Pregnant in Germany in 2025? Here’s Everything You Need to Know from Test to Birth

Below is a step-by-step roadmap for expectant mothers (and partners) in Germany, running from the first positive test to the first weeks with your newborn. It runs about 1 900 words and weaves in official English-language resources you can easily search for (agency or portal names are in bold so you know exactly where to look). Citations point to the sources used.

1. Congratulations – confirm the pregnancy and pick your care team

Most women start with an over-the-counter test, then book an appointment with a Frauenärztin/Frauenarzt (OB-GYN). At that first visit (usually 8-12 weeks), the doctor:

• performs an ultrasound to confirm the heartbeat;

• issues the iconic Mutterpass – Germany’s pregnancy medical record. Since late 2024 the booklet is also available in digital form inside the national e-patient record (ePA), so you can carry it on your phone (informedhealth.org);

• explains the standard prenatal schedule and orders initial blood work (gesund.bund.de).

Tip: always keep your Mutterpass (paper or app) with you; emergency staff will look for it first. For an English walkthrough of every page, search “Mutterpass English G-BA PDF” (g-ba.de).

2. Understand insurance and what’s covered

Whether you are in statutory (GKV) or private (PKV) insurance, core maternity care is fully covered:

• one check-up every four weeks until 32 weeks, then every two weeks;

• three routine ultrasounds (≈ 10, 20 and 30 weeks);

• standard lab tests plus optional screenings (e.g. NIPT) at your own cost if not medically indicated (feather-insurance.com, gesund.bund.de).

If you have private insurance, ask for a written list of reimbursable extras (for example, elective 4-D scans). Public insurance also covers childbirth classes, a midwife during labour, and extensive postpartum home visits (see section 5) (iamexpat.de).

3. Line up your midwife (Hebamme) early

Germany is proud of its midwifery tradition, but there is a shortage in urban areas – many women book the moment the heartbeat is confirmed.

• Use the ammely.de midwife search tool (built by the German Midwives’ Association and Techniker Krankenkasse) to see who still has capacity (tk.de).

• Statutory insurance pays for antenatal consultations, on-call support during labour (in hospital, birth centre or at home), and up to 20 home visits in the first 10 days plus 16 more until week 12 (feather-insurance.com).

• From May 2025 new national pay scales raise freelance midwives’ hourly rate for out-of-hospital births – welcome news if you consider a birth centre or home birth (more-midwives.com).

4. Lifestyle, screenings and classes

Your doctor or midwife will:

• offer the first-trimester combined screening or NIPT (covered after age 35 or medical indication);

• advise on vaccinations (flu, pertussis, Covid-19), nutrition, and moderate exercise;

• give you a referral for the free Geburtsvorbereitungskurs (childbirth class) – partners can usually join for a small fee;

• remind you to register with a Krankenhaus (hospital) or Geburtshaus around 25–30 weeks; popular clinics in big cities fill up fast.

Many hospitals run English-language information evenings; type the hospital name plus “Kreißsaalführung English”.

5. Know your workplace rights (Mutterschutz)

Once your pregnancy is confirmed you may inform your employer at any time, but you must do so if you want the statutory protections:

• No dismissal from the moment they know until four months after birth (longer if you take Elternzeit) (kietzee.com).

• Risk assessment: the employer must adapt your workspace or reassign tasks if hazards exist (verwaltung.bund.de).

• Maternity leave: six weeks before the estimated due date (EDD) and eight weeks after birth (12 weeks after premature, multiple or C-section births) – fully paid through a mix of employer wage top-up and health-insurance Mutterschaftsgeld (simplegermany.com).

• New in 2025: women who suffer a miscarriage after week 12 now receive staggered protection periods of up to eight weeks, depending on the gestational age (leglobal.law).

Tell HR your EDD in writing and attach the doctor’s certificate (Kosten trägt der Arbeitgeber – the employer pays any fee) (bmfsfj.de).

6. Plan your finances: Elterngeld, Elternzeit and Kindergeld

Parental allowance (Elterngeld) replaces 65–100 % of your net salary (capped). From April 2025 only couples with a joint taxable income under €175 000 qualify (welt.de). You can choose:

• classic Elterngeld (up to 14 months split between parents);

• ElterngeldPlus (lower monthly rate but double the duration) – useful if you work part-time;

• partnership bonus months if both work 24–32 hours.

See the English explainer on Handbook Germany and the BMFSFJ Elterngeldrechner to simulate scenarios (handbookgermany.de).

