It is often believed that Poles working in Germany are not entitled to Elterngeld, the German parental allowance. Nothing could be further from the truth! In fact, Poles living and working in Germany have the same right to this benefit as German citizens. In this article, we will try to dispel any doubts on this subject and provide practical information to help you apply for Elterngeld – read on!
Elterngeld – key information
You are probably wondering what the conditions are for receiving this benefit, what the application process looks like, and how much you can receive. We will explain all of this in today’s post. We have also prepared a list of documents you will need to apply for Elterngeld, as well as answers to the most frequently asked questions about this benefit. But let’s start by explaining what Elterngeld actually is.
Elterngeld is financial support for parents in the early stages of raising a child. Both the mother and father can receive this allowance, which allows them to care for their newborn for 12-24 months after its birth. In Poland, we encounter many variations of the translation – parental allowance or childcare allowance.
Elterngeld for children born in other EU countries
Parents whose children were born in Poland can also receive Elterngeld benefits, but they must meet all the conditions set by the German authorities. First and foremost, the parent applying for child benefits must have their center of life in Germany and must reside in the country for at least 183 days a year. However, registration is not required. A parent applying for Elterngeld must also live with the child in the same household, cannot work full-time, and cannot exceed the income threshold, which is €200,000 for single persons and couples.
Elterngeld in Germany – how to claim the benefit?
The application process for Elterngeld in Germany for EU citizens does not differ significantly from that for German citizens. The basic step is to submit the appropriate application to the relevant office. It is worth remembering that the application for Elterngeld can be submitted at the earliest 3 months before the planned date of commencement of the benefit. In the case of the birth of a child, the application can be submitted until the end of the third month after the birth at the latest.
An important part of the process is the completion of the necessary documents. The application for Elterngeld must be accompanied by: a certificate of income for the last 12 months before the birth of the child, a certificate of employment, a doctor’s certificate of the expected date of delivery and, in the case of the birth of a child, its birth certificate. Please note that all documents must be translated into German by a sworn translator.
Elterngeld – application to the office
A fundamental step in applying for Elterngeld is to fill in the application correctly. It is worth paying attention to a few key aspects. Applications for Elterngeld must be submitted to the relevant office (which parental allowance office is competent for you depends on your federal state and place of residence).
It is important to remember that the documents for the benefit must be submitted no later than three months after the birth of the child, and the formalities can start as early as three months before the planned benefit collection.
Elterngeld – documents required to make an application
In order to receive Elterngeld, an application must be submitted to the German authorities by the first three months of the child’s life. For this you will need the child’s birth certificate and a copy of the identity card of the applicant or both parents.
For employees with an employment contract, the application must be accompanied by a certificate from the employer confirming entitlement to parental leave, and a certificate of earnings for the last 12 months before the birth of the child.
Elterngeld Germany – how much is it?
Elterngeld is normally calculated on the basis of income from the 12 months preceding the month of the child’s birth. However, if a parent has not worked for the entire period, e.g. due to caring for another child, the reference period may be extended.
The allowance is between 65% and 100% of the last net salary, but no more than €1,800 per month. The minimum amount is €300.
The allowance is paid for 12 months. However, it can be extended to 14 months if both parents decide to temporarily stop working. Parents also have the option of taking advantage of ElterngeldPlus – half of the designated amount will be paid, but the allowance will be paid for twice as long
In Germany, there is a strongly developed social benefit system that helps families in particular, so we also have the possibility to obtain Kindergeld and Kinderzuschlag child allowance.
Parental Allowance Plus
Parental Allowance Plus ranges from €150 to €900 per month and is calculated in the same way as standard parental allowance. It can be paid for twice as long as basic parental allowance, but its amount is only half that of the standard benefit. The partner allowance is calculated in the same way as Parental Allowance Plus.
Elterngeld for a mother in another EU country
What if the father of the child works in Germany and the mother is in another EU country? A person who has not worked in Germany can collect Elterngeld maternity benefit if the other parent works in Germany, but any benefits collected in the child’s mother’s country of residence will be deducted from the benefit.
Elterngeld and tax return
Elterngeld is a non-taxable benefit, but it counts as Progressionsvorbehalt – it will be included in the basis on which the tax payable is calculated. It must therefore be included in the tax return during the annual settlement. The combination of the parents’ tax classes, for example 5/3 or 4/4, will also have a large impact on the final tax amount.
Elterngeld, or parental allowance, is one of the most important benefits that parents in Germany can count on. It is a form of financial support that aims to enable parents to spend more time caring for their child. It is important to have a good understanding of its allocation and application rules in order to be able to take full advantage of this benefit. If you are looking for support in obtaining this benefit, then make your voice heard at our accountancy firm – Borsuk Podatki. We will handle all the formalities related to Elterngeld for you, help you obtain Kindergeld and take care of your tax return from Germany – welcome!
