Part-time work during parental leave

Parental leave and working are NOT mutually exclusive – part-time work during parental leave is a legal right in Germany (§15 BEEG).

The rules:

• Permitted working hours: 15–32 hours/week (since September 2021, previously max. 30 h)
• Entitlement: applies at employers with more than 15 employees
• Notice period: 7 weeks before the desired start (up to the child's 3rd birthday)
• The employer may only refuse for "urgent operational reasons" (and must PROVE them!)

ElterngeldPlus with part-time work:

• Calculation: 65% of the difference between income BEFORE and AFTER the birth
• Amount: €150–900/month
• Duration: up to 28 months (twice as long as basic parental allowance!)
• Often more worthwhile: ElterngeldPlus + part-time brings MORE in total than basic parental allowance + a full-time break

Partnership bonus:

• 2–4 extra ElterngeldPlus months for EACH parent
• Condition: both work 24–32 hours/week at the same time
• Also available to single parents

Sample calculation:

• Income before: €3,000 net. Part-time 25 h: €1,875 net
• Difference: €1,125. ElterngeldPlus: 65% of 1,125 = €731
• Total income: 1,875 + 731 = €2,606 (instead of €1,800 basic parental allowance with a full-time break)