Applying for a job after parental leave (Elternzeit) is mostly a question of presentation. Your CV should name the leave clearly and factually, show your professional skills, and leave out private family details that do not belong in an application.
Short answer: Name parental leave on your CV factually, with month and year, and without justification or family details. Under German law, parental leave can run until the child reaches the age of three, and the request to your employer must be made in text form at least seven weeks before it starts (section 16 BEEG, as of November 2026).
The most important points in brief
- List periods with month and year, including parental leave.
- Describe a long break briefly and factually, without apology.
- Parental leave is not a flaw. What matters is what you say about your qualifications.
- Questions about family planning say little about your suitability. If you are rejected because of such a characteristic, the AGG sets a two-month deadline for claims.
- You request parental leave from your employer in text form, at least seven weeks before it starts.
Does parental leave have to appear on your CV?
Parental leave is an interruption to your career like any other, so it belongs on your CV whenever the gap would otherwise look unexplained. The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) recommends stating periods with month and year. For longer gaps, it suggests a short, factual note, for example care for relatives or further training. For the general logic of gaps, see Gap in your CV: how to explain it in your application (in German).
How should you word parental leave on your CV?
A single line is usually enough. Give the period, the term parental leave and, if you worked during the leave, the employer and the tasks. The table shows three common versions.
| Situation | Wording on your CV | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Full parental leave | MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY: parental leave | No justification needed |
| Parental leave with a part-time job | MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY: parental leave, part-time work at [employer] | Shows continuous work experience |
| Parental leave with further training | MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY: parental leave, project management course (certificate) | List only what you can document |
Keep the order consistent with the rest of your CV. Your latest position comes first, and parental leave fits into the timeline like any other period. That makes the layout calm and easy to follow.
Which questions may employers ask, and what happens after discrimination?
Questions about wanting children, pregnancy or family planning may touch on the prohibition of discrimination in the German General Equal Treatment Act (AGG). If you are not hired because of a protected characteristic, you may be able to claim compensation under certain conditions. For applicants who are not hired, the amount is capped: compensation may not exceed three months’ salary if you would not have been hired even without the discrimination.
The claim must be made in writing within two months. For applications, this period starts when the rejection reaches you. Whether discrimination occurred depends on the individual case, and a binding assessment requires legal advice rather than this overview.
| Point | Rule under section 15 AGG |
|---|---|
| Amount if not hired | At most three monthly salaries, if you would not have been hired without the discrimination |
| Deadline | Two months, from when the rejection reaches you |
| Form | In writing |
How do you handle questions about family planning in an interview?
A calm, factual answer often works best. You can ask what relevance the question has for the role, and then answer about your availability and working style. When the start date comes up, name a realistic period. Once an offer becomes concrete, you can discuss your leave planning openly.
Parental leave is also no reason to avoid talking about your skills. Put the expertise you built in your working years and any further training at the centre of the conversation. A short preparation with the guide on job interviews (in German) helps you give steady answers.
How do you plan your return to work?
Parental leave must be requested in time. Under the Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act (BEEG), you request leave for the period up to the child’s third birthday from your employer at least seven weeks before it begins, in text form. If you want to apply during your leave, keep the end date in view so that a start date fits.
- Fix the end date of your parental leave and note it in your calendar.
- Update your CV with month and year as soon as the period has ended.
- Check which skills have changed since your last job and collect proof of them.
- Apply for roles with a start date that fits your leave and name your preferred start.
- Clarify in the interview whether part-time or flexible working is possible.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to explain why I was on parental leave?
A detailed explanation is usually not needed. The CV shows the period, and the cover letter shows your motivation for the role. If you want to say more, keep it to one sentence that relates to the requirements of the job.
Can I mention parental leave in my cover letter?
Yes, but briefly. One sentence that names your return and your availability is enough. Most of the space should go to your qualifications and your interest in the role.
Can I apply before my leave ends?
Yes. Name a realistic start date and do not commit beyond what you can agree with your employer. Raise your return openly once an offer is on the table.
What applies if I work part-time during parental leave?
Part-time work during parental leave counts as employment and can be listed as such. The rules are set in your employment contract and in the BEEG. Check the arrangement before you confirm a start date.
How does a break of several years look to recruiters?
Recruiters mostly look at what you did since your last job and whether it fits the role. A break of several years is easier to explain with further training, volunteering or project work. A clear timeline makes the CV easy to read.
What to do now
- Enter the period of parental leave with month and year in your CV.
- Write one sentence for your cover letter that names your return and your availability.
- Prepare factual answers to questions about family planning.
- If a rejection may be linked to a protected characteristic, note the two-month deadline and have the case checked by a lawyer.
Related articles
- Applying for your first job: timeline from advert to contract
- Gap in your CV: how to explain it in your application
- CV for students: step-by-step guide (in German)
- Further Education After Graduation: Options and Funding
- Writing an application with AI: what is allowed and what stands out
Sources: Section 16 BEEG, request for parental leave (gesetze-im-internet.de, retrieved November 2026, in German), Section 15 AGG, compensation and damages (gesetze-im-internet.de, retrieved November 2026, in German), Federal Employment Agency, Bewerbungskompass (retrieved November 2026, in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
