Elternzeit

Elternzeit, in Germany, is a statutory right that allows parents to take unpaid leave from work to care for a child. It is governed by the Bundeselterngeld- und Elternzeitgesetz (BEEG) and applies to employees. The concept also covers adoptive parents who meet the eligibility criteria. The leave is designed to protect the employment relationship while a parent focuses on child care.

The duration and division of Elternzeit are flexible. A child’s parent can take up to three years of Elternzeit per child, and the time can be taken by one or both parents. The leave generally must be completed by the end of the child’s third birthday, though it can be divided into multiple blocks and transferred between parents under certain conditions. The arrangement can be tailored to family needs, including periods of absence followed by partial return to work.

During Elternzeit, employees retain certain protections. There is a statutory protection against dismissal, and parents have the right to request a part-time return to work. Part-time arrangements during Elternzeit can extend up to the allowed working hours, typically up to 30 hours per week, depending on the agreement with the employer. The employer may not unreasonably refuse a request for reduced hours.

Elternzeit is commonly linked to Elterngeld, a separate financial support program. Elterngeld provides income replacement for a portion of lost earnings and is available for a limited period, with amounts and duration influenced by income before birth and by whether both parents participate. There are additional options, such as ElterngeldPlus and partnerships bonuses, to extend support when parents share caregiving and reduce working hours. Applications for Elterngeld are submitted to the relevant Elterngeldstelle, while Elternzeit notifications go to the employer.