The Local Germany

EXPLAINED: Everything you need to know about parental leave in Germany

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 20:15:24 +0200

Both new mums and dads in Germany can take advantage of a generous parental leave policy. Here’s what you need to know, including the unique way leave can be split up, how it applies to freelancers, and where the Bundesrepublik stands in comparison to other countries.

Here’s how Germany plans to reform ‘Elterngeld’ for new parents

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 16:26:22 +0100

Germany is planning a reform of parental benefits, or Elterngeld, for new mums and dads. Here's how it's shaping up – plus a guide to the allowance.

Working parents to get more options with Plus

Mon, 10 Nov 2014 16:05:00 +0100

The federal government has announced a new model of parental leave pay starting in July 2015 called Elterngeld Plus, heralded as a step forward for working mothers by the federal Families Minister - but not all working parents are happy about it.

FDP calls for basic children's income

Tue, 17 May 2011 13:04:00 +0200

The pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP) is stepping up its effort to revive flagging voter interest with an overhaul of Germany's social welfare net, suggesting a basic children’s income should replace all parenting and child payments.

New FDP calls for end to parenting payment

Mon, 16 May 2011 11:00:00 +0200

In an effort to signal a break with the past and whip up fresh momentum, the pro-business Free Democrats have blasted the “bureaucratically fossilised welfare state” and called for an end to parenting payments.

Extension to parenting payments scrapped

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:54:00 +0200

Parents hoping for an extension of Elterngeld parenting payments are set to be disappointed, with Family Minister Kristina Schröder reportedly ditching a plan for the number of “fathers’ months” to be doubled.

Merkel's cabinet backs tough austerity package

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:02:00 +0200

Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet signed off Wednesday on a hefty austerity package that critics say will hit the poorest hardest and could endanger Germany and therefore Europe's economic recovery.

Family Ministry projects suspended due to budget cuts

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:12:00 +0200

Central family policy projects laid out in Angela Merkel’s centre-right coalition contract have apparently been put on ice, a media report said on Monday.

Major review of family benefits planned

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:24:00 +0200

The German government plans to conduct a sweeping review of its family policies and benefits to see whether they have been effective, Family Minister Kristina Schröder said on Wednesday.

Poor families hit by parenting payment cuts

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:58:00 +0200

Cuts to Germany's Elterngeld parenting benefits will be deeper than previously thought, with its centre-right government planning to benefits for low-income parents who work part-time, media reported Friday.

Where the axe has fallen: a budget cut breakdown

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:09:00 +0200

As the dust settles on the German government's plans for a round of brutal belt-tightening, The Local breaks down the numbers and the details to see how it affects you.

Family minister suggests cut to parental benefits

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 10:41:00 +0200

German Family Minister Kristina Köhler has suggested cuts to Elterngeld, or parental benefits, by some €70 per month to help solve the government's budgetary woes, a media report said on Tuesday.

Berlin fusses over EU birth rate study

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:20:00 +0200

Germany's Ministry of Family Affairs accused EU statisticians on Tuesday of using inaccurate birth rate data in a new study that placed it dead last among European countries.

Parental leave eased to keep Germans working

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:40:00 +0200

German Family Minister Ursula von der Leyen has made parental leave benefits more flexible during the recession so that new families don’t have to fear leaving the workforce in a cutthroat job market, daily Bild reported on Friday.