Parental leave is a temporary, unpaid break from working life for mothers and fathers that allows them to take care of and raise their children. Employers must give fathers and mothers time off for this period.

The parental allowance replaces the previous child-raising allowance. It is intended to provide parents with a financial basis to enable them to interrupt or reduce their employment due to a newborn child. This support is only granted on a temporary basis.

Parental allowance is paid to the father and mother for a maximum of 14 months, and both parents are free to divide the period between them. One parent can receive parental allowance alone for a maximum of twelve months, with a further two months reserved for the other parent. Furthermore, in order to receive parental allowance for a total of 14 months, one parent must have a reduction in earned income for at least two months.

Since 01.07.2015, parental allowance and parental leave have become much more flexible than before thanks to "Parental Allowance Plus".

For each multiple sibling, the parental allowance, as well as the Parental Allowance Plus, increases by 300.00 euros per month.

Responsibility lies with the district, municipality, joint municipality and town in which the parents reside and must be applied for in writing. Information, explanations and applications as well as the parental allowance office responsible for the place of residence are also available on the website of the Lower Saxony Ministry for Social Affairs, Health and Equality.

The child has a maintenance claim against the parent liable for maintenance, which depends on the parent's personal and financial circumstances. In principle, there is an entitlement to the so-called minimum maintenance. The assistance department can help with the enforcement of the maintenance claim, see "What is assistance?".