There is no denying that students who are or who will become parents face certain challenges. Together, we will try to address these head on, and find individual study solutions: Students can either take a break or continue to study part-time or with a reduction in workload. BMS will find a way to cover the student's individual needs as a parent. The Diversity Manager will help you in all matters associated with childcare - both for regular hours and for selected evenings or weekends.


Financial Support


BMS Scholarship holders

In order to cover part of the costs associated with childcare the BMS will augment the BMS scholarship by a flat rate of 400 Euro per month for the first child plus 100 Euro per month for every further child in the care of a BMS student.

(download for German speaking scholarship holders:
Familiengerechte Ausstattung von aus Mitteln der Exzellenzinitiative finanzierten Stipendien)


Phase II students employed at a FU, HU or TU

If you are a Phase II student and you are employed in a PhD position according to German law WissZeitVG, your work contract can be prolonged for the duration of your parental leave.

Child Benefit (Kindergeld)

At present (from January 2025), the following monthly child benefit rate is 255 euros for each child. You submit the application for child benefit to the child benefit office - as soon as possible after the birth, but not before you have been informed of your child's tax ID number. (One of the first letters your child will ever receive is one by the German finance department containing their tax ID number.) At the time of application, you will not be able to receive child benefit payments reaching back more than 6 months into the past.

Parental Allowance (Elterngeld)

Elterngeld compensates for your loss of income after the birth during the time you are staying at home with your child (Elternzeit). It is paid whether or not you had any income before the birth. If you had no income, you will receive the minimum amount of 300 euros per month. Scholarships are not considered as an income. If you were working, you will receive 65% of your average net income of your job before the birth, but a maximum of 1800 euros per month.

The Elterngeld is paid for a period of 12 months after the birth of the child. You can extend the period to 14 months if you are a single parent, or if your partner also takes at least 2 months off from his/her job. You have the option to double the duration of the payment (maximum 24 months) while only receiving half of the monthly rate each month. This is an attractive option if you wish to work part-time (max. 32 hours per week) after the birth.

Conditions for international students to receive "Kindergeld" and "Elterngeld"

If you come from an EU country or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you can receive the child benefit (Kindergeld) and parental allowance (Elterngeld). International students from non-EU countries who have a residence permit for studying (§16 AufenthG) are not entitled to these benefits. If you are employed at the university as a Phase II student, you might be entitled to both, depending on your home country and type of residence permit.

Official infosite (german only) by The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth
Official infosite (summary in english) by The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth

Health Insurance

In the case of pregnancy or childbirth, the health insurance carrier will usually pay for regular check-ups and care by a midwife before, during and after the birth. Please inform your health insurance of your pregnancy and ask for the exact benefits.

Children of international students

The residence status of a child of international students depends on the residence status of its parents. International students (from non-EU countries) usually have a temporary residence status. The residence permit for children mirrors the status of the parent who is entitled to custody. To receive a residence permit for children from non-EU citizens proof of health insurance and finance will need to be provided. In addition, you will need the child's passport (if available), the passports of both parents, 2 passport photographs per child and the birth certificate (German original or certified translation). Children of EU-citizens receive a certificate (Freizügigkeitsbescheinigung) according to §5 AufenthG (Residence Act).

Pregnant? Here are your next steps:

If you are expecting a child it can feel a little overwhelming, so here are some tips for a smooth transition into family life.

First of all: get as much information and help as you possibly can. Germany offers a lot of support and opportunities for families, but you need to know where to find them.

For information please contact the family support centers of your university:
Family support center FU
Family support center HU
Family support center TU

You may also look for a local family center (Familienzentrum) in your district, a local coordinator for single parents (Koordinierungsstelle für Alleinerziehende) or other institutions, offering consultation for families.

An official, detailed overview, including all the next steps and institutions in Berlin Mitte can be found here (German only):

Fahrplan rund um die Geburt

Summary