Maternity protection

Maternity protection (Mutterschutz) protects pregnant employees and their babies in Germany through employment bans and financial security.

Periods:

• 6 weeks before the expected due date: ban on employment (the pregnant woman may voluntarily continue working)
• 8 weeks after the birth: absolute ban on employment (no work allowed!)
• 12 weeks after the birth: for premature births, multiple births, or if the child has a disability

Financial security:

• Maternity allowance: €13/day from the health insurer
• Employer top-up: the difference to your full net salary
• Result: 100% of your previous net salary

Protection against dismissal: from the start of pregnancy until 4 months after the birth, the employer may not dismiss you – without exception.