Overview of benefits
Let's find out how much money you get during maternity and parental leave! The dark spots in the pictures indicate when you get the benefits. Each benefit is explained below.
In a nutshell: you get benefits up to the amount of your usual net income on both private and public health insurance.
Benefits under private health insurance
Benefits under public health insurance
Before and after maternity leave
Financial support if you are too ill to work
In Germany, you get 14 weeks of maternity leave: 6 weeks before your baby is born and 8 weeks after. Your doctor may ask you not to work even before or after that. In this case, you're eligible for either of the 2 benefits below.
| Maternity protection pay | Sick pay |
Who? | You're employed with a Germany-based company | You're earning more than €520 per month, but not through employment
You've got public health insurance, or private health insurance with a sick pay add-on |
How much? | Your usual monthly income | Up to 70% of your usual monthly income |
How? | Submit the sick note to your employer | Submit the sick note to your health insurance |
Parental allowance after your baby is born
Get more information and apply. This is a monthly payment you can get for 12-24 months if you fulfill the basic conditions:
You bring up your child and live in the same household in Germany
You work less than 32 hours per week
You are from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, or have a residency permit for Germany
The total income of you and your spouse is less than €175.000 per year
| With private health insurance | With public health insurance |
Who? | Anyone with private health insurance who fulfils the basic conditions | You get parental benefits if it is higher than the combination of the maternity benefits and the employer contributions to the maternity benefits. |
How much? | 65% of your usual income: €150 - €1800 per month
| Up to €150 - €1800 per month If you get maternity benefits and employer contributions, the parental allowance is reduced accordingly. |
During your maternity leave
Maternity benefits
Depending on your employment situation and your health insurance, you'll get the benefits from a different institution. If you're self-employed with private health insurance, you don't get maternity benefits. Instead, you'll get sick pay and parental allowance.
| From the BAS | From the public health provider |
Who? |
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How much? | 1 Payment: €210 | 2 Payment: €546 before birth, €624 after birth
It's based on your income during the last 3 months before the maternity protection period. You get a maximum of €13 per calendar day for 14 weeks. |
How? | Apply at the BAS. If you have private health insurance, the BAS will ask for a "Bescheinigung der Krankenkasse über Mutterschaftsgeld". You can get this from our team. | Apply through your public health provider |
Sick pay
This is a one-time payment you receive 8 weeks after your baby is born.
Who? |
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How much? | Combined with the maternity benefits and/or parental allowance, you can get up to 70% of your net income. |
How? |
Employer contribution to maternity benefits
Regardless of your health insurance, your employer may provide you with extra income during the maternity leave.
Who? |
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How much? | Combined with the other benefits, you get your usual total income. |
How? | We recommend asking your employer as the process varies between companies. |