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Pregnancy, Maternity Leave, and Nursing as a Student

Information for Students

As of January 1, 2018, the German Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG) now also applies to students at Freie Universität Berlin. The law aims to prevent exposing (expecting) parents and their children to health risks such as those that may arise from hazardous materials, pathogens, radiation, or excessive physical strain. 

Legal basis: German Act on the Protection of Mothers at Work, in Training, and at University (Gesetz zum Schutz von Müttern bei der Arbeit, in der Ausbildung und im Studium) 

Reporting a Pregnancy or Nursing Period

If you are pregnant or nursing, it is recommended that you contact the Student Records and Registration Office. This is particularly important if you wish to receive preferential treatment when enrolling for classes or if you wish to apply for maternity leave.

How to report a pregnancy/nursing period:

  1. Log in to the self-service portal.
  2. Select “Create request” and then select “Notification of Pregnancy/Nursing“ from the drop-down menu.
  3. Upload documentation confirming your estimated due date (e.g., excerpt from your Mutterpass [pregnancy record booklet]) or the recent birth of your child (e.g., birth certificate).

Maternity Protection Period and Participating in Courses

  • Pregnant people are not permitted to take part in courses or examinations six weeks before giving birth and in the first eight weeks after giving birth (this is extended to twelve weeks in the case of premature or multiple births) – unless they expressly waive this right in writing using the form. The student can retract this decision at any time.
  • During pregnancy and, where applicable, when nursing, students are not permitted to participate in courses or examinations after 8:00 p.m. or on Sundays or holidays. Exceptions can be made if this has been requested and approved in writing. Approval can be rescinded at any time.
  • Please contact the contact persons responsible for maternity leave and maternity protections at the relevant department for your core subject if you have any questions

Process and Points of Contact

  1. Report the pregnancy or nursing period via the self-service portal and upload relevant documentation.
  2. The student’s individual study plan is reviewed by the contact person responsible for maternity leave and maternity protections in the student’s core subject. If necessary, individual measures are determined to allow the student to continue their studies.
    If it is necessary to request compensation for disadvantages, the examination board must be notified in good time.
  3. The Individual Review for Maternity Protections form is completed and submitted to the relevant department. If the student has reported the pregnancy/nursing period in the self-service portal, they will receive an automated email reminding them to take this step.
  4. The department contacts Central Services and the LAGetSi (Landesamt für Arbeitsschutz, Gesundheitsschutz und technische Sicherheit Berlin), the Berlin state authority responsible for occupational health and safety, regarding the risk assessment and potential protective measures.
  5. Report the actual delivery date and, where applicable, report the beginning of the nursing period to the contact person responsible for maternity leave and maternity protections in the student’s core subject or Central Services.
  6. Reevaluate the student’s individual study plan in the event that the maternity protection period or the nursing period should be extended.

Further Information and Resources

If you have any further questions, please contact the Student Records and Registration Office and the person responsible for maternity leave and maternity protections in your department.