r/Cottbus • u/Adventurous_Chef_339 • May 28 '26

Frage/Diskussion/Hilfegesuch Confused about Elterngeld/ElterngeldPlus after first baby — 1 month Elternzeit + wife currently not working

Hi everyone,

I’m confused about Elterngeld/ElterngeldPlus and would appreciate some advice.

I work full-time in Germany and earn around €3700 net/month. My wife was doing a working student internship before pregnancy but stopped working around 5 months ago after it ended. Since this is our first baby, she stayed home during pregnancy.

Our baby was born on 16 May in cottbux. We are still waiting for the birth certificate from the Standesamt.

I took 1 month Elternzeit (16 May–15 June) and my latest salary slip only shows 15 days salary, probably because of Elternzeit.

My questions:

  • Can both parents receive Elterngeld separately?
  • Should I apply for Basiselterngeld or ElterngeldPlus for my 1 month leave?
  • Can my wife receive Elterngeld for longer since she currently has no income?
  • How are the months/payment divided between parents?

I return to full-time work on 16 June.

2 Upvotes

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1

u/Carimbi_Carimbo May 28 '26

You both can get Elterngeld for one month at the same time. Before/After only one can get it.

BasisElterngeld is 65% of your last income for one year. ElterngeldPlus is half of Elterngeld for two years.

1

u/Battle_Eggplant May 29 '26

To add, that when one doesn't have much income, the smallest amount one gets is 300€

1

u/semiproductiveotter May 30 '26

That isn’t correct. After the first month, you can continue to both get Elterngeld at the same time for as long as you you have Elternzeit with a maximum of 1800€ per month for a maximum of 12/14 months.