Karenz, Papamonat & Part-Time: The Survival Guide for New Parents in Austria
- AKTIVadmin
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
As soon as a baby is on the way, your head isn't just filled with questions about nursery colors, but also with legal concerns. The Austrian social system offers fantastic opportunities for parents, but for international employees or expats, the specific rules, deadlines, and German terminology can feel like a bureaucratic jungle.
Whether you are a mother or a father: knowing your rights allows you to enjoy the time with your child stress-free. We have summarized the most important facts from current Austrian labor law for you – from the first application to your return to work.
1. Elternkarenz (Parental Leave): Duration and Sharing
The classic question: How long can I actually stay home from work?
The General Rule: The entitlement to Karenz (unpaid leave with job protection) basically lasts until the day before the child's 22nd month of age.
Extension to 24 Months: If you are a single parent (confirmation required!) or if both parents share the leave, the entitlement extends until the child’s 2nd birthday.
How Sharing Works: To extend the duration, each parent must take at least 2 months of leave. You can switch between parents a maximum of twice (3 parts total).
Tip: During the first switch, you can stay home together for one month. However, be careful: This month is deducted from the total duration (Karenz then ends after the 23rd month of age).
When do I have to notify my employer?
Mothers: Before the end of the Mutterschutz (Maternity Protection period, usually 8 weeks after birth).
Fathers: At the latest 8 weeks after birth (or 8 weeks before the start of the leave).
Our Recommendation: Always do this in writing!
2. Papamonat (Early Paternity Leave)
If fathers want to support the family directly after birth, there is the Papamonat. This is a release from work duties (unpaid by the employer).
Most Important Deadline: You must announce the Papamonat to your employer at least 3 months before the calculated due date! You then confirm the exact start date no later than one week after the birth.
The Money: Since the employer does not pay a salary during this time, you apply for the Familienzeitbonus (Family Time Bonus) from the health insurance fund (ÖGK). In 2025, this is approx. 54.87 Euro per day.
Warning: The period of leave from work and the period of receiving the bonus money must overlap exactly, otherwise you risk having to pay it back!
3. Working during Leave & Vacation Rights
Are you allowed to earn extra money during Karenz?
Marginal Employment (Geringfügig): Yes, this is allowed with your own employer as well as others (for others, you may need consent if your contract forbids side jobs).
Above the Marginal Limit: With your own employer, you may earn more than the marginal limit for a maximum of 13 weeks per calendar year.
What happens to my annual leave? Time spent in Karenz or Papamonat counts fully towards seniority, notice periods, etc. However: In the year you are on leave, your vacation entitlement is aliquoted. During the leave itself, no new vacation days accrue.
4. The "Insurance Trap"
A point often overlooked: Health and pension insurance are usually linked to receiving Childcare Allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld - KBG).
The Problem: If you choose a long Karenz duration (e.g., 2 years) but only choose a KBG payment model for 1 year, you are no longer automatically insured in the second year!
The Solution: You must insure yourself or apply for co-insurance (Mitversicherung) with your partner in time.
5. Back to the Job: Elternteilzeit (Parental Part-Time)
After leave, many parents want to reduce their hours. Austrian law distinguishes between two cases:
A) The Legal Right (Rechtsanspruch – until 7th birthday) You can legally enforce part-time work if:
The company has more than 20 employees.
You have been working there for at least 3 years. Working hours must be reduced by at least 20% (minimum 12h/week). Protection against dismissal applies here until 4 weeks after the child's 4th birthday.
B) Agreed Part-Time (Vereinbarte Elternteilzeit – until 4th birthday) If you don't meet the criteria above (e.g., smaller company), you can still try to agree on part-time work until the child's 4th birthday. Protection against dismissal due to demanding part-time work applies here as well.
From Papamonat to shared Karenz and Elternteilzeit: The Austrian legislator offers many puzzle pieces for reconciling family and career. The calendar is often the deciding factor. Keeping an eye on deadlines like the "3-month warning" for the Papamonat or the insurance duration regarding Childcare Allowance saves you a lot of trouble.
Talk to your employer early and put agreements in writing – this way, nothing stands in the way of a relaxed family time.