Maternity leave payment

Maternity leave payment are financial support for pregnant women and mothers who are on maternity leave and are not allowed to work during this period. Maternity leave payment can be received 6 weeks before the birth and up to 8 weeks after the birth. Prerequisites for maternity leave payments are an active employment relationship, a permissible termination during pregnancy or a start of employment after the beginning of the protection period. Self-employed persons may also be eligible for maternity leave payments, depending on their health insurance plan.

In the case of multiple or premature births and – on application – if the child has a disability, the protection period after birth is extended to 12 weeks. Since June 1, 2025, there is also maternity protection after a miscarriage: 2 weeks from the 13th, 6 weeks from the 17th and 8 weeks from the 20th week of pregnancy. Maternity leave payment is also paid during this period. Maternity leave payments are claimed from your statutory health insurance fund, and the employer’s contribution to maternity leave payment is claimed from your employer.