How do I take parental leave (Elternzeit), and can my partner and I share it?

What it is: Parental leave (Elternzeit) is unpaid time off work to care for your child. Your job is protected during this time. The money comes from Elterngeld; Elternzeit and Elterngeld are two separate things.

Length and sharing: Each parent can take up to 3 years per child. Up to 24 months of this can be used between the child's 3rd and 8th birthday. Both parents can be on leave at the same time or one after the other. You can split the leave into three blocks; more blocks need your employer's consent.

How to notify: You do not apply for Elternzeit, you notify your employer. For leave before the child's 3rd birthday, notify your employer in writing at least 7 weeks before it starts. For leave between the 3rd and 8th birthday the notice period is 13 weeks. State the start and end dates. Your employer must confirm the leave to you in writing. For mothers, the leave usually starts when maternity leave (Mutterschutz) ends.

Can my employer refuse: Leave before the 3rd birthday cannot be refused. A block of leave after the 3rd birthday can be refused for urgent operational reasons.

Working during leave: During Elternzeit you can work part-time for up to 32 hours a week. In companies with more than 15 employees you have a right to part-time work.

Protection against dismissal: From the moment you notify your employer (at the earliest 8 weeks before the leave starts) until the end of the leave, your employer generally cannot dismiss you.