Navigating pregnancy and childbirth can be exciting, but also overwhelming, especially in a new country.
Germany’s healthcare system offers comprehensive support throughout the journey, from fertility treatments to postpartum recovery.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of how Germany supports families and what steps to take at every stage.
Both public and private health insurance cover a standard set of medical services to monitor your health and your baby’s development:
Three ultrasound scans: Usually performed in the 9–12th, 19–22nd, and 29–32nd weeks of pregnancy. These monitor fetal growth, organ development, and placenta position.
Urine, blood sugar, and bacterial screenings: Help detect gestational diabetes, urinary tract infections, or asymptomatic bacterial infections that could complicate the pregnancy.
Blood tests: Determine your blood group and screen for infections like rubella, syphilis, and HIV. These early checks are vital for ensuring proper prenatal care.
High-risk pregnancy screenings: If there’s any sign of complications, your doctor may recommend more advanced procedures like:
Sonographic examinations: Additional ultrasounds may be prescribed if your pregnancy requires closer monitoring.
Birth preparation classes: Mothers are entitled to 14 hours of classes, led by certified midwives. However, this coverage does not extend to partners, who must typically pay out of pocket if they wish to attend.
Most private health insurance (PKV or Privaten Krankenversicherung) plans cover the **Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT), Pränataldiagnostik.
This test can detect common genetic abnormalities (such as trisomy 21, 18, and 13) and allows parents to learn the baby’s sex early in pregnancy, typically from the 9th week onward.If you’re covered by public health insurance (GKV, or gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung), the NIPT is only reimbursed when there’s a medical indication, like advanced maternal age or abnormal ultrasound findings. Without such a risk factor, you must pay for the test yourself (from €130 to €300).
Whether you’re planning a hospital delivery or a home birth, both public and private insurance cover essential care:
Postnatal care is an essential part of recovery, and Germany’s health system provides generous support in the weeks and months after birth:
Midwife visits:
Gynecological follow-up: Includes a check-up about six weeks after delivery to ensure your recovery is on track.
Postnatal exercises (Rückbildungsgymnastik): Up to 10 hours of classes with a physiotherapist or midwife. These help rebuild abdominal and pelvic floor strength and must be completed within 9 months of birth.
There are a few services that are not included under either public or private health insurance unless medically indicated:
Prenatal yoga and pregnancy-specific exercise classes (except in rare cases when prescribed).
Doulas: These birth companions are not licensed medical professionals, so their services are out of pocket.
Extra ultrasounds or optional blood tests: For example, if you want more than the three standard ultrasounds or genetic testing for reassurance, you’ll likely need to pay yourself.
Dietary supplements: Items like folic acid or prenatal vitamins aren’t reimbursed.
Partner support:
Pregnancy gymnastics: May not be covered by all public insurers—check with your provider for specifics.
If you’re a private customer at Feather, we recommend checking out this FAQ for more on what’s included under your plan.
Germany offers structured but limited fertility treatment support through public and private health insurance systems.
However, eligibility rules, cost-sharing, and legal restrictions shape what’s available and who qualifies.
Under Germany’s public insurance system, fertility treatments are only partially reimbursed, and only if strict requirements are met.
These rules are laid out in §27a of the Fifth Book of the Social Code, which governs financial support for medically justified fertility interventions.
Eligibility requirements are:
If you fulfill these requirements, you can be approved for these treatments:
Insemination (IUI):
IVF: Up to 3 treatment cycles.
ICSI: Also up to 3 treatment cycles.
GIFT (Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer): Up to 2 cycles.
Before starting, the treating physician must submit a detailed treatment and cost plan to the insurance provider. If approved, the plan is valid for 12 months and must be completed within that time.
Public insurance typically covers 50% of approved treatment costs. The couple is responsible for the rest, plus any non-covered services or medications.
For privately insured couples, benefits vary significantly depending on your insurance and contract.
For example:
On Feather’s standard private plan, fertility treatment is excluded.
Feather’s Plus and Premium plans offer much broader support:
Yet, there are still some conditions to meet for coverage. They vary from one company to the next. At Feather, they are:
Always confirm coverage details with your provider before starting treatment. Conditions and reimbursement rates vary more widely in private insurance than in public.
Whether public or private, several fertility-related services are excluded or only partially reimbursed:
Unmarried couples: Not eligible under public insurance. Some private plans may allow it, but coverage is not guaranteed.
Germany’s prenatal care follows a structured, trimester-based schedule, balancing routine checkups with optional screenings.
Germany’s Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) provides detailed maternity guidelines that all statutory insurers follow. These help define which services are mandatory, which are optional, and how often they are offered.If you’re privately insured, check with your provider (contact us here) to see what extra tests or services may be reimbursed beyond the public health insurance standard.
