Maternity leave in Germany – how long does it last and what payment can you count on?

Mutterschaftsgeld – how much will you get and who pays? Everything about German maternity allowance

During maternity leave, women don’t remain without income, but the amount of benefits may depend on several factors. Maternity allowance in Germany (Mutterschaftsgeld) is paid by the statutory health insurance and amounts to a maximum of 13 euros per day. However, this doesn’t mean that the woman loses part of her salary – the employer is obligated to pay the difference so that she receives the full amount of average net salary from the last three months before starting leave.

If the woman has private health insurance, benefits may look somewhat different – in this case, it’s worth checking the conditions of your policy. The application for Mutterschaftsgeld should be submitted to your health insurance fund, including a medical certificate about the expected due date.

For women employed in Minijobs or self-employed, the conditions for receiving benefits may differ, so it’s good to consult with the insurer several months before the planned leave.

Do you work in Germany? Check if you’re 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 key conditions must be met.

• First – health insurance. The woman must be covered by statutory health insurance (GKV) or have private insurance with an additional policy entitling her to sickness benefits.
• Second – employment status. Leave is available to women employed full-time, part-time, and also working in Minijobs, provided they are insured. Self-employed women can count on Mutterschaftsgeld only if they pay voluntary health insurance contributions along with the right to sickness benefits.
• Third – insurance and employment status. To receive maternity allowance (Mutterschaftsgeld), the woman must be employed at the time maternity protection begins and covered by statutory health insurance (GKV) with entitlement to sickness benefits. There’s no minimum employment period or requirement to pay contributions for a specific time. In case of self-employment, the benefit is only available if the woman voluntarily pays health insurance contributions with the sickness benefit option.
• Fourth – an important condition is legal residency in Germany – the woman must be registered in the country and have resident status.

Maternity leave in Germany vs. parental leave – how do they differ and how to combine them?

For many parents, maternity leave in Germany is just the beginning of a longer break for childcare. After the 14-18 week period ends, the mother or father can take parental leave (Elternzeit), which can last up to 3 years from the child’s birth. During this time, parents no longer receive Mutterschaftsgeld but can apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld), which amounts to 65-67% of previous earnings, with a maximum benefit limit applying. However, parental leave isn’t paid by the employer – it’s a flexible option for parents who want to stay home longer with the child while securing their job for the future. It’s also worth remembering that Elternzeit can be divided into periods – e.g., use part immediately and save the rest for later, before the child turns three.

Are you self-employed or in a Minijob? Check if you’re entitled to Mutterschaftsgeld

The amount of maternity allowance in Germany and the fact of receiving it largely depend on the form of employment and type of health insurance.

Self-employed women are entitled to full Mutterschaftsgeld only if they are insured with the statutory health insurance (GKV) and pay contributions with entitlement to sickness benefits.

Otherwise – e.g., if they are privately insured or don’t have entitlement to sickness benefits – they won’t receive full benefits from the health insurance but can apply for Mutterschaftsgeld from the federal budget paid by the Federal Insurance Office (Bundesversicherungsamt), which amounts to a maximum of 210 euros (one-time payment).

Similar rules apply to women in Minijobs – if they don’t have their own health insurance (e.g., they’re co-insured through their husband), they may not receive standard maternity allowance. Therefore, it’s worth checking your situation beforehand to secure funds for the work break if necessary.

How and where to apply for benefits? Step-by-step guide for expectant mothers

To use maternity leave in Germany, several formalities must be completed.

The first step is obtaining a medical certificate about the expected due date – this document should be provided to your health insurance fund, which calculates Mutterschaftsgeld based on it.

Next, you should notify your employer, informing them about the planned start of leave.

The next stage is submitting a formal application for Mutterschaftsgeld to your Krankenkasse – the form can be filled out online or traditionally, attaching required documents. If the woman is privately insured, she should contact her insurer and check if different procedures apply in her case.

The final step is ensuring that all formalities have been accepted – it’s worth contacting the employer and health insurance fund to confirm payments.

Multiple birth, premature baby, or complications – when is maternity leave in Germany longer?

Although the standard period of maternity leave in Germany is 14 weeks, there are situations where the woman is entitled to longer leave. This mainly concerns multiple births – in such cases, the time after birth extends to 12 weeks, giving a total of 18 weeks of leave. The same rules apply in cases of premature birth or health complications – if the child requires intensive medical care, the mother can count on a longer work break, and benefits will be paid according to the same principles.