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Germany expands maternity protection to mid-pregnancy miscarriages

The change fills a long-standing gap by granting two to eight weeks of paid leave for women with miscarriages after 13 weeks.

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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.