Pregnant while studying, you can invoke the Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG), as far as the university prescribes the place, time and sequence of a compulsory event or you complete a mandatory internship. On money, parental allowance (Elterngeld) from 300 euros per month and child benefit of 259 euros per child are the main items. Depending on your situation, maternity benefit (Mutterschaftsgeld), the BAföG childcare supplement and housing benefit (Wohngeld) can also apply.
What matters most in brief
- The Maternity Protection Act applies to students only in a limited way, namely for compulsory events and prescribed internships.
- Report your pregnancy early to the student counselling service and the examinations office. The protective rights apply only once the university knows about it.
- Parental allowance is at least 300 euros per month, even without income. Child benefit is 259 euros per child and month.
- BAföG pays a childcare supplement of 160 euros for each child under 14 in the household.
- Maternity benefit is available if you work alongside your studies.
Pregnant while studying: these benefits are available
The table shows who is entitled and where you apply. Amounts and exceptions are described in the sections below.
| Benefit | Who is entitled | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity protection at the university | Female students, if the university prescribes the place, time and sequence of an event or requires an internship | Notification to the student counselling service and the examinations office |
| Maternity benefit | Women in employment, for example a mini-job alongside studies, without pay during the protection periods | Health insurance fund, or the Federal Office for Social Security (BVA) if you have family or private insurance |
| Parental allowance | Parents who are not fully employed (on monthly average at most 32 hours per week) | Parental allowance office, after the birth |
| Child benefit | For your child, and your parents can continue to receive it for you as long as you meet the requirements | Family benefits office (Familienkasse) |
| BAföG childcare supplement | Students entitled to funding, child under 14 in their own household | BAföG office at the student services organisation |
| Leave semester | Leave due to pregnancy or childcare, depending on the university up to six semesters per child | University; ask the BAföG office and the family benefits office beforehand |
A guide on parental allowance, supplements and insurance with a child is Studying with a child: money, supplements and insurance (in German).
What rights do you have as a pregnant student?
The Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG) also applies to female students, but only as far as the university prescribes the place, time and sequence of an event or you complete a prescribed internship. If a prescribed internship falls within the pregnancy, maternity protection applies there too. The obligation and remuneration of an internship during studies (in German) are explained in a separate guide.
| Period | Length of protection period |
|---|---|
| Before the birth | 6 weeks |
| After the birth | 8 weeks |
| After a premature birth or multiple birth | 12 weeks |
During the protection periods, a general ban on participation and examinations applies. You may take part voluntarily if you wish. There is no statutory duty to notify, but the protective rights apply only if the university knows about your pregnancy. Ask early which rules your examination regulations provide for pregnant students.
Leave semester during pregnancy: how long can you take leave?
Depending on the university, leave due to pregnancy or childcare can last up to six semesters per child, and at most until the child’s third birthday. Your university sets the exact rules. Semesters on leave do not count as subject semesters.
| Benefit | During the leave semester |
|---|---|
| BAföG | Ask the BAföG office in advance whether and for how long it continues to be paid. |
| Housing benefit (Wohngeld) | The housing benefit office decides on a case-by-case basis. Ask there before taking leave. |
| Child benefit for you | Depends on the reason for leave. Inform the family benefits office immediately. |
| Student health insurance | The compulsory insurance generally also applies to students on leave. |
Contributions and insurance cover during this time are explained in the guide Health insurance during a leave semester (in German).
Pregnant while studying: which money is available to you?
Maternity benefit (with a job), parental allowance, child benefit, the BAföG childcare supplement and, where applicable, housing benefit can be checked side by side. The amounts at a glance:
| Benefit | Amount | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity benefit | Up to 13 euros per day or up to 210 euros in total (depending on insurance) | Job alongside studies, no pay during the protection periods |
| Parental allowance | At least 300 euros per month, at most 1,800 euros | Not fully employed, on monthly average at most 32 hours per week |
| Child benefit for your child | 259 euros per child and month | Application to the family benefits office |
| BAföG childcare supplement | 160 euros per child and month | Child under 14 in the same household |
Maternity benefit for students: who receives it?
You receive maternity benefit if you are employed alongside your studies, for example in a mini-job. The amount depends on how you are insured. The condition is that you receive no pay during the protection periods.
| Your situation | Maternity benefit |
|---|---|
| Compulsorily insured in statutory insurance yourself (for example student health insurance) and mini-job | Up to 13 euros per day from your health insurance fund |
| Family-insured or privately insured and employed | Up to 210 euros in total from the Federal Office for Social Security |
Worked example: with 98 protection days (14 weeks), 13 euros per day comes to at most 1,274 euros. If you do not work alongside your studies, ask your health insurance fund whether maternity benefits are possible. An overview is offered by the Familienportal (German family portal).
Parental allowance: how much is there without income?
