGB V).
- Notify your parental leave to your employer in good time and in writing. The deadlines are set by law.
How Long Can I Take Parental Leave?
Parental leave is available to employees who look after and bring up their child and live with the child in the same household. The entitlement lasts until the child turns three. You then decide how much of it you take within this framework. The table shows the main periods.
| Period | Rule | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Until the child’s third birthday | Entitlement to parental leave | Leave can be split into several blocks |
| Between the third birthday and the completed eighth year | Up to 24 months possible | Agreement with the employer is needed |
| Adoption or placement in foster care | Up to three years from placement, at most until the eighth year of life | Applies to adopted children and children in full-time foster care |
The source for these periods is § 15 BEEG (accessed October 2026). For the entitlement it matters that you look after the child yourself. Taking leave beyond the third birthday usually requires agreement with your employer.
How High Is Parental Allowance in a First Job?
Parental allowance replaces part of the net income you lose. The basis is your income before the birth. You receive at least 300 euros and at most 1,800 euros per month (§ 2 BEEG, last updated October 2026). Early in a career income is often still low, so the minimum amount can matter more than people expect. As a principle the rate is 65 percent of the lost net income, and it rises for lower incomes. The examples below follow this principle. If you are still studying, our guide to BAföG parental allowance explains the special rules.
Assumption: your net income before the birth is 2,200 euros. Then 2,200 times 65 percent gives 1,430 euros of parental allowance per month.
Assumption: your net income is 3,000 euros. The calculation would give 1,950 euros, but the cap of 1,800 euros applies, so you receive 1,800 euros.
You reach the cap at a net income of about 2,770 euros (1,800 divided by 0.65 gives 2,769.23 euros). The Elterngeld office checks your documents to confirm whether a higher rate applies in your case.
Do I Keep My Health Insurance?
Yes, if you are compulsorily insured. Under § 192 para. 1 no. 2 SGB V, compulsory membership is kept for as long as parental allowance is received or parental leave is taken. While you receive parental allowance you pay no contributions (§ 224 para. 1 SGB V). This exemption covers health insurance. Whether contributions apply during parental leave without parental allowance, and how long-term care insurance is handled, is best clarified directly with your sickness fund.
Your child is usually covered through your family insurance if you are in the statutory system (§ 10 SGB V). If you have private insurance, you must register your child with your private insurer. The deadlines are set out in your tariff conditions, so check them early. For the start of your cover, see our guide on health insurance at career start (in German).
What Applies Around Maternity Protection and Maternity Benefit?
Before and after the birth, maternity protection periods apply, during which you may not work. Employees with statutory health insurance receive maternity benefit (Mutterschaftsgeld) from their sickness fund during this time. Your employer may pay a top-up. The exact rules depend on whether you are statutorily or privately insured and on how your employment is set up. Ask your sickness fund and HR department early which documents they need.
Which Rights Do I Have in My First Job?
During parental leave special protection against dismissal applies. In principle your employer may not give you notice during this time. Whether and how much you work during parental leave is set out in an agreement with your employer and in the Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act (Bundeselterngeld- und Elternzeitgesetz). Part-time work during leave is possible but must be agreed with your employer. Check your employment contract and any collective agreement before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take parental leave during my probationary period?
Yes. The entitlement depends on the employment relationship, not on how long you have been employed. Still, give notice of your leave in good time and in writing so that all deadlines are met.
Do I get parental allowance if I had no income before the birth?
Yes. If you had no income before the birth, you receive the minimum amount of 300 euros per month (§ 2 BEEG, last updated October 2026). This can apply to people who have a child straight after their studies and had no earnings before.
Do I still pay health insurance contributions during parental leave?
While you receive parental allowance you pay no contributions (§ 224 para. 1 SGB V). Without parental allowance a contribution obligation may apply. This depends on your situation and should be clarified with your sickness fund before the leave starts.
Is my child insured automatically?
If you are statutorily insured, your child is usually covered through your family insurance (§ 10 SGB V). With private insurance you must register your child on time. Delays can cause gaps or disadvantages, so act early.
What to Do Next
- Notify your parental leave to your employer in good time and in writing. The deadlines follow the Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act.
- Ask your sickness fund or your private insurer how contributions and cover work during parental leave.
- Apply for parental allowance at the responsible Elterngeld office. Keep the birth certificate and proof of income ready.
- Ask the HR department to explain the rules for part-time work and for returning to the job.
Related Reading
- Studying with a Child: Money, Benefits and Insurance
- BAföG Parental Allowance 2026: Amounts and Example
- Student Family Insurance 2026: Income Limits and Age
- Parental allowance during studies: minimum amount, application and BAföG (in German)
- Self-employed after your studies: health insurance and pension
Sources: § 2 BEEG, amount of parental allowance (accessed October 2026), § 15 BEEG, parental leave (accessed October 2026), § 192 SGB V, continuation of membership (accessed October 2026), § 224 SGB V, exemption from contributions (accessed October 2026), § 10 SGB V, family insurance (accessed October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
