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What does Mutterschutz mean?

Mutterschutz (maternity protection) protects pregnant women and mothers after the birth at work, their health and their income.

der Mutterschutz

There are protection periods before and after the birth. After the birth, you may not work during this time.

During the protection periods, you usually get maternity pay (Mutterschaftsgeld) from the Krankenkasse and a top-up from your employer.

During pregnancy and for some time after the birth, you are specially protected against dismissal.

Tell your employer about the pregnancy as soon as you can. Then they can follow the rules that protect you.

Example sentence

Die Schutzfrist nach dem Mutterschutzgesetz beginnt am 12.12.2026.

The protection period under the Maternity Protection Act begins on 12.12.2026.

What you can do

Ask your Krankenkasse early about maternity pay. You need a certificate of the expected birth date for it.

  • Elternzeit Elternzeit (parental leave) is time off work to look after your own child. Mothers and fathers can take it.
  • Elterngeld Elterngeld (parental allowance) is money for parents who care for their child after the birth. They then work less or not at all.
  • Krankenkasse The Krankenkasse is your statutory health insurance. It pays for doctors, hospitals and many medicines.
  • Arbeitsvertrag The Arbeitsvertrag (employment contract) sets out your work: what you do, how much you work and how much you earn.