Mutterschaftsgeld Explained in English: German Maternity Pay

Mutterschaftsgeld is money paid during your Mutterschutz (maternity protection period). This is typically:

• •6 weeks before your due date
• •8 weeks after birth (12 weeks for premature or multiple births)

During this time, you're not allowed to work (with limited exceptions), and you receive Mutterschaftsgeld instead.

For employed mothers, Mutterschaftsgeld has two parts:

• •Your health insurance (GKV) pays up to €13/day (about €400/month)
• •Your employer tops this up to your full net salary

If you're employed but privately insured (PKV), you get a one-time €210 from the Bundesamt für Soziale Sicherung, plus your employer still tops up to your full salary.

Self-employed women don't have an employer to top up their salary. What you get depends entirely on your health insurance:

• •GKV with Krankengeld opted in: Your Krankenkasse pays Mutterschaftsgeld at 70% of your assessed income per day. This is the best option, but you must actively add Krankengeld coverage before pregnancy.
• •KSK members (artists, publicists): Your KSK membership includes Krankengeld automatically. You get Mutterschaftsgeld at 70% of your KSK-assessed income through your Krankenkasse.
• •GKV without Krankengeld: You receive nothing during Mutterschutz. Many freelancers don't realize this gap.
• •PKV with Krankentagegeld: Your insurer pays the contracted daily rate. Check your waiting period (Karenzzeit) carefully.
• •PKV without Krankentagegeld: No Mutterschutz payment.

The €210 BAS payment is only for privately insured employees, not for self-employed women. If you're freelancing and planning a family, check your Krankengeld coverage well before pregnancy.

Here's the important part: Mutterschaftsgeld is deducted from your Elterngeld. You don't receive both full amounts.

But you're not losing money. The calculation ensures you get whichever is higher – usually your full salary through Mutterschaftsgeld, which is typically more than Elterngeld.

During Mutterschutz, you're automatically receiving Basiselterngeld months (they're 'used up'), but Mutterschaftsgeld substitutes for the payment.

For most mothers:

• •Months 1-2 (Mutterschutz after birth): You receive Mutterschaftsgeld, not Elterngeld payments
• •Month 3 onwards: You receive Elterngeld directly

These first months still count as your Elterngeld months – they're just paid differently. Plan your total months accordingly. Our step-by-step guide helps you map out your months and submit the application in English.