Parental leave

Parental leave – called “Elternzeit” in German – names the time after giving birth. You spend it intensively with your baby and usually do not go out for paid work. Parental leave is intended for you to care for your child and to bridge the time until the infant can go to a day care centre.

Some parents also stay at home permanently to devote themselves entirely in raising their child. There are different models for which parent takes parental leave and for how long. It is also possible for both parents to take parental leave at the same time for a certain period of time. Each family decides this for itself. Of course, financial aspects play a major role with this decision.

The employer must be notified at least seven weeks before the actual parental leave begins. If it turns out you want to extend the parental leave during the course of your parental leave, you can do that. But you have to mind the time limit for the extension.

If you did not have paid work before, you are automatically on parental leave when you apply for parental allowance.

During parental leave, you are covered by free health insurance. Therefore, please inform your health insurance company about your parental leave.

You can find addresses of health insurance companies in your area in the adress box.