Maternity Protection & Maternity Benefit — Protection Periods and Benefits

Maternity Protection in Germany

The Mutterschutzgesetz (MuSchG) protects pregnant and nursing women in employment. It applies to all female employees — regardless of nationality.

Protection Periods

The 6 weeks before birth that were not taken due to premature birth are added to the protection period after birth.

Termination Protection

• From start of pregnancy to 4 months after delivery
• Also applies during probation period!
• The employer cannot terminate — not even with notice
• Exception: Only with consent of the competent supervisory authority (extremely rare)
• Important: Inform your employer of your pregnancy — only then does protection take effect

Employment Bans

Beyond protection periods, there are additional bans:
- Night work (20:00–6:00): prohibited
- Sunday and holiday work: prohibited
- Heavy physical labor: prohibited
- Hazardous substances: prohibited
- A doctor may issue an individual employment ban (e.g., in high-risk pregnancies)

Maternity Benefit

From Health Insurance

• Max. €13 per calendar day (approx. €390/month)
• Requirement: statutory health insurance with own entitlement
• Application: at your health insurance fund with medical certificate of expected delivery date

Employer Subsidy

• Your employer pays the difference between health insurance maternity benefit (€13/day) and your average net salary
• Result: you receive your full net salary during maternity protection
• The employer is reimbursed for the subsidy through the U2 reallocation procedure

Privately insured or marginally employed?

• One-time payment of up to €210 from the Federal Office for Social Security
• No employer subsidy for mini-jobs

After Maternity Protection

• Apply for parental leave (up to 3 years)
• Apply for parental benefit (up to €1,800/month)
• You have a right to return to your job

Status: March 2026. All information without guarantee.