Pregnancy

As soon as a pregnancy has been confirmed, the mother and child enjoy special protection in Germany thanks to the Maternity Protection Act (Mutterschutzgesetz). For example, it offers protection from

• health risks
• overwork on the job
• financial consequences
• termination of a job during pregnancy or after the birth

For this reason, the mother is not permitted to work six weeks before the birth and eight weeks after the birth. This period of time is known as maternity protection (Mutterschutz). For multiple births or premature births, this period is extended. All work is forbidden by law without exception, even if you are feeling very fit.

During this time, you receive no salary from your employer. Instead, you receive maternity pay (Mutterschaftsgeld) from your health insurer.

No. During your pregnancy and up to four months after the birth (in case of a miscarriage, until after the 12th week of pregnancy), you are protected from termination.

Termination is only permitted in very exceptional cases before or after the birth under very special circumstances. If you receive a termination during this time, it is important to seek advice as quickly as possible in order to take any possible legal steps against the termination.

In this case, speak to a pregnancy counselling agency or a solicitor of your choice.

During the first twelve months of your child's life, you are allowed to breastfeed during your working hours. Your boss is not allowed to forbid this. You must make up the time either before or after and it is not permissible to deduct any of your salary.

You are only allowed to go to the doctor during your working hours if the examination cannot be done at any other time. You must make up the lost time either before or after. It is not permissible to deduct any of your salary for this, either.

Because you are not allowed to work before or after the birth, you receive no salary from your employer. Instead, you receive maternity pay from your health insurer. This means that you must submit an application to your insurer in a timely fashion.

For questions regarding maternity pay, it is best to speak to a counselling agency for pregnant women or a family counselling agency. You can get addresses from an MBE (Migrationsberatung [Immigration counselling]) office or via chat.

External Links

Information about maternity pay

Application for maternity pay

Future mothers who receive unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld II/ALG II) or welfare (Sozialhilfe) can also apply for special material and financial benefits. From the 13th week of pregnancy until the birth, you have a right to an additional payment of 17% of the standard rate.

You may also be provided with the necessary basic equipment in terms of clothing and your home for both your pregnancy and the birth. This one-time benefit is also provided to needy mothers who would otherwise have no right to welfare. It is important that an application for the benefits is submitted before the items are purchased. The Job Centre or social service agency (Sozialamt) are responsible.

It is also possible to apply for benefits through the Federal Foundation for Mother and Child (Bundesstiftung Mutter und Kind).

For questions regarding financial support before and after the birth, speak to a counselling agency for pregnant women or a family counselling agency. You can get addresses from an MBE (Migrationsberatung [Immigration counselling]) office or via chat.

External Links

Federal Foundation for Mother and Child

Women who have questions regarding family planning or pregnancy, or who are facing difficulties, are not alone. Pregnancy counselling agenciesprovide information and advice free of charge and, upon request, anonymously regarding any and all questions and worries surrounding pregnancy.

The staff at these counselling agencies provide information about, among other things:

• family benefits (parental allowance [Elterngeld, ElterngeldPlus], maternity pay [Mutterschaftsgeld])
• economic assistance for pregnant women (monetary and material benefits)
• social assistance for pregnant women (e.g. looking for a flat, job or training position)
• labour laws and maternity protection
• prenatal examinations
• the costs of delivery
• and much more

You can obtain addresses of pregnancy counselling agencies from an MBE (Migrationsberatung [Immigration counselling]) office or via chat.

External Links

Information on pregnancy counselling

Find counselling agencies

Help for pregnant women in crisis

In principle, abortion is prohibited by German law. It is permitted, however, to undergo an abortion in the following cases, for which you will not be punished:

• the pregnancy presents a danger to the health of the mother or
• he pregnancy is the result of a crime or
• the abortion takes place after a consultation and within the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy.

In this case, speak to a counselling agency for pregnant women as soon as possible. You can obtain addresses from an MBE (Migrationsberatung [Immigration counselling]) office or via chat.

External Links

Find counselling agencies