Maternity protection law (Mutterschutzrecht) protects pregnant employees and breastfeeding mothers in the workplace and provides financial support during maternity leave.
Protection period
- 6 weeks before the expected birth (unless voluntarily waived)
- 8 weeks after birth (12 weeks for multiple or premature births)
Maternity benefit (Mutterschaftsgeld)
During the protection period, employed women receive their average net salary of the last 3 months. The health insurer pays up to 13 €/day; the employer makes up the difference.
Sources: MuSchG, § 24i SGB V.