Pregnancy in Saxony
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Pregnancy is a special time - especially in a new country. In Saxony, you will find good medical care and a wide range of support services for parents-to-be. Here you will find important information about medical care, maternity protection, parental leave and advice services.
If a doctor confirms that you are pregnant, you will receive a maternity pass. You will need this for further examinations, for the birth and in an emergency.
In Germany, examinations during pregnancy are free of charge. They check how the baby and mother are doing. The costs for these examinations are covered by the health insurance fund or the social welfare office. You are also entitled to medical assistance during the birth and support from a midwife.
Employers must give pregnant women time off for check-ups - they can go to the doctor during working hours.
Further information can be found in the brochure from the Saxon State Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Social Cohesion "I'm expecting a child" in various languages
If you are expecting a child and have questions, you can contact a pregnancy advice center in Saxony. There you can get help free of charge and anonymously - for example on the topics of pregnancy, contraception or family planning. You will also find out what financial help is available and where you can find further support. You can go to the advice center alone or bring someone with you - for example your partner or a trusted person. You can find the pregnancy advice centers in your area on the overview map.
In Germany, pregnant women are specially protected in the workplace. This is regulated by the Maternity Protection Act. It applies to all women with an employment contract - including part-time, mini-jobs, apprenticeships or working from home. The only important thing is that the workplace is in Germany. The law protects the health of mother and child. Pregnant women are not allowed to do certain jobs and cannot be dismissed. During maternity protection - i.e. shortly before and after the birth - women are not allowed to work. During this time, they receive maternity pay from the health insurance fund. The law does not apply to the self-employed or housewives.
You can find more information on the website of the Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) or from your health insurance provider.
If you have a long-term residence permit and work in Germany, you can receive child benefit for your children to help pay for their upkeep, care and education. For EU citizens, it is sufficient if they live or work in Germany. Child benefit is also available after the 18th birthday - for example, if your child is looking for work, is doing an apprenticeship or is completing a voluntary year. This continues until the age of 25. If your income is not sufficient to support your children, you can also receive child supplement.
You can apply for child benefit at the family benefits office of the Federal Employment Agency at your place of residence in Saxony.
Further information can be found on the family portal of the Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.
Parental allowance is a financial benefit for parents of babies and small children. It helps young parents who work less or not at all after the birth and therefore have less income. Parents who did not work before the birth can also receive parental allowance - they then receive a minimum rate.
Parental allowance is paid for up to 14 months. The mother and father can divide these months up as they wish. In Saxony, you can apply for parental allowance online: Online application for parental allowance. If you register there, you will also receive specific help and explanations. After parental allowance, you can apply for childcare allowance for up to 22 months. It is intended for parents who look after their young child at home themselves. Important: Parental allowance and childcare allowance can only be claimed one after the other, not at the same time.
Parents can stay at home for a while to look after and bring up their child. This is called parental leave. Each parent can take parental leave until the child's third birthday. You do not have to work during parental leave. However, you keep your job. After parental leave, you can return to your old working hours. Both parents can also take parental leave at the same time - together for up to three years.
With your employer's permission, you can postpone up to 12 months of parental leave to a later date - for example to when your child starts school (between their 3rd and 8th birthday).
Important: If you want to take parental leave, you must inform your employer in writing at least 7 weeks in advance.
