You are entitled to parental leave for a limited period of time to care for and raise your child. D he entitlement b in principle, you are entitled to parental leave during the first three years of your child's life.

For births since 01.07.2015, up to a maximum of 24 months of unused parental leave can also be taken between the third birthday and the completion of the child's eighth year.

The application for parental leave must be

• in writing, but informally, to the employer
• within the first three years of the child's life, no later than seven weeks before the desired start of parental leave,
• for births since 01.07.2015: between the third birthday and the completion of the eighth year of life at the latest 13 weeks before the desired start of parental leave.

Employees should not have their parental leave commence until after the end of the postnatal maternity protection period.

For births until 30.06.2015 applies:

Up to a maximum of 12 months of parental leave, which you did not take in the first 3 years of your child's life, can be carried over to the period up to the age of 8 of your child with the consent of your employer.

For births since 01.07.2015 applies:

Up to a maximum of 24 months of parental leave, which you did not take in the first 3 years of your child's life, you can still claim in the period between the 3rd birthday and the completion of the 8th year of your child's life. You do not need your employer's consent for this.

You may work during parental leave if the weekly working time does not exceed 30 hours on average per month.

Part-time work may be carried out:

• at your employer,
• with another employer or
• as a self-employed activity.

Part-time work with another employer or as a self-employed activity requires the consent of your employer. Your employer can only reject your application for urgent operational reasons. The rejection must be received in writing within four weeks of the application.