Overview

• Self-employed parents are currently excluded from the Mutterschutzgesetz, leaving no statutory paid protection around birth beyond patchwork insurance options.
• The family ministry says it is working on a proposal for parliament early next year, following a coalition pledge to create Mutterschutz for the self-employed.
• A solidarity levy is under review as a financing model, with institute estimates suggesting roughly €5 to €5.30 per month per person or firm could cover costs.
• Activists led by Johanna Röh staged a high‑visibility Reichstag installation and presented a policy paper, urging a swift, practical design that reflects varied professions.
• Key technical choices remain open, including the income assessment period and interaction with private insurance, with campaigners citing about 27,000 affected births annually and an average income loss of €8,481.48.