Applying for maternity benefit: how it works

The time around the birth of a child is a special phase in life - characterized by anticipation, preparation and many new emotions. But it also brings with it financial questions: Will the savings be enough for the baby carriage, car seat, crib and other equipment, for the endless diapers, for the clothes and shoes that are constantly changing size, for the medication, for babysitters and unexpected expenses and so on? One of the most important forms of support for expectant mothers in Germany is maternity benefit. But who is entitled to it, how much is it and how do you apply for it? Find out everything you need to know here.

Your entitlement: maternity benefits and maternity pay

Maternity benefits in Germany include various financial aids that are available to expectant mothers during pregnancy and after the birth. These benefits are intended to ensure that women are financially secure during this special phase of their lives and can concentrate on their health and their child. But what specific support is available and what are the differences?

• Maternity benefit: This benefit is paid by the statutory health insurance fund and is aimed at employees who are not allowed to work during the maternity protection period - six weeks before and eight weeks after the birth. It is intended to partially compensate for the loss of income during this period.
• Maternity protection pay: If a pregnant woman is unable to continue working before the start of the maternity protection period due to restrictions under maternity protection law (e.g. due to a ban on employment), but is not entitled to maternity pay, the employer pays the so-called maternity protection pay. This corresponds to the average net earnings of the last three months.
• Further helpIn addition to maternity pay and maternity protection pay, there is additional financial support for parents:
  
  • Parental allowance: Financial support for parents who care for their child after the birth and interrupt or reduce their employment. This benefit is available to both mothers and fathers. The amount depends on the income before the birth and can be between 300 and 1,800 euros per month.
  • Parental leave: Legally regulated period during which parents can take time off work to look after their child without losing their job. Fathers and mothers can each take up to three years of parental leave and divide it up flexibly between them.
  • Child benefit: A regular state payment to support the upbringing of children. Both parents are entitled to it regardless of their employment status. Child benefit currently amounts to at least 250 euros per month and child.

These benefits help to reduce the financial burden after the birth and create a stable foundation for the first few months with the child.

Difference between maternity benefit and parental benefit

While maternity benefit covers the period immediately before and after the birth, parental allowance only begins after the end of maternity leave. In the first few weeks after the birth, maternity benefit is offset against parental allowance. This means that a lower amount of parental allowance is often paid during this phase in order to avoid double payments. After that, full parental allowance is paid to support parents financially during the first months or years with their child.

These benefits help to reduce the financial burden after the birth and create a stable foundation for the first few months with the child.

Requirements for applying for maternity benefit

In order to receive maternity benefit, certain conditions must be met. These include being insured with a statutory health insurance fund and being employed so that you are entitled to continued payment of wages. Maternity protection begins six weeks before the birth and usually ends eight weeks afterwards - this period is extended to twelve weeks in the case of multiple births or premature births. Unemployed people who receive unemployment benefit I can also receive maternity benefit. If you are unemployed, it is worth finding out early on how to apply for unemployment benefit.Unfortunately, self-employed people with private insurance or housewives are not entitled to maternity benefit, but under certain conditions they can apply for parental benefit. You can contact your insurance company to find out more about this.

Step-by-step guide: Applying for maternity benefit

How to apply for maternity benefit quickly and easily:

1. Obtain a certificate from your doctor or midwife: Your doctor will issue you with a certificate stating the expected date of birth (at the earliest 7 weeks before the birth).
2. Submit an application to your health insurance company: Send the certificate to your statutory health insurance fund.
3. Inform your employer: If your income is over 13 euros per day, your employer will also need a copy.
4. Receive payment: Payments are usually made in two installments: one before and one after the birth.

If you are unsure, a specialist lawyer for employment law can help you enforce your claims.

Special cases: married and unmarried couples, unknown father

Legally, it makes no difference whether a mother is married or unmarried - both have the same entitlement to maternity benefit and financial support. However, there may be differences when it comes to joint insurance or tax aspects.

What happens if the father is not known or not involved? If the father of the child is not known or does not wish to be involved in the care of the child, this has no effect on the entitlement to maternity benefit. However, you should find out about possible maintenance claims and legal steps at an early stage. The amount of maternity benefit is made up as follows

The amount of maternity benefit depends on your previous income: During maternity leave, employees receive up to 13 euros per calendar day from their statutory health insurance fund. If you earn more than this amount before the birth, your employer will pay the difference as a subsidy. In total, you can receive up to 2,970 euros in maternity benefit, the exact amount depends on your previous income. Mini-jobbers who are privately insured through their employer do not receive maternity benefit from the health insurance fund, but from the Federal Insurance Office.

Important: If you are in a fixed-term employment relationship that ends during the maternity protection period, you will still receive maternity benefit for the entire protection period.

Important: A change in the law in 2025 has also extended maternity protection for women after a miscarriage from the 20th week of pregnancy. You can find out more here.

Know your rights and be supported

Maternity benefit is an important financial support for expectant mothers. 

With good preparation, the application can be made easily so that you can look forward to the time with your baby.

If you want to know more about jobs and working conditions in Germany, WorkerHero offers detailed information about different professions, salary structures and career opportunities - ideal for anyone who wants to get back to work after parental leave!