Amount from 300 to 1800 euros per month: new assistance for Ukrainian parents in Germany

Ukrainian refugees in Germany who have become parents can receive financial support through the Elterngeld program. This benefit is intended for those who reduce their working hours or do not work to care for a newborn child.

Elterngeld offers three types of financial assistance: basic assistance (Basiselterngeld), extended assistance (ElterngeldPlus), and partnership bonus (Partnerschaftsbonus). These types of aid can be combined, and the amount of payments depends on the family’s income: the higher the income before the child’s birth, the less likely the family is to receive the maximum amount. Monthly payments range from 300 to 1,800 euros.

It is worth noting that Elterngeld is considered official income. This may lead to a decrease in social assistance for Bürgergeld recipients, since this payment is taken into account when calculating the total support. As a result, the total amount of aid remains approximately at the same level as before receiving Elterngeld.

Parents who live in Germany and personally care for the child are entitled to assistance. One of the conditions is also official employment at up to 32 hours per week. Documents required for the application include a residence and work permit, permanent residence in the EU, a Blue Card, a temporary residence permit with the right to paid work, or German or an EU country citizenship.

Refugees from Ukraine who have received temporary protection in accordance with Article 24 of the Residence Act must work, be on parental leave, or receive unemployment benefits, and have been in Germany for at least 15 months.