Maternity allowance

The maternity allowance is an income replacement, which is paid to expecting mothers during their maternity protection period (6 weeks before and 8 weeks after birth, respectively 12 weeks in case off preterm delivery or multiple birth) by the public health insurance or the federal social insurance authority as a financial support. Generally, it can be claimed by any woman in employment with a loss of income and a public health insurance.

In isolated cases, a distinction has to be made between:

• Women with a public health insurance and a claim to sickness benefits: Maximum of 13€ per day by their public health insurance and, if applicable, the difference between that and their last net income paid by their employer
• Women with a public health insurance without a claim to sickness benefits (e.g. health insurance schemes of students) with a marginal employment: Maximum of 13€ a day paid by your health insurance
• Women, who are covered by a dependant insurance with a marginal employment: One-off payment of 210€ by the federal social insurance authority
• Privately insured women or women without any health insurance in employment: One-off payment of a maximum of 210€ by the federal social insurance authority and, if applicable, the difference between 13€ per day and their average net income by your employer

The maternity allowance (except for the employer’s contribution) is deducted from your parental allowance, but it is tax-free and free from deductions for social security contributions.