Elterngeld, Elternzeit,
Kitavoucher, Kindergeld...

Your most important document. Your Frauenärztin (OB-GYN) gives you this at your first prenatal visit. Keep it with you always — you'll need it at every appointment and at the hospital.

You and your partner must be registered at your Berlin address at the Bürgeramt. This is required for almost every other application.

Prenatal care and birth are fully covered — but you must be enrolled. If you're not yet insured, contact a public Krankenkasse (TK, AOK, Barmer) right away. Your baby can be added to your policy for free after birth.

Make sure your permit is valid and covers your stay through and after the birth. Non-EU residents should check expiry dates now. The birth of a child in Germany can affect your status.

You are legally protected from the moment your employer knows you are pregnant. You cannot be dismissed. Tell them in writing and keep a copy.

You stop working 6 weeks before your due date and for 8 weeks after. During this time you receive Mutterschaftsgeld, paid by your Krankenkasse and topped up by your employer.

Elterngeld is a monthly benefit paid after birth — usually 65–67% of your previous net income for up to 14 months. You can pre-register before the birth to avoid delays. Both parents can claim separately.

Register the birth at the Standesamt within 7 days. The hospital usually provides a form. Bring both passports, your Meldebescheinigung, and your marriage certificate (apostilled if needed).

After you have the Geburtsurkunde, register the baby at your local Bürgeramt. The child will need their own Meldebescheinigung.

Notify your Krankenkasse within 8 weeks of birth. Family co-insurance (Familienversicherung) is free for children as long as a parent is insured.

Monthly child benefit — currently €255/month per child. Apply at the Familienkasse (part of the employment agency). You can apply retroactively for up to 6 months, but don't wait too long.

Submit the full application after the birth. You'll need the Geburtsurkunde, income documents, and the Mutterpass. You have up to 3 months after birth before losing retroactive payments.

Germany has a series of mandatory child health checks (U-Untersuchungen). The U1 happens right after birth. The U2 is at 3–10 days. These are tracked in the Kinder-Untersuchungsheft — keep it safely.

Non-EU babies born in Germany do not automatically get a residence permit. You must apply at the Ausländerbehörde within a few weeks. Bring the Geburtsurkunde and your own permits.

Contact your country's consulate in Germany to register the birth abroad and get your child a passport. This is required for international travel and for the German residence permit application.

For the Standesamt and some benefit applications, your marriage certificate may need to be officially translated into German. If yours is from a non-EU country, also check if an Apostille is required.