Do fathers in Germany automatically get two weeks off after birth?

No. There is no separate general statutory two-week paternity leave. Fathers use Elternzeit instead.

Can I start Elternzeit on the day my baby is born?

Yes. Normally tell your employer at least 7 weeks before the expected birth date.

Can both parents take Elternzeit?

Yes. Each parent's entitlement is independent of whether the other parent takes leave.

Can I work part-time during Elternzeit?

Yes, up to 32 hours a week for children born on or after 1 September 2021.

Paternity Leave in Germany

Germany has no separate statutory paternity leave. Fathers use Elternzeit (parental leave) from the birth and may receive Elterngeld. Plan your dates below and read how it works.

Last updated: 13 November 2026

Country / Region

Verified rules for this country aren't included yet. Enter the leave duration your employer or local authority confirms below — results will be labelled as estimates.

Employment Type

Leave Calculation Method

Expected Baby Due Date

Planned Leave Start Date (optional)

Defaults to the due date.

Leave Duration (calendar days)

Employer-Provided Leave

Work Schedule

Pay Estimate (optional)

Add your salary to see how much you'll be paid during your leave. Leave it empty to calculate dates only.

Gross Salary (€)

Pay Frequency

Government / statutory pay per week (if any)

Pay rules for this country aren't built in yet — enter the weekly amount from your country guide or benefits office.

Employer Pays (% of salary)

For How Many Weeks

Your results will appear here

Fill in your details and press calculate to see your leave dates, notice deadlines and pay estimate.

Germany paternity leave at a glance

Germany has no separate general statutory paternity leave; employed fathers can instead take parental leave (Elternzeit) from the birth.

Leave length: No separate paternity leave. Each employed parent can take up to 3 years of Elternzeit.
When to take it: Parental leave can start on the day of birth. Normally tell your employer at least 7 weeks before the expected birth date.
Pay: There is no separate paternity payment. Your employer does not pay salary during Elternzeit, but you may receive Elterngeld, a separate public benefit.
Who qualifies: You must be an employee, live with the child, care for the child yourself and work no more than 32 hours a week during the leave.
Self-employed fathers: Self-employed fathers cannot take employee parental leave, but this does not decide whether they can get Elterngeld.

Parental leave on top of paternity leave

Each employed parent can take up to 3 years of parental leave. Couples can share up to 14 months of basic Elterngeld when the partner-month conditions are met — these are benefit months, not extra leave.

Good to know

Civil servants and the military have separate rules; this page covers the general employee scheme.
Because there is no fixed paternity period, enter the number of days you plan to take in the calculator.

Legal entitlement vs employer benefits

The rules above are the legal minimum in Germany. Many employers offer extra paid days or top up statutory pay. Add any employer leave in the calculator above to see your real return-to-work date, and confirm the details with your HR team. To compare pay over the weeks you take off, try the paternity pay calculator.

Other European guides

France28 days (3 birth + 25 paternity)Spain19 weeks (6 compulsory)Netherlands1 week + up to 5 extra weeks Belgium20 working days Austria1 month (Papamonat)Switzerland2 weeks (10 working days)Italy10 working days (20 for twins)Portugal28 compulsory + 7 optional days

Official sources

Frequently asked questions

Editorial note: we summarise official government guidance and link to it. Laws change — always confirm your entitlement with your employer or the relevant authority. This page is not legal advice.