Are you planning to expand your family and wondering what maternity leave looks like in Germany? How long it lasts, who finances it, and how much the maternity allowance is? The German regulations ensure women stable financial support during this special time, but the rules can vary depending on the form of employment and insurance. Check what rights you have, how much you can receive, and how to prepare for the application process to avoid losing benefits.
Maternity leave in Germany – how long does it last and when does it begin? Your calendar for the next few months
When planning maternity leave in Germany, it is important to know its exact time frame to avoid surprises and calmly prepare for the child’s arrival. Current regulations state that this leave begins 6 weeks before the expected due date and lasts 8 weeks after the birth.
Importantly, if the child is born early, the woman does not lose those days – the unused time before the birth is simply added to the time after the birth. For multiple births or health complications, the time after birth is extended to 12 weeks, resulting in a total of up to 18 weeks of leave. However, this is just the first stage – after its end, parents can use parental leave, which allows for longer child care. To receive full benefits, you should submit the necessary documents in a timely manner – not only to your employer but also to your health insurance provider, which pays part of the benefit.
Maternity allowance – how much do you get and who pays it? All about German maternity allowance
During maternity leave, women do not go without income, but the amount of benefits can depend on several factors. The maternity allowance in Germany is paid by the statutory health insurance and amounts to a maximum of 13 euros per day. This does not mean the woman loses part of her salary – the employer is obliged to top up the difference so that she receives overall the full amount of the average net salary from the last three months before the start of the leave.
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If the woman is privately insured, the benefits may look slightly different – in this case, you should check the terms of your policy. The application for maternity allowance should be made to your health insurance provider, along with a medical certificate of the expected due date.
For women employed in a mini-job or self-employed, the conditions for receiving the benefit may differ, so it’s good to consult with the insurer a few months before the planned leave.
Are you working in Germany? Check if you are entitled to maternity leave and what conditions you must meet
Not every woman employed in Germany automatically qualifies for maternity benefits. To receive maternity leave in Germany, several important conditions must be met.
- First – health insurance. The woman must be insured with statutory health insurance (GKV) or have private insurance with an additional policy that entitles her to sickness benefits.
- Second – employment status. The leave is available to women employed full-time, part-time, and in a mini-job, provided they are insured.Self-employed women can only count on maternity allowance if they pay voluntary health insurance contributions together with the entitlement to sickness benefits.
- Third – insurance and employment status. To receive maternity allowance, the woman must be employed at the start of maternity protection and insured with statutory health insurance (GKV) with the entitlement to sickness benefits. There is no minimum employment duration or requirement to pay contributions for a specific period. In case of self-employment, the benefit is only available if the woman pays voluntary health insurance contributions with the option of sickness benefits.
- Fourth – an important condition is the legal residence in Germany – the woman must be registered in the country and have the status of a resident.
Maternity leave in Germany and parental leave – what are the differences and how do you combine them?
For many parents, receive maternity leave in Germany is only the beginning of a longer break for child care. After the end of the 14-18 weeks, the mother or father can take parental leave which can last up to 3 years from the birth of the child. During this time, parents no longer receive maternity allowance, but they can apply for parental allowance, which is 65-67% of the previous income, with a maximum benefit limit. Parental leave, however, is not paid by the employer – it is a flexible option for parents who want to stay longer at home with the child while securing their job for the future. It is also important to remember that parental leave can be split – for example, using part of it immediately and saving the rest for later before the child turns three years old.
Are you self-employed or in a mini-job? Check if you are entitled to maternity allowance
The amount of maternity allowance in Germany and the fact of receiving it largely depends on the form of employment and the type of health insurance.
Self-employed women are only entitled to full maternity allowance, if they are insured with the statutory health insurance (GKV) and pay contributions with entitlement to sickness benefits.
Otherwise – for example, if they are privately insured or do not have the entitlement to sickness benefits – they do not receive full benefits from the health insurance, but they can apply for maternity allowance from the federal budget, which is paid by the Federal Insurance Office and amounts to a maximum of 210 euros (one-time).
Similar rules apply to women in mini-jobs – if they do not have their own health insurance (e.g., are insured through their husband), they may not receive standard maternity allowance. Therefore, you should assess your situation in advance to secure your own funds for the work break if necessary.
How and where do you apply for benefits? A step-by-step guide for expectant mothers
To receive maternity leave in Germany use it, several formalities need to be completed.
The first step is to obtain a medical certificate of the expected due date – you should present this document to your health insurance provider, which calculates the maternity allowance based on it.
Then you should inform the employer and notify them of the planned start of the leave.
The next step is to formally apply for maternity allowance with your health insurance provider – the form can be completed online or traditionally, with the required documents. If the woman is privately insured, she should contact her insurer and check whether other procedures apply in her case.
The final step is to ensure that all formalities have been accepted – it’s worth contacting the employer and the health insurance provider to confirm the payments.
Multiple birth, premature birth or complications – when is maternity leave in Germany longer?
Although the standard duration of maternity leave in Germany is 14 weeks, there are situations where the woman is entitled to longer leave. This especially applies to multiple births – in such a case, the time after birth is extended to 12 weeks, resulting in a total of 18 weeks of leave. The same rules apply to premature births or health complications – if the child requires intensive medical care, the mother can count on a longer work break, and the benefits are paid according to the same principles.
Maciej Szewczyk
He gained experience as a consultant on IT projects for many international companies. In 2017, he founded the startup taxando GmbH, where he developed the innovative tax app Taxando, which simplifies the filing of annual tax returns.
Maciej Szewczyk combines technological expertise with in-depth knowledge of tax regulations, making him an expert in his field. In his private life, he is a happy husband and father and lives with his family in Berlin.
