Apply for maternity benefit as a privately insured person or as a family-insured member of a statutory health insurance fund

As an expectant mother, you can apply for maternity benefit (Mutterschaftsgeld) from the Federal Social Insurance Office (BAS) for the period of your statutory protection periods before and after childbirth, as well as for the day of delivery. To do this, you must meet certain requirements.

During your maternity leave periods before and after childbirth as well as for the day of delivery, you can apply for maternity allowance from the Federal Office for Social Security (BAS), provided you are not a member of a statutory health insurance fund and meet the other requirements. This applies, for example, if you have family or private health insurance. This also applies if you are in marginal employment, i.e., a minijob. The maternity leave periods generally begin 6 weeks before the birth and end 8 to 12 weeks afterwards.

The amount of maternity allowance to be paid is a maximum of EUR 13 per day. However, the maternity allowance from the Federal Office for Social Security (BAS) is legally capped at EUR 210. The calculation of the maternity allowance by the BAS is done on a calendar-day basis, just like with the statutory health insurance funds. The amount is calculated from your net salary, i.e., from your average daily income of the last 3 months before the start of your maternity leave period after deduction of statutory deductions.

You can apply for maternity benefit online at the Federal Office for Social Security (BAS):

• Access the online application for maternity benefit on the website of the Federal Office for Social Security.
• Log in with your BundID account to enable all communication digitally, or select guest access.
• Fill out the form completely.
• Upload the required documents.
• After submitting the application, you have the option to print your application for your records.
• The online application is valid without a signature. Therefore, you do not need to submit your application or your printout additionally by mail.
• The BAS is reviewing your application.
• You can check the status of your application online at any time.
• Upon meeting the eligibility requirements, you will receive written confirmation and the maternity allowance will be paid out to you.

Alternatively, you can also apply for maternity benefit in writing from the BAS:

• Go to the BAS website.
• Download the application form.
• Complete the form in full, sign it, and send it by post with all required documents to the BAS.
  Please note: The BAS only archives the documents you submit in electronic form and destroys the originals. You will therefore not receive the originals back. If necessary, however, you can obtain a certified copy from the BAS.
• The BAS is reviewing your application and will send you a confirmation of receipt by mail as soon as possible.
• You can check the status of your application online at any time.

You should submit the application for maternity allowance as early as possible at the beginning of your maternity protection period. However, you can also submit the application after the birth of your child. For this, however, there is a statute of limitations. This begins after the end of the year in which your maternity protection period started, i.e., on January 1 of the following year. It ends 4 years after this year on December 31. 

• Objection
  • detailed information on how to file an appeal can be found in the notice regarding your application
• social court action