The content of this website has been machine translated. Many current web browsers offer further support for the translation of the original German content as part of their functionality.
Pregnancy and parenthood
Family-friendliness is an important factor in the attractiveness and
competitiveness of businesses in Germany. Studies show that the better work and
family life can be balanced, the more skilled workers are available on the labour
market. There are special regulations to provide economic stability for families. You
will find the relevant information and services here.
As an expectant mother, you can apply for maternity benefit from the Federal Social Security Office (BAS) for the period of protection before and after childbirth and for the day of childbirth. You must meet certain requirements for this.
If you are prohibited from employing employees on maternity leave, you will initially incur costs as an employer, for example for maternity pay and employer contributions. You can apply for reimbursement of these costs from the statutory health insurance funds.
As an employer, do you employ a pregnant or breastfeeding woman? Then, under certain conditions, you can apply for an exemption from the ban on night work and overtime as well as the type and pace of work.
If you become a mother, you can receive maternity benefit for the protection periods before and after childbirth as well as for the day of childbirth. You can apply for maternity benefit from your statutory health insurance fund.
If you are employed in Germany, you have certain rights and obligations. Here you will find information on the legal conditions, for example on statutory working hours or unemployment benefits.