Summary
If you're employed with private health insurance, your Mutterschutz entitlements depend on whether your policy includes sick pay. In both cases, you're entitled to a BAS payment of up to €210 and an employer top-up. If your policy includes sick pay, your full previous net income is typically restored. After the birth, you can apply for Kindergeld and Elterngeld, which are generally available to all parents regardless of employment status or insurance type.
How does maternity and parental leave work in Germany?
There are 2 phases, each with different rules and entitlements:
Mutterschutz (maternity protection): A legally protected period where you're not required to work. It starts 6 weeks before your due date and ends 8 weeks after the birth, or 12 weeks for premature or multiple births.
Elternzeit (parental leave): Optional and open to both parents. Can be taken any time in the first 3 years of your child's life.
What are you entitled to during Mutterschutz if your policy doesn't include sick pay?
BAS payment: A one-time payment of up to €210 from BAS (Bundesamt für Soziale Sicherung), the German federal authority that administers maternity payments for people with private health insurance.
Employer top-up: Your employer is generally required to top up the BAS payment toward your previous net income. Check with your employer for the exact amount.
Co-insured spouses: You may also apply if you're co-insured through your employed spouse's policy (including mini-jobs). An employer top-up does not apply if your spouse is not employed.
What are you entitled to during Mutterschutz if your policy includes sick pay?
BAS payment: A one-time payment of up to €210. Co-insured spouses may also apply, provided their spouse is employed (including mini-jobs).
Employer top-up: Your employer is generally required to top up the BAS payment toward your previous net income. Co-insured spouses whose spouse is not employed do not receive this top-up.
Sick pay: Paid out after the waiting period, typically around the time of birth, through the end of Mutterschutz. Combined with the BAS payment and employer top-up, your full previous net income is typically restored.
How is sick pay calculated during Mutterschutz?
Publicly insured employees receive a daily maternity benefit of around €13 from their health insurer. Your sick pay is set up to match this reference rate. Since you receive a one-time payment of €210 from BAS spread across the Mutterschutz period (approx. €2.12/day), your sick pay covers the remaining difference.
BAS payment = €2.12/day
Reference rate = €13/day
Your sick pay = €10.88/day
The figures above are a general illustration. Should there be any changes, your exact daily amount will be confirmed once your application has been processed.
Does sick pay have a waiting period?
Yes. Sick pay payments begin from day 43 of the Mutterschutz period, which typically falls around the time of birth. Your sick pay policy also needs to have been active for at least 8 months before the birth for maternity-related benefits to apply.
What happens to your private health insurance during this period?
Your private health insurance continues without interruption during Mutterschutz and Elternzeit. Your employer's contribution stops from the start of Mutterschutz, which means you're responsible for paying the full premium yourself during this period.
If you are on Elternzeit, you may be able to pause your sick pay contributions for a small monthly fee. Applying an annual deductible can also help lower your monthly costs.
What happens to your benefits after the birth?
From birth, you can apply for Kindergeld (monthly child benefit) and, if eligible, Elterngeld (state parental allowance). Apply as soon as possible, as Kindergeld is retroactive for up to 6 months and Elterngeld for up to 3 months. Late applications may result in lost payments.
You're also entitled to Elternzeit (job-protected parental leave), which begins after Mutterschutz ends. Notice periods apply, so check with your employer in advance. For eligibility and exact amounts, contact your local Elterngeldstelle directly.
Have questions about how to apply for maternity benefits? Our support team is here to help.