In Germany family promotion is playing an increasingly important role and is correspondingly supported by the state. In order to encourage men and women to have more children again, as from 2007 there are plans to replace the current child-raising benefit with a means-tested parent’s benefit financed through taxes. Thus, for a period of one year one parent that interrupts his or her career in order to raise children will receive 67 percent of their last net income, but at most 1,800 €. However, this benefit is only paid for the entire period if the father also stays at home for at least two months. The aim here is to make it more natural for fathers to take time off to raise children as well. At the same time there are plans to extend child care. Until now every child has had the legal right to a place at kindergarten from the age of three until they start school. All-day care is also to be extended even further. For children under the age of three as well there are plans for a further 230,000 crèche places by 2010. This is aimed at making it easier for mothers and fathers to combine working and raising a family.

The monthly child benefit is EUR 154 for each child (EUR 179 as of the fourth child) until the  age of 18. The legal right to up to three years leave from work also makes an important contribution to supporting young parents. Furthermore, as long as there are no valid company  reasons against it, young parents can choose to work part time.

Source:tatsachen-ueber-deutschland