Parental Leave (Elternzeit)

At a glance

• A right to up to three years per child up to the third birthday; up to 24 months transferable to the period between the third and eighth birthday (for children born from 1 July 2015 without the employer's consent)
• Written registration: at least seven weeks before for periods up to the third birthday, at least 13 weeks before for later periods
• Special protection against dismissal from registration (at the earliest eight weeks before the start) and throughout the leave; dismissal only with official approval
• Part-time up to 32 hours per week with the same employer is a right the employer can refuse only on urgent operational grounds
• Elternzeit (the leave) and Elterngeld (the benefit payment) are distinct

FAQ

Does Elternzeit require the employer's consent?

Elternzeit itself does not: it is a right that employees register within the deadline. Splitting it into up to three blocks and, for children born from 1 July 2015, transferring up to 24 months are also consent-free. A right to refuse exists only in special cases: a third block between the third and eighth birthday may be refused within eight weeks on urgent operational grounds, and splitting into more than three blocks or part-time with another employer needs consent.

Can the employer reject Elternzeit?

No. There is a legal right to the leave itself; the employer merely confirms it and can object only in the special cases above.

What about holiday during Elternzeit?

The employer may reduce annual leave by one twelfth for each full month of Elternzeit. Leave already accrued and not taken is not forfeited but must be granted after the leave.

Last updated: August 2026

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice in individual cases.