Social Security - Family and Maternity Benefits

Parental leave to look after and bring up children is an entitlement which male and female employees have vis-à-vis their employer. Both parents have a right to up to three years parental leave and afterwards may return to their original job or one which is comparable with their previous job. With the employer's consent it is possible to transfer up to 12 months to the period between the child's third and eighth birthday, for example during the first year at school.

Parental benefit (which enters into force on 1 January 2007) is intended to relieve the financial burden on young families and help ensure that both parents care for a newborn child. It is paid to the father and mother for a maximum of 14 months. 67% of lost income, up to a maximum of EUR 1,800 a month, is replaced. Minimum parental benefit is EUR 300. One parent can claim alone for at most twelve months and two further months are reserved as an option for the other partner.

Child benefit is available for all children up to the age of 18. In relation to children undergoing training, receipt of child benefit is extended to the age of 27 and for children out of work it is extended to the age of 21. Where military or community service excluding the receipt of child benefit is performed during this period, the upper age limit is extended accordingly. There is no age limit for children who, on account of their disability, are unable to support themselves. Child benefit is graduated according to the number of children and amounts to EUR 154 a month for first, second and third children and EUR 179 a month for fourth and any further children. Child benefit is normally paid where the applicant's place of residence or habitual residence is in Germany.

Text last edited on: 11/2006

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2007
Reproduction is authorised.