Wochengeld and finances around childbirth in Austria (2026)

The months before childbirth involve important employment and financial tasks alongside medical appointments. This guide explains when and how to notify your employer, where to apply for Wochengeld, which documents you need and why Eltern-Kind-Pass examinations can affect the amount of Kinderbetreuungsgeld you receive.

Key points

• Notify your employer about the pregnancy and expected delivery date immediately after learning about them.
• Apply for Wochengeld through your own health insurance provider, in person or by post.
• During pregnancy and until the end of the four-month period after childbirth, an employee generally cannot be validly dismissed.
• The first Eltern-Kind-Pass examination should generally be completed by the end of the 16th week of pregnancy.
• Missed or late examinations can reduce Kinderbetreuungsgeld.

When and how must you notify your employer?

An employee must notify the employer about the pregnancy and expected delivery date immediately after becoming aware of them. If the employer requests it, you must also provide a medical certificate confirming the pregnancy and expected delivery date.

There are also further notification duties:

• Within the 4 weeks before the start of the protection period (Schutzfrist), you should remind the employer that the protection period is approaching. It generally begins 8 weeks before childbirth.
• If the pregnancy ends prematurely, you must notify the employer.
• If a check-up changes the expected delivery date, it is recommended that you notify the employer of the change.

What workplace protection applies?

During pregnancy and until the end of the four-month period after childbirth, an employee cannot generally be validly dismissed (Kündigungsschutz).

During the same period, immediate dismissal (Entlassung) generally requires the approval of the court responsible for employment and social matters (Arbeits- und Sozialgericht). In the event of a miscarriage, this protection lasts until the end of the four weeks following the miscarriage.

Where and how do you apply for Wochengeld?

Apply for Wochengeld to the health insurance provider (Krankenversicherungsträger) with which you are insured. You can submit the documents in person or send them by post.

Before sending the original Eltern-Kind-Pass forms to the health insurance provider, it is advisable to make copies.

Documents required for a Wochengeld application

The required documents depend on whether you apply before or after childbirth and on the basis of your entitlement.

• If you are employed: employment and pay confirmation for Wochengeld (Arbeits- und Entgeltbestätigung für das Wochengeld).
• If you receive Arbeitslosengeld, Notstandshilfe or Kinderbetreuungsgeld before the start of the 8-week protection period: notification of entitlement to the benefit (Mitteilung über den Leistungsanspruch), issued by the body paying the benefit.
• In every case: a medical certificate stating the expected delivery date. If the protection period starts early, you also need an exemption certificate (Freistellungszeugnis).

If you apply for Wochengeld only after childbirth, you also need:

• the child's birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde),
• a hospital certificate in the event of premature birth, multiple birth or caesarean section,
• confirmation of the hospital stay (Aufenthaltsbestätigung).

Why are Eltern-Kind-Pass examinations important?

You receive the Eltern-Kind-Pass when a medical examination confirms the pregnancy. As a general rule, the first examination must be completed by the end of the 16th week of pregnancy. It can take place with a gynaecologist, general practitioner, at an outpatient clinic (Ambulatorium), a pregnancy counselling centre or the outpatient department of a maternity ward.

To receive the full amount of Kinderbetreuungsgeld, the following examinations must be completed on time and documented:

• During pregnancy: 5 examinations
• During the child's first 14 months: 5 examinations

If one or more examinations are missed, completed late or not documented with the health insurance provider, Kinderbetreuungsgeld is reduced. Depending on the selected variant, the reduction begins from the child's 25th, 17th, 13th or 10th month. The prescribed dates can only be changed under certain conditions.

Pregnancy ultrasound examinations, midwife counselling, hip ultrasound and the child's sixth to ninth examinations are not requirements for receiving the full benefit. More information is available in this guide: Kinderbetreuungsgeld in Austria 2026: amounts, duration and income limit.

Financial tasks after childbirth

After the birth, you will need to deal with several matters:

• notifying your employer about unpaid parental leave (Karenz) and later notifying any extension,
• family allowance (Familienbeihilfe),
• applying for Kinderbetreuungsgeld,
• filing your annual tax assessment (Arbeitnehmerveranlagung), including family-related allowances and deductions,
• completing the child's Eltern-Kind-Pass examinations.

More information about family allowance is available here: Family allowance (Familienbeihilfe) in Austria 2026: amounts, conditions and application.

Frequently asked questions

Where do you submit a Wochengeld application?

Submit it to the health insurance provider with which you are insured. You can submit the documents in person or by post.

Can you apply for Wochengeld after childbirth?

Yes. In that case, you also need the child's birth certificate, confirmation of the hospital stay and, in the event of premature birth, multiple birth or caesarean section, a hospital certificate.

When does the protection period generally begin?

It generally begins 8 weeks before childbirth. You should remind your employer about it within the 4 weeks before it starts.

Can you receive Wochengeld while receiving unemployment benefits?

If you receive Arbeitslosengeld or Notstandshilfe, the notification of entitlement issued by the body paying the benefit is required instead of the employer's employment and pay confirmation.

Practical steps

1. Notify your employer about the pregnancy and expected delivery date as soon as you become aware of them.
2. Ask your employer for the Arbeits- und Entgeltbestätigung für das Wochengeld if you are employed.
3. Contact your Krankenversicherungsträger and submit the Wochengeld application in person or by post.
4. Make copies of the original Eltern-Kind-Pass documents before sending them.
5. Arrange the first Eltern-Kind-Pass examination by the end of the 16th week of pregnancy and keep evidence of every required examination.
6. After childbirth, collect the Geburtsurkunde, Aufenthaltsbestätigung and any required hospital certificate if you have not yet applied for Wochengeld.
7. Notify your employer about Karenz and deal with Familienbeihilfe, Kinderbetreuungsgeld and Arbeitnehmerveranlagung.

This article is based on information available online and does not constitute advice. Use is at your own responsibility. For specialist guidance, contact a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional, employment-law or employment-services professional, or another relevant specialist.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at