Parental allowance is at least 300 euros per month, even if you had no income before the birth. If you earned before, you generally receive 67 percent of your net income, at most 1,800 euros. The condition is that you are not fully employed: on monthly average, at most 32 working hours per week are allowed.
You apply after the birth at the parental allowance office for your child’s place of residence. The steps are explained by the Familienportal on applying for parental allowance (German). How parental allowance interacts with the BAföG supplement, housing benefit and insurance is shown in Studying with a child (in German).
Child benefit for your baby and for you
The family benefits office pays 259 euros per month for your child. Your parents can also continue to receive child benefit for you, as long as the requirements are met. Age, part-time work and duration of entitlement are explained in the guide Child benefit during studies (in German). You can check the requirements with the child benefit eligibility check (in German).
Child-rearing periods: what does the baby mean for your pension?
For births from 1 January 1992 onwards, the first 36 calendar months after the month of birth count as child-rearing periods in the pension. The German Pension Insurance provides information for students on a dedicated page.
BAföG during pregnancy: what changes?
BAföG continues to be paid as long as your studies are eligible for funding. The maximum rate is 992 euros per month for students who do not live with their parents. In addition come 160 euros of childcare supplement for each child under 14 who lives with you in the household. The supplement is paid to only one parent for the same period.
If you exceed the maximum funding period as a result of pregnancy or raising a child, BAföG can be paid for a reasonable period beyond it (§ 15 (3) BAföG). Whether this applies in your case is decided by the BAföG office at the student services organisation. Raise it before you apply for leave. You submit the application online via BAföG Digital.
Housing benefit and advice: what helps when money runs short?
Housing benefit is tightly limited for students. There is an entitlement if at least one member of the household is not eligible for BAföG, for example your child. The housing benefit office examines each case. How to apply is explained in the separate guide on housing benefit for students (in German).
Advice is available from pregnancy counselling services, from the social counselling of the student services organisations and, at many universities, from the family office.
Health insurance during pregnancy: what applies to students?
During pregnancy, as a student you are either in student health insurance, family-insured through your parents or spouse, or privately insured. The route determines what changes with the baby.
Student health insurance: what does it cost with a child?
The basic contribution is 87.38 euros per month, calculated on an assessment base of 855 euros. Your fund’s additional contribution and long-term care insurance come on top. Childless students from 23 pay 35.91 euros for long-term care insurance, with a child it is 30.78 euros.
Worked example with the average additional contribution of 2.9 percent (calculated): basic 87.38 euros, additional contribution 24.80 euros, long-term care 35.91 euros, together 148.09 euros per month without a child. With a child, the long-term care contribution falls to 30.78 euros, which makes 142.96 euros. Your fund’s actual additional contribution may differ.
Family insurance: which income limit applies?
If you are family-insured through your parents or spouse, your total income must not exceed 565 euros per month. For exclusively marginal employment the limit is 603 euros. BAföG, child benefit, parental allowance and maintenance do not count as income.
Your baby can be family-insured through your student health insurance, because you are a member there (§ 10 SGB V). Clarify with your fund before the birth which route suits you.
Private health insurance: what applies during pregnancy?
If you were exempted from compulsory insurance at the start of your studies, you have no entitlement to family insurance for the duration of the exemption. Benefits during pregnancy depend on your tariff. What to consider with private insurance when wanting a child and during pregnancy is described in Desire for children and private insurance (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Do I receive maternity benefit if I only study?
As a rule, no. Maternity benefit is aimed at women in employment, for example in a mini-job alongside studies. If you only study, clarify with your health insurance fund whether maternity benefits are possible.
As a student, am I entitled to parental allowance?
Yes, if you are not fully employed, that is, on monthly average you work at most 32 hours per week. If you had no employment income, you receive the minimum amount of 300 euros per month.
Do I have to notify the university of my pregnancy?
No, there is no statutory duty to notify. Early notification is still worthwhile, because the protective rights apply only if the university is informed. Contacts are the student counselling service and the examinations office.
Will I receive BAföG during a leave semester?
The BAföG office decides this on a case-by-case basis. Clarify it before you apply for leave, so that there is no gap.
So gehst du jetzt vor
- Inform the student counselling service and the examinations office about your pregnancy, and ask about the rules in your examination regulations.
- Clarify with your health insurance fund whether you receive maternity benefit and how your baby is insured.
- Before taking leave, speak with the BAföG office and the family benefits office about the consequences for BAföG and child benefit.
- After the birth, apply for child benefit, parental allowance at the parental allowance office and, where applicable, the BAföG childcare supplement.
- Get advice from the student services organisation, the family office of the university or a pregnancy counselling service.
Information, not individual advice.
Editorial team: Academycon · Last updated: October 2026
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- Housing benefit for students: who is entitled and how to apply (in German)
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- Maternity protection during studies: examinations, deadlines and compensation for disadvantages (in German)
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