Apply on time
Most benefits have a deadline, often 30 days after the job ends or after the birth. Applying late can mean losing months of money that you cannot claim back.
2026 rules
Benefits calculator for Germany
How much you get if you lose your job, have a baby, fall ill or raise children, with the 2026 rules that apply in Germany.
Quick answerIn Germany, with a monthly gross salary of 4,300 EUR and 10 years of work: unemployment benefit 1,853 EUR per month, duration 12 months, maternity or parental pay 1,798 EUR per month, duration 12 months, sick pay for 30 days 2,766 EUR in total, and child benefit for two children 518 EUR per month.
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Estimate with the 2026 rules. The official amount is decided by the institution that pays it.
Popular questions
How much unemployment benefit will I get in Germany?
With a monthly gross salary of 4,300 EUR and 10 years of work, the benefit is about 1,853 EUR per month, duration 12 months. Pay above the contribution ceiling of 8,450 EUR a month in 2026 is not counted, so the maximum is roughly 3,000 to 3,600 EUR a month.
How much is maternity or parental pay in Germany?
With a monthly gross salary of 4,300 EUR, it is about 1,798 EUR per month, duration 12 months. Elterngeld is 65% to 67% of your net income before the birth, at least 300 EUR and at most 1,800 EUR a month, for 12 months plus 2 partner months. Low earners get up to 100%.
How much sick pay do I get in Germany?
For 30 days of sick leave you receive about 2,766 EUR in total in total. After that the health insurer pays Krankengeld: 70% of your gross pay, at most 90% of your net pay, up to 135.63 EUR a day in 2026. Pension, unemployment and care contributions are deducted.
How much is child benefit in Germany?
For two children the result is 518 EUR per month. Kindergeld is 259 EUR a month for every child in 2026, with no income test.
In Germany unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld I) is paid by the Federal Employment Agency, parental allowance (Elterngeld) by the Elterngeldstelle of your state, sick pay first by the employer and then by your health insurer, and child benefit (Kindergeld) by the Familienkasse.
Unemployment benefit in Germany
- You need at least 12 months of insurance in the last 30 months. The benefit is 60% of your flat-rate net pay, or 67% if you have a child. It is tax free, but it raises the tax rate on your other income.
- Pay above the contribution ceiling of 8,450 EUR a month in 2026 is not counted, so the maximum is roughly 3,000 to 3,600 EUR a month.
- Duration: 6 months after 12 months of insurance, 12 months after 24 months. From 50 it can be 15 months, from 55 it is 18 months and from 58 it is 24 months.
Maternity and parental leave in Germany
- Maternity protection (Mutterschutz) lasts 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after the birth. You keep your full net pay: the health insurer pays up to 13 EUR a day and the employer pays the rest.
- Elterngeld is 65% to 67% of your net income before the birth, at least 300 EUR and at most 1,800 EUR a month, for 12 months plus 2 partner months. Low earners get up to 100%.
- ElterngeldPlus pays half the amount for twice as long. Families with taxable income above 175,000 EUR receive no Elterngeld.
Sick pay in Germany
- The employer pays your full salary for the first 6 weeks (Entgeltfortzahlung).
- After that the health insurer pays Krankengeld: 70% of your gross pay, at most 90% of your net pay, up to 135.63 EUR a day in 2026. Pension, unemployment and care contributions are deducted.
- Krankengeld is paid for up to 78 weeks for the same illness within 3 years.
Child benefit in Germany
- Kindergeld is 259 EUR a month for every child in 2026, with no income test.
- It is paid until 18, and until 25 if the child is in training or studying.
- Low income families can also get Kinderzuschlag of up to 297 EUR per child a month. For high earners the tax office applies the child allowance instead if it is better.
Before you apply: five things people often miss
Quitting is not the same as being dismissed
In most countries you get no unemployment benefit, or get it later, if you resign or agree to leave. Before you sign a termination agreement, check what it means for your benefit.
Your insurance record decides everything
Duration and amount depend on how many months you paid contributions and on what salary. Check that your employer reported you correctly before you apply.
Gross, net and taxes
Some benefits are paid gross and are taxed, others are tax free. The calculator shows the amount the rules describe. The money you see in your account can be lower.
Combine benefits the smart way
Sick leave, maternity leave and unemployment usually cannot be paid for the same days. The order in which you claim them can change how much you receive in total.
Examples by salary
Ten years of work, age 35, first child, 30 days of sick leave, 2026 rules.
| Monthly salary | Unemployment | Maternity or parental | Sick pay, 30 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,600 EUR | 1,224 EUR per month | 1,187 EUR per month | 1,827 EUR |
| 4,300 EUR | 1,853 EUR per month | 1,798 EUR per month | 2,766 EUR |
| 6,900 EUR | 2,765 EUR per month | 1,800 EUR per month | 4,127 EUR |
Frequently asked questions
Do I get unemployment benefit if I quit my job in Germany?
You can get it, but usually only after a blocking period (Sperrzeit) of 12 weeks, and the total entitlement is cut by at least a quarter. An important reason, such as health problems or harassment, can avoid this.
Where do I apply in Germany?
Register as a jobseeker with the Agentur für Arbeit no later than 3 months before the job ends, or within 3 days if you learn later, then apply for Arbeitslosengeld online. Elterngeld: the Elterngeldstelle of your state. Kindergeld: the Familienkasse.
Is this an official decision?
No. MyBenefitKit is an informational calculator. The institution that pays the benefit decides the exact amount from your full insurance record. Use the result to plan and to check the decision you receive.
Sources and disclaimer
This page is informational. The rules and amounts are based on laws and official publications valid in October 2026 and simplified for the calculator. Individual cases, collective agreements and regional rules can change the result.