Family Benefits

Child Allowance

Child benefit is applied for at the Family Benefits Office, which also pays it out.

Parents are entitled to child benefits at least until the child turns 18. In addition, child benefits are paid until the child turns 25 if the child is attending school, undergoing initial vocational training, or pursuing a first degree. Children of legal age who have already completed vocational training or a degree program and are pursuing or awaiting a second vocational training program or degree program are only entitled to child benefit if they are engaged in “harmless” employment. This includes mini-jobs or employment where the total regular weekly working hours do not exceed 20 hours.

If the child is unemployed and registered with the Employment Agency in Germany or the Job Center, they are entitled to child benefit until the age of 21. They may earn additional income through a mini-job. If the child has a disability and is unable to support themselves, child benefit may be paid without an age limit. However, the disability must have occurred before the age of 25.

As a general rule, child benefit is paid primarily in the country of employment. This applies, for example, when parents live and work in different EU countries, or when only one parent is employed and the family lives with their child in another member state.

If both parents are employed in different EU member states, the right to benefits takes precedence in the country of employment that is also the child’s country of residence. It is important to note that the other country may be secondarily obligated to pay benefits. In that case, any difference in benefits would be paid by that country if the corresponding benefit there is higher—for example, the difference between child benefit in the Czech Republic and Germany for a cross-border worker from Germany who is employed in the Czech Republic.

Child benefit is not payable if a child is entitled to benefits paid abroad that are comparable to child benefit, the child allowance, or the child supplement. Foreign benefits also preclude entitlement to child benefit even if they are lower than the German child benefit. However, if these benefits are granted by another EU member state (e.g., the Czech Republic or Poland), there may be an entitlement to a difference payment in the form of partial child benefit.

As of January 1, 2026, the monthly child benefit amount for each eligible child is 259 euros.

The responsible family benefits office for cross-border workers from the Czech Republic:

Federal Employment Agency

Baden-Württemberg West Family Benefits Office

76088 Karlsruhe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Maternity Leave

Maternity leave applies to all pregnant and breastfeeding women who are employed.

To ensure compliance with maternity protection regulations, women should inform their employer of their pregnancy and the expected date of delivery as soon as they become aware of these facts. Protection against termination of employment applies during pregnancy and for 4 months after delivery.

Expectant mothers may only be required to work during the last six weeks before delivery with their consent. After childbirth, there is a work restriction of eight weeks, or twelve weeks in the case of premature or multiple births. In the case of medically indicated premature births or other early deliveries, the maternity leave period following childbirth is extended by the number of days that could not be taken prior to delivery.

If a disability is diagnosed in the child within eight weeks after childbirth, the mother may apply for an extension of the protection period from eight to twelve weeks.

To protect women from financial hardship during this time, the Maternity Protection Act provides for various maternity benefits:

  • maternity allowance
  • the employer’s contribution to the maternity allowance during the maternity leave period
  • wages during periods when work is prohibited outside the maternity leave periods (so-called “maternity leave wages”)

Maternity allowance is paid for the maternity leave periods and for the day of childbirth. Outside the maternity leave periods, it is possible to receive maternity pay. The maternity leave periods typically begin 6 weeks before the birth and typically end 8 weeks after the birth.

The amount of maternity allowance is based on the average net pay for the last three months, up to a maximum of 13 euros per day. The average is calculated from the last three calendar months for which pay was processed prior to the start of the maternity leave period.

If the net pay during this period was higher than 13 euros per day, the employer pays the difference—the employer’s contribution to the maternity allowance.

The application for maternity benefits is submitted to the health insurance provider. The employer’s contribution to maternity benefits is requested from the employer. An informal letter is usually sufficient for this. If the employer requests a certificate of pregnancy, it can be issued by a doctor or midwife. The employer bears the costs for this.

Employers are required to notify the relevant regulatory authority (state occupational safety and health or labor inspection offices) of the pregnancy. Employers must employ a pregnant or breastfeeding mother during pregnancy and after childbirth in such a way, and arrange her workplace in such a manner, that she is adequately protected from health hazards.

In cases of doubt, the regulatory authority will determine whether the specific workplace and working conditions could pose a risk to the expectant or breastfeeding mother. Women and employers may contact the regulatory authority if they have any questions or uncertainties.

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Parental Allowance

Employees are entitled to parental leave until their child’s third birthday. During this period, they are not required to work—their job is guaranteed, and employers may not terminate their employment. Mothers and fathers may take parental leave individually or jointly. It is important that they live in the same household as the child, primarily care for and raise the child themselves, and work no more than 32 hours per week during parental leave.

The application for parental leave until the child’s third birthday must be submitted to the employer no later than seven weeks before the start of the parental leave. After the parental leave, the employer must offer an equivalent position.

There are two types of parental allowance: basic parental allowance and Parental Allowance Plus. With Parental Allowance Plus, mothers and fathers can combine receiving parental allowance with part-time work. Parents who return to work part-time early receive parental allowance for a longer period.

Citizens of EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are entitled to parental allowance just like German citizens if they are employed in Germany or reside in Germany.

Parental allowance amounts to approximately two-thirds of the parent’s previous income—at least 300 euros and no more than 1,800 euros. Parental allowance is paid for twelve months. Within the first 12 months of the child’s life, parents may take only one month of basic parental allowance together. This does not apply to parents of multiple births or parents of premature babies.

Parental Allowance Plus is calculated in the same way as basic parental allowance, but amounts to no more than half of the parental allowance to which parents without part-time income would be entitled after the birth. In return, it is paid for twice the duration: one month of basic parental allowance = two months of Parental Allowance Plus.

Parents who opt for a shared-time arrangement receive a partnership bonus: They receive 2, 3, or 4 additional months of Parental Allowance Plus if they work between 24 and 32 hours per week simultaneously during this period. This also applies to separated parents who work part-time together as parents. Single parents are entitled to the full partnership bonus.

More information on parental allowance: https://familienportal.de/familienportal/familienleistungen/elterngeld

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Saxony State Child-Rearing Allowance

Parents living in the Free State of Saxony can receive a state child-rearing allowance during their child’s second or third year of life.

Through the state child-rearing allowance, the Free State of Saxony provides special support to parents who have decided to care for their child at home for an extended period and who, for example, wish to take the full three years of statutory parental leave. If you claim a spot for your child in a state-funded daycare center or state funding for in-home child care, you are generally not eligible for the state child-rearing allowance.

For more information on the State Child-Rearing Allowance: www.familie.sachsen.de.

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Child Supplement

The child supplement is additional financial support for working parents who earn enough to support themselves but do not have enough—or barely have enough—to cover their family’s entire needs. Parents or legal guardians who receive child benefits can apply for this supplement. The child supplement is paid out together with the child benefits.

The child supplement is paid for children who are under 25 years of age, unmarried, and living in your household. As of January 1, 2025, the maximum monthly amount of the child supplement is 297 euros.

The child supplement provides financial support to low-income families. To receive it, the following requirements must be met:

  • Child benefit (or a comparable benefit) is paid for the child.
  • The gross income must be at least 900 euros (for two-parent families) or 600 euros (for single parents). There would be enough money to support the family if, in addition to their income, they received the child supplement and, if applicable, housing assistance.

The application for the child supplement must be submitted separately to the family benefits office.

The child supplement is generally paid for 6 months. Once the approval period has expired, a new application for the child supplement must be submitted.

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