A positive pregnancy test marks the beginning of an exciting (and often overwhelming) journey.
In Germany, there’s a clear roadmap of medical, legal, and administrative steps to follow early on.
This section will walk you through the essentials, from your first doctor’s visit to workplace protections.
Toward the end of the article, we’ll also provide resources for those exploring options beyond parenthood, such as abortion or adoption.
Your first steps should prioritize confirming the pregnancy and activating healthcare coverage.
Here’s a step-by-step checklist:
The Mutterpass is a central tool in Germany’s maternity care system. It is a pregnancy medical passport that documents your health and the baby’s development throughout the pregnancy.
It’stypically issued at your first OB-GYN visit, after the pregnancy is confirmed by ultrasound.
It contains;
This information serves as an up-to-date record for any healthcare provider. In emergencies or hospital visits, the Mutterpass ensures consistent and informed care.
It is also helpful in future pregnancies to identify recurring patterns or complications.
Adding your Mutterpass to your everyday carry is a good idea. Most doctors and hospitals request it during check-ups or emergencies.
Midwives play a key role in Germany’s maternity care. They can help with:
There are two main types of midwives you may encounter during your pregnancy:
However, there’s a significant shortage of midwives, particularly in urban areas. That means you should ideally find and book a midwife between weeks 8 and 12 of pregnancy, or even earlier, depending on where you live.
Here are some of our favorite resources for finding a midwife you can trust:
In Germany, expectant parents can choose from several birth settings, depending on their medical needs, personal preferences, and access to facilities.
Whether you prioritize access to emergency care, a homelike environment, or continuity with a trusted midwife, understanding your options helps you prepare with confidence.
Germany offers three main birth settings:
Setting | Pros | Cons | Percentage of births |
---|---|---|---|
Hospital (Krankenhaus) | 24/7 access to obstetricians, anesthesiologists, and neonatal careComplete pain relief options, including epidural anesthesiaIdeal for high-risk pregnancies or first-time births | May feel clinical or impersonalMedical interventions like induction or continuous monitoring are more common | 98% of all births |
Birthing center (Geburtshaus) | Calm, home-like atmosphereFocus on natural birth and continuity of care.Midwife-led, with a strong emphasis on personal autonomy | No epidural or surgical optionsEmergency transfers to a hospital can delay critical care | 1.5% of all births |
Home birth (Hausgeburt) | Familiar environment, minimal disruptionsPersonalized, one-on-one care | No access to medical pain reliefEmergency response times depend on location and logistics | 0.5% of all births |
Note: Not all hospitals have a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). If you have a high-risk pregnancy or anticipate complications, it’s important to confirm in advance whether your chosen hospital offers specialized neonatal services.
Regardless of where you plan to give birth, it’s highly recommended to also register with a hospital in case complications require a transfer. Most hospitals in Germany require pre-registration between weeks 30 and 34, though some may require it earlier.
The Wochenbett, or postnatal period, spans the first 6–8 weeks after birth and is seen as a time for healing and adjustment.
You’ll benefit from midwife visits, up to 20 home visits in the first 10 days, and 16 additional visits until your baby is 12 weeks old.
Around 6 weeks after delivery, your obstetrician-gynecologist typically performs a postpartum exam..
Most larger hospitals will have an office where you can register the birth directly and receive the birth certificate right away. If the place you are giving birth does not have such an office, all births must be registered with the Standesamt (civil registry office) within a week of delivery.
Required documents include:
Once you’ve done this, you’ll receive a birth certificate (usually multiple copies). You’ll need it to apply for a Child ID or passport, health insurance, and parental allowance (elterngeld).
Germany follows a national vaccination plan set by STIKO (Standing Committee on Vaccination). Your pediatrician (Kinderarzt) administers vaccines and monitors early development.
Pediatric appointments also include regular U-examinations (U1–U9) and a standardized schedule of preventive child health check-ups.
Learn more about pediatric care in Germany.
German law offers strong workplace protections for pregnant employees under the Maternity Protection Act (Mutterschutzgesetz). These include:
Your doctor can issue work restriction notes if your job is not pregnancy-safe. Employers are obligated to find alternatives or put you on paid leave.
Maternity leave (Mutterschutz) begins 6 weeks before the expected due date and ends 8 weeks after birth.
It can be extended to 12 weeks in cases of premature, multiple births, or births involving disabilities.
You’ll receive 100% of your salary, funded by your employer, and health insurance.
Germany does not offer separate “paternity leave.” Instead, partners share the available parental leave with their significant other.
Talking of which…
Parental leave lasts up to 3 years of unpaid leave per parent, per child. It can be taken all at once or in parts.
