Mutterschutz Calculator (Maternity Protection Dates)
Work out your German Mutterschutz protection period: when it starts before the due date, your last working day, and when it ends after birth.
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How to use the Mutterschutz Calculator
- 01
Enter your expected due date from the medical certificate.
- 02
Optionally add the actual birth date and choose 8 or 12 weeks after birth.
- 03
See when the protection period starts, your last working day, and when it ends.
How the calculator works
Enter your expected due date and the tool applies the statutory protection periods: 6 weeks before the due date and 8 weeks after the birth, or 12 weeks in the extended cases. Add the actual birth date to adjust the end date for an early or late delivery.
Everything runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded.
The 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after
The period before birth is measured from the expected due date on your medical certificate. The period after birth is measured from the actual birth. Together they normally cover 14 weeks, during which Mutterschaftsgeld replaces your pay.
Estimate, not legal advice
These dates follow the Mutterschutzgesetz, but your employer and health insurer set the binding dates from your certificate. Treat the result as a guide, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Mutterschutz period start?
It starts 6 weeks before your expected due date. In that time your employer may not employ you unless you expressly agree to keep working, and you can withdraw that agreement at any time (Paragraph 3 MuSchG).
How long is Mutterschutz after birth?
Normally 8 weeks after the birth. It extends to 12 weeks for a premature birth, a multiple birth, or when a disability is diagnosed in the child within 8 weeks (in that last case only on request).
What happens if my baby is born early or late?
If the birth is earlier than the due date, the days you lose before birth are added to the period after birth, so the total stays 14 weeks (or 18). If the birth is later, the period before birth simply runs until the birth, and the 8 or 12 weeks after still apply, so the total is longer.
Is this the same as parental leave (Elternzeit)?
No. Mutterschutz is the protected period around birth with Mutterschaftsgeld. Elternzeit and Elterngeld come afterwards and are separate. This tool only calculates the Mutterschutz dates.
This tool is for general information only and is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates that depend on your situation and current rules, so check the official source or a qualified professional before you act.