Maternity benefit

Maternity benefit is a compensation benefit paid to working women during maternity leave.

If you work despite the maternity protection period, you will not receive maternity pay but your regular salary.

How much is maternity pay?

Employees with statutory health insurance receive maternity benefit for 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after the birth. This is paid by the health insurance fund and amounts to up to €13 per day. The employer tops up the payment so that the employee receives her previous net salary during maternity leave.

Mini-jobbers or those with private health insurance receive a one-off maximum of € 210.

Important information on short-time work during the corona pandemic: It has no effect on the amount of maternity benefit.

How to apply

The following must be done to apply for maternity benefit:

• Obtain a certificate from your doctor confirming the expected date of birth
• Apply for maternity benefit from the health insurance fund with this copy.
• Also submit the certificate to the employer for the employer’s contribution.

Employees may not be employed for 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after giving birth. During this protection period, also known as maternity protection, they receive their pay. If twins are expected or a child with a disability, this protection period is extended to 12 weeks after the birth. If the child is born prematurely, money is also paid for the days that the child was born prematurely.

Taxes

Another important piece of information is that the money, including the employer’s allowance, is not taxable. In addition, employees who receive maternity benefit remain exempt from contributions to statutory pension insurance as well as health and unemployment insurance, provided there is no other income subject to contributions.

Part-time employee Student

If you have statutory health insurance as a student and are employed, you will receive maternity benefit of up to €13 per day if you are not paid during the protection period. You may also receive an employer’s allowance. The prerequisite for this is that your average calendar day’s pay before the start of maternity protection was more than €13 net per day.

Regulations for trainees & students

As a pupil, trainee or student, it is only possible to receive maternity benefit if you have a part-time job. If you do not have a part-time job, you are unfortunately not entitled to any money.