Overview

• The law, approved by the Bundestag in January and the Bundesrat in February, came into force on June 1, 2025.
• Under the new rules, losses at 13–16 weeks entitle women to two weeks of leave, at 17–19 weeks to six weeks, and at 20 weeks or later to eight weeks.
• Coverage extends to employees, civil servants, soldiers and self-employed women with statutory health insurance, while privately insured self-employed women remain excluded.
• Women can opt to take the full leave period or return to work sooner if they prefer.
• Authorities estimate the reform will benefit about 6,000 women annually who suffer miscarriages between the 13th and 24th weeks of pregnancy.