For example, 12 months after birth, then 12 months before the child turns 3. With your employer’s consent, up to 24 months can be deferred between the child’s 3rd and 8th birthday.
You must notify your employer at least 7 weeks before starting parental leave. Make sure your application clearly states how long you plan to take it.
It’s relatively common to see parents distribute their time off in any of the following ways (though it’s not limited to the below):
If both parents take leave at different times, it ensures there is always someone for your child while maintaining a decent income.
Indeed, while parental leave is unpaid, you can apply for a parental allowance (Elterngeld).
Generally, no. Employers must approve parental leave, provided proper notice is given (7 weeks). Worker protection laws apply throughout the leave period.
In almost all cases, no. You cannot be dismissed during pregnancy or parental leave in Germany.
§17 Mutterschutzgesetz (MuSchG) Prohibits dismissal from the moment pregnancy is announced until four months after birth.
At the same time, §18 of the Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act (BEEG) extends this protection through the duration of parental leave.
Dismissals are only allowed with prior approval from a state labor protection authority, and these are rarely granted.
If you feel your rights are at risk, contact:
While the risks are low thanks to strong regulations and safeguards, you could consider legal insurance to defend yourself if anything goes south.
Parental allowance, or “Elterngeld,” replaces part of your income while caring for a newborn.
Before we explain how it works, you should know parental allowances are subject to eligibility, and the rules are becoming stricter by the year. Starting April 2025, your household will be ineligible if its total taxable income exceeds €175,000 in the year before the child’s birth.
You can receive Elterngeld for up to 12 months. If both parents share the leave and each takes at least 2 months, the family receives 2 bonus months, for a total of 14 months.
The amount is based on your net income before the birth. Depending on your income level, it varies between 65% and 100%.
It’s usually capped at €1,800/month, and has a minimum payment of €300/month, even for low-income individuals.
Try to apply for parental allowance within the first 3 months after birth. Payments can be backdated, but only for this period.
All legal residents with children can receive benefits from the state (called “Kindergeld”).
It’s a monthly payment of €255 per child (as of 2025). It’s paid until the child turns 18 (or up to 25 if they remain in the education system).
Childcare allowance was discontinued nationally in 2015.
Yet, some states, like Bavaria and Saxony, still offer regional equivalents for families who do not use public childcare:
Germany offers a strong legal framework and financial support for families, with clear protections during pregnancy and parental leave, generous childcare benefits, and flexible parental arrangements. These policies are designed to help families thrive, whether you’re planning to return to work soon, extend your time at home, or navigate your first year with a child.
But not every pregnancy continues to birth and for some, different decisions must be made. That’s why it’s also important to understand your options around abortion, adoption and pregnancy termination in Germany.
Learn more about surrogates and adoption in Germany.
Abortion in Germany is legal under specific conditions, primarily within the first trimester. The process is structured to ensure informed decision-making while respecting personal autonomy.
Mandatory Counseling (Schwangerschaftskonfliktberatung): You must attend a session at a certified center (like Pro Familia). The counseling is nonjudgmental and confidential.
After counseling, you’ll receive a counseling certificate (Beratungsschein). It’s required to proceed.
After counseling, you must wait at least 3 full days before the procedure can occur.
You can then proceed with the procedure. It is performed by licensed OB-GYNs or clinics approved for pregnancy terminations. They are available as:
Abortion on request is legal up to 12 weeks post-conception (approximately 14 weeks after your last period). After this, abortion is only permitted under medical necessity, such as danger to the pregnant person’s physical or mental health, or in cases of severe fetal anomalies.
Learn more about abortion in Germany.
It depends on why the abortion is performed.
You must pay the medical cost (typically €300–€600) for personal reasons. However, public insurance covers pre-exams, counseling, and aftercare.
Statutory health insurance covers the entire procedure for medical reasons (e.g., health risks or severe fetal diagnosis).
If you can’t afford the cost, you may qualify for financial assistance through state-funded abortion cost coverage, available at your local Sozialamt (social services office). You’ll need to present proof of income and the counseling certificate.
In Germany, emergency contraception is available without a prescription. There are two main types:
It’s sold in most pharmacies (Apotheken). Prices range from €15 to €35, and it’s Available to anyone 12 years and older without a prescription
Note that some university health centers and sexual health clinics offer the pill free of charge to minors or low-income individuals.
Germany provides options for continuing a pregnancy without long-term parental commitment, called a “confidential birth” (Vertrauliche Geburt)
It allows women to give birth anonymously in a hospital while protecting their identity from the child and public records. Medical staff will store personal data securely for 16 years, allowing the child to request access later.
It’s available nationwide and supported by a hotline reachable 24/7: 0800 40 40 020.
If you’re unsure where to start, certified counseling centers like Pro Familia can help you explore your options and next steps.
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