The income threshold was lowered and new options for the parallel receipt of parental allowance were adopted.
The 2024 parental allowance reform comes with two innovations: From April 2024, a new income threshold will apply from which parents will be entitled to parental allowance. There is also a new structure for the parallel receipt of basic parental allowance. The new regulations apply to parents whose children are born on or after April 1, 2024.
With the 2024 parental allowance reform, a new income threshold for entitlement to parental allowance will come into force.
The income limit is for couples and single parents:
For births from September 1, 2021 up to and including March 31, 2024, the income limit of EUR 300,000 for couples and EUR 250,000 for single parents will continue to apply.
If the income limit is exceeded, parents are no longer entitled to parental allowance.
The new regulation as part of the 2024 parental allowance reform only affects the simultaneous receipt of basic parental allowance and only applies to parents whose children are born on or after April 1, 2024.
Simultaneous receipt of basic parental allowance is only possible for a maximum of one month and only within the first twelve months of the child's life.
If one of the parents receives Parental Allowance Plus, the other parent can also receive Basic Parental Allowance or Parental Allowance Plus for more than one month at a time.
There are also exceptions to this new regulation for parents with premature babies, parents of twins, triplets or other multiples as well as for parents of newborn children with disabilities and siblings with disabilities for whom they receive the sibling bonus. As before, they can receive basic parental allowance for more than one month at a time as required.
Further information & sources:
BMFSFJ: New regulations for parental allowance for births from April 1, 2024 (as of 28.03.2024)