Parents also have a legal right to Elternzeit – up to three years unpaid job protection per child. File your request seven weeks before the start date.

Kindergeld (child benefit) rises to €255 per month for every child in January 2025; apply at the Familienkasse once you have a tax identification number for the baby (arbeitsagentur.de).

7. The third trimester checklist (weeks 28-40)

1. Hospital, birth-centre or home birth registration – bring your ID, insurance card and Mutterpass. Some hospitals expect this by 32 weeks.

2. Birth plan: pain-relief options, delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin, language support.

3. Hospital bag around 35 weeks: Mutterpass, insurance card, comfy clothes, newborn outfit, snacks, phone charger.

4. Pack paperwork: marriage certificate or paternity acknowledgement (see below), and parents’ passports for the Standesamt.

5. Arrange postpartum support: midwife schedule, family visits, possibly a household help (Haushaltshilfe) if prescribed by your doctor.

8. Legal paperwork before birth – especially if not married

If you are unmarried, German law recognises only the mother automatically. The father must file a Vaterschaftsanerkennung (paternity acknowledgement) and (optionally) a joint custody declaration at the Jugendamt or Standesamt. You can do this before birth; slots in Berlin and Munich book out 4-6 months in advance (familienportal.nrw). Bring passports, birth certificates (with sworn translations if not German), and the Mutterpass. Doing it early lets the father appear on the first birth certificate.

9. Labour and delivery

Most births take place in hospital delivery suites (Kreißsaal) with a midwife-led model; a doctor steps in if complications arise. Birth centres are run entirely by midwives, while home births are legal if you find a registered midwife who offers them. During labour you present your Mutterpass and insurance card; statutory insurance covers:

• midwife care, doctor interventions, and a family room if medically necessary;

• an epidural if requested;

• a 24-hour stay after an uncomplicated vaginal birth.

10. The first week: U-check-ups and midwife home visits

Immediately after birth the baby has U1 (Apgar score). U2 (day 3-10) is usually still in hospital and includes the newborn blood spot and hearing tests (g-ba.de). U3 (week 4-5) is at your chosen paediatrician; book the appointment before leaving hospital (familienportal.nrw).

Your midwife will:

• visit daily for the first ten days, checking stitches, breastfeeding, jaundice, and baby weight;

• make up to 16 additional visits until week 12 (all covered) (feather-insurance.com).

If you need extra help (e.g., feeding problems), the midwife can bill more visits with a doctor’s note (informedhealth.org).

11. Registering the birth and getting documents

German clinics send the birth notice electronically to the local Standesamt, but you (or your partner) must file the remaining documents within seven days (some cities allow four weeks) (frankfurt.de). Bring:

• parents’ passports/IDs,

• marriage certificate or paternity acknowledgement,

• birth notice from the hospital.

You will receive multiple birth certificates: one for Kindergeld, one for insurance, one for Elterngeld.

12. Administrative marathon in the first three months

• Add baby to health insurance (same fund as main insured parent).

• Apply for Kindergeld online or by post – you have six months back-dating if paperwork drags (iamexpat.de).

• File for Elterngeld/ElterngeldPlus; many states now accept digital signatures.

• Kita planning: in big cities parents start hunting during pregnancy. In Berlin you can apply for the Kita-Gutschein voucher between nine and two months before the desired start date, so set a calendar reminder (berlin.de). A popular English cheat-sheet walks you through every form field (kietzee.com).

13. Looking ahead – child benefit, taxes and beyond

From 2025 the Kindergeld increase, the bigger child tax allowance and inflation-adjusted income tax brackets mean most families take home a little more each month (arbeitsagentur.de). Keep all letters from the Familienkasse and Finanzamt; you will need them for your next tax return.

14. Postnatal recovery and mental health

The postnatal period (Wochenbett) lasts six-eight weeks. Statutory insurance funds a postnatal exercise course (Rückbildungsgymnastik) you can start after your six-week check-up. If you feel low or anxious, tell your midwife or GP – they can refer you to free counselling services run by Pro Familia or the BZgA.

Final thoughts

Germany’s maternity system can feel bureaucratic, but once you know the milestones – Mutterpass, midwife, Mutterschutz, Elterngeld and Kita voucher – you can move through pregnancy with confidence and enjoy the famously comprehensive care. Print this guide, add your own deadlines, and tick them off one by one.

Wishing you a smooth pregnancy and a joyful birth!

But wait what happens if the birth is outside Germany and you come back after the delivery?