ELTERNGELD + KINDERGELD BUNDLE
What is Elterngeld?
Elterngeld is an income replacement state benefit that is available to both mothers and fathers in Germany. Parents can claim between 150 and 1800€ / month depending on a number of factors (how long they wish to claim Elterngeld for, how much income they earned before the child was born etc).
If you live in Germany, have a child who is 15 months old or younger and if you do not work because you are caring for your baby (or work less than 30 hours a week), then it’s very likely you will be entitled to Elterngeld, even if:
- you have never worked in Germany
- you have never worked at all
- you are a freelancer
- you are not German
- you give birth abroad
- you just arrived in Germany
Why is Elterngeld so difficult to navigate?
COMPLEX
The manual for the Elterngeld law is a whopping 330 pages. Who has time to read and understand this as a pregnant expat?
CONFUSING
Elterngeld is very flexible, and therefore can be adapted to various specific situations. It’s difficult to find examples that reflect your own family.
IMPORTANT
The amount of benefit parents receive will determine their lifestyle and disposable income for many months. It’s important to get it right.
STRESSFUL
The application form and the list of supporting documents would make anyone break a sweat, notwithstanding the opaque application process.
Work with me
Elterngeld and Kindergeld Bundle
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1h30 online consultation to explain all the details of Mutterschutz, Mutterschaftsgeld, Elternzeit, Elterngeld and Kindergeld
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Depending on your situation: infos about health insurance contributions whilst on parental leave, baby's birth certificate, immigration, father declaration and so much more
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After this consultation, you will receive the following documents:
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Support with filling the Elterngeld and Kindergeld application forms according to your wishes
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Information sheets on Mutterschaftsgeld (maternity leave benefits), Elternzeit (parental leave), Elterngeld (parental leave benefits) and Kindergeld (child benefit)
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List of supporting documents to provide for your exact situation
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Addresses where to send your application
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Support to help you communicate with the authorities (Elterngeldstelle and Familienkasse) where required (per post or email) until your case is accepted
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Follow-up questions by email or phone are included if changes are required later on
What is the process of working with me?
Process
- Book the package above. You will be directed to my schedule where you can select a date and time that suits you for our individual online consultation.
- I will explain the legal framework around Elterngeld and Kindergeld and we will discuss your individual situation to maximise your benefits.
- After the call, you will receive your very own Elterngeld and Kindergeld application forms filled out, as well as support to help you communicate with the authorities when needed.
Benefits
- Ensure you know all the ins and outs of the legal framework surrounding the Elternzeit, Elterngeld and Kindergeld
- Maximise the amount of Elterngeld you can claim whilst taking into account your professional activity (employed or self-employed)
- Be able to discuss your individual situation and gather advice based on your individual circumstances
- Benefit from my experience with hundreds of Elterngeld cases in various situations (giving birth abroad, cross-border cases, unemployed parents etc)
- Know exactly which documents you need to prepare, ensuring a quick and smooth process
FAQs
All consultations are accessible as part of my paid packages. I don’t offer free consultations as I don’t have the capacity to do unpaid work.
If you choose the Elterngeld Premium Package, it includes assistance filling out the forms for you. If you choose the Elterngeld Basic Package, it does not.
Yes, this bundle covers support if the authorities come back to you with any questions about your Elterngeld and / or Kindergeld applications. It also includes questions later on about these topics if you require to change your application further down the line.
This bundle is by far the most sought-after of my services and brings a great value for money, as I am able to help you maximise the financial benefits, tell you aspects of the Elternzeit, Elterngeld and Kindergeld that you didn’t know about and avoid common mistakes, save you time by helping you communicating with the authorities.
If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Elterngeld Basic Package or Elterngeld Premium Package are also available but offer less value.
Yes, this bundle includes assistance with filling out both Elterngeld and Kindergeld forms.
Ideally we would have the consultation a couple of months before your due date. This would ensure you can benefit from all the available options and have sufficient time to prepare your parental leave application with your employer if you’re employed.
If this date has passed, don’t worry, we can still have the consultation and I will explain what your options are. Some of my clients get in touch well after the baby is born, but that means having less options and potentially losing out on some benefits.
In most cases the answer is yes! When giving birth abroad you are still eligible for Elterngeld and Kindergeld if the other eligibility criteria are fulfilled.
However giving birth abroad is more complex and requires you to provide more documentation and think ahead of time of the schedule after birth.
I have helped hundreds of families who gave birth abroad successfully claim their Elterngeld and Kindergeld. The process can be a bit lengthy but I’m here to help you all the way until the application is approved.
Forget the paperwork and start enjoying your pregnancy today
Why work with me?
My ultimate goal is to offer expat families a unique experience that will allow them to:
– ensure they are maximizing their benefit
– follow their long-term goals (family, career, training, finances)
– have peace of mind knowing everything has been taken care of
I have so far helped over a thousand families with their Elterngeld and Kindergeld applications. I have seen various complex cases come my way, from parents posted abroad from a German company, to parents just arriving to Germany with a baby, or parents living in Germany and giving birth abroad. This extensive experience allows me to provide excellent information and advice when it comes to your Elterngeld and Kindergeld applications.
Because there are many factors coming into play when deciding on how to apply for Elterngeld, I also inform you about Mutterschutz (maternity leave), Mutterschaftsgeld (maternity leave benefits) and Elternzeit (parental leave) as well as give you some pointers as to what might be important for you to consider when making your decision. One important note: I am not a lawyer or a tax-advisor, not can I guarantee your application being accepted or the amount of benefits you will receive.
However I strive to give you the best possible outcome for your Elterngeld and Kindergeld applications, making sure you receive the highest amount of benefit possible, and that you strategize your parental leave in the best way so as not to negatively impact your professional, family and personal goals.
Most of my clients are surprised at how flexible Elterngeld actually is (from working part-time to sharing the months between the parents for a more gender-equal share of parental responsibilities) and usually come away with a refreshed view of the topic, feeling better as they are making an informed decision.
I care about your application as if it was my own
Testimonials
“Elodie is great! As a freelancer and foreigner from outside of the EU, we had a complicated case to deal with for acquiring Elterngeld. Baby in Berlin really helped us out when we thought we had no other options. We are very grateful for their support and highly recommend their services.”
DARSHA
“Although I am pretty experienced in German bureaucracy matters, my Elterngeld thing was a bit tricky and also – who wants to be buried under all these papers when you have a newborn and don’t have time? Elodie guided me through all the difficulties like an angel, being quick, efficient and – most of all – supportive. Thank you, I can only recommend your services that saved me hours and sanity.”
NATALIA
“Elodie was always available, reactive and supportive when we call for her services (Elterngeld claim). Even if our case was quite complex, she managed it successfully with great professionalism.”
JÉRÉMY