Birth & Mother
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Printable Guide
The German Maternity System
The paperwork, the rights, the timeline.
The key players
- Frauenarzt / Frauenärztin: the gynaecologist; confirms and dates the pregnancy, performs the scans and fine diagnostics
- Hebamme: can do all routine prenatal check-ups except the scans (your choice), attends every birth by law, leads Wochenbett care
- Krankenkasse: pays for almost everything medical
- Arbeitgeber: your employer (notified of pregnancy)
- Elterngeldstelle: processes parental benefit
- Familienkasse: processes Kindergeld
- Standesamt: registers the birth
The Mutterpass
Small vertical booklet issued by your gynaecologist. Carry it at all times. Contains your pregnancy history, scans, blood tests, risk factors, birth, and the first days postpartum.
What Krankenkasse covers (GKV)
- All routine prenatal check-ups
- All Hebamme care across pregnancy, birth, and the Wochenbett
- Birth preparation class (Geburtsvorbereitungskurs)
- Hospital, Geburtshaus, or home birth
- Postnatal recovery course (Rückbildungskurs)
IGeL (Individuelle Gesundheitsleistungen): private add-ons that may be offered to you during appointments. Ask the price before you agree, and check with your gynaecologist or Hebamme whether they are something you actually want or need.
Mutterschutz (protected leave)
- 6 weeks before due date: you may stop working (optional)
- 8 weeks after birth: you must not work (12 for premature, multiple, or disability)
- Mutterschaftsgeld: Krankenkasse pays up to €13/day; employer tops up to net salary
- Enhanced Kündigungsschutz from notification until 4 months post-birth
Elterngeld and Elternzeit
- Up to 3 years job-protected parental leave (Elternzeit)
- Up to 14 months paid Elterngeld per family (12 + 2 bonus if both parents take leave)
- 65–67% of net income, capped at €1,800/month, min. €300
- ElterngeldPlus extends payments at lower monthly rate for part-time return
- Register Elternzeit with employer at least 7 weeks before start
Kindergeld and other benefits
- Kindergeld: €250/month per child (apply via Familienkasse). Paid until 18, or 25 if in education.
- Kinderzuschlag: supplement for lower-income families
- Some Krankenkassen offer a one-off birth payment
- Some Bundesländer add their own family grant, so check your state (e.g. Saxony's Landeserziehungsgeld)
Paperwork timeline
| Weeks 5–8 | First gynaecologist visit. Mutterpass issued. Start Hebamme search. |
| Weeks 8–12 | Contact multiple Hebammen. Book birth preparation. |
| Weeks 12–20 | Notify employer in writing. Start Mutterschutz process. |
| Weeks 20–28 | Decide birth setting. Register with hospital or Geburtshaus. |
| Weeks 30–34 | Anmeldegespräch at hospital. Discuss Elternzeit with partner. |
| Week 36+ | Confirm Wochenbett Hebamme. Pack hospital bag. |
| Within 1 week of birth | Register birth at Standesamt. Order multiple Geburtsurkunden. |
| First weeks postpartum | Apply Elterngeld, Kindergeld. Register baby with Krankenkasse. |
| 7 weeks before Elternzeit | Submit Elternzeit request to employer (written, binding). |
birthandmother.comLast updated July 2026 · Written by Emma