As a pregnant employee, you are entitled to special protection against dismissal. From the beginning of your pregnancy until the end of the maternity protection period after childbirth, termination of employment (with very few exceptions) is not permitted. This dismissal protection applies equally to permanent employment contracts with probationa
Legal Foundations
On January 1, 2018, the new Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG) came into effect. According to §1 Section 4 MuSchG (Mutterschutzgesetz) , the provisions of the act now apply to anyone who is pregnant, has given birth, or is breastfeeding. This means that the law applies not only to cisgender women but also to trans* and intersex in
The university is obligated under §26 MuSchG to make the act accessible to employees for review, either by displaying it, posting it, or providing it electronically.
Here, you can find the latest version of the Maternity Protection Act.
The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth has compiled a clear and comprehensive guide on maternity protection in the Maternity Protection Guide. It is also possible to have the information read out to you.
Every year, the federal government allocates significant funds to families, distributed across various benefits. Here, we provide an initial overview of the financial support options available for families and during pregnancy.
Our tip: Start preparing your applications before the birth and complete them as much as possible in advance.
Maternity Allowance
You are entitled to maternity allowance if you are employed or in marginal employment. If you are a member of a statutory health insurance scheme, you can apply for maternity allowance through your health insurance provider.
Further information about maternity benefits can be found on the Family Portal.
If you are privatel
Child Benefit
Child benefit is an income-independent financial support for families with children. It can be applied for immediately after the child's birth at the Family Offices of the Employment Agencies or the Family Office for Public Service Employees.
Further information, as well as the application form, can be found here.
Further informa
Parental Allowance
Parental allowance supports the financial stability of families and allows parents to dedicate time to their child.
You can find more information here.
Child Supplement, Benefits for Education and Participation, and Housing Allowance
With a low income, many parents are eligible for child supplement, the education package, and/or housing allowance—this applies to both couples and single parents. Families are eligible for the child supplement if the parents' income covers their own needs but not th
Advance Maintenance Payment
Single parents can apply for advance maintenance payment for children under the age of 18 at the Youth Welfare Office if the person obligated to pay maintenance does not pay at all, pays irregularly, or if paternity has not been established. The amount of the payment always depends on the age of the child.
Information
