As of 18 October 2026. The planned cut to parental allowance (Elterngeld) from 14 to 12 months has not been decided, and even the family ministry is now wavering. Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland at the end of September that she is “open” to keeping 14 months. For parents, that means today’s rules still apply.
What applies today, and what was in the summer draft?
Under section 4 of the BEEG, parents together are entitled to twelve monthly payments of basic Elterngeld. If both parents’ income drops for at least two months, two partner months are added, making 14 in total. One parent alone can claim at most twelve. The benefit replaces 65 per cent of lost net income, with a minimum of €300 and a maximum of €1,800 a month; the income cap is €175,000 of taxable income a year.
The summer draft, reported by ZDFheute on 7 July, provided for 12 months in total: three reserved for each parent and six to be shared freely. Single parents would keep up to twelve months, the minimum would rise to €330 and the maximum to €1,900. Savings: about €500 million a year. On paper, a couple claiming both maximums would get €22,800 instead of €25,200. Most families earn less, so for them the gap would be smaller.
Why is Prien shifting now?
Speaking to RND, Prien said the coalition should check “whether the savings on Elterngeld on this scale are effective and justified”, according to ZDFheute (30 September). Asked about keeping 14 months, she replied: “I am open to that.” She added: “We are discussing all the levers and have not yet settled on a model in the coalition.” Twelve months with a different split of partner months is “hard for many families to manage”, she said.
Pressure is coming from two sides. In the 2027 draft budget, the Elterngeld line falls from about €7.51bn to €7.07bn, Münster Aktuell reports; the budget is due to be adopted at the end of November. Meanwhile the SPD’s women’s wing opposes the cut and wants a four-week paid “Familienstartzeit” for the second parent instead. SPD family policy spokesman Felix Döring wants to avoid across-the-board cuts and would rather save on very high claims.
Our assessment: a compromise that keeps 14 months or softens the cut now looks more likely than it did in July. It is far from certain, because the budget savings target remains and no model has been named. Anyone planning for 2027 should run the numbers on both versions.
What can parents do right now?
Do not wait for the reform. Under section 7 of the BEEG, Elterngeld is paid retroactively only for the last three months of the child’s life before the month in which the application arrives. The application must be in writing and signed by both parents; only a sole custodian signs alone. Forms, the digital application and local advice are on the federal Familienportal; the helpline is 030 201 791 30 (Monday to Thursday, 9am to 6pm).
If you are expecting a child next year, plan with twelve months as the safe base and two more as a possible bonus. The documents known so far do not say whether changes would apply only to children born later; ask your Elterngeld office.
Earlier coverage: Elterngeld-Reform: Bezugsdauer sinkt, Vätermonate steigen (7 July).
Sources: BEEG s. 4, BEEG s. 7, Familienportal, ZDFheute, Münster Aktuell
