Pregnancy and New Parents

Counseling centers in different languages:

No matter what questions, doubt or fears you might have, there are various counseling centers in Tübingen. These counseling offers are confidential, free of charge and anonymous upon request.

• Counseling centers for pregnant women & expectant parents in the district of Tübingen. Here you can find an overview.
• Women in distress’ support hotline. Find their flyer here.

Midwives (Hebammen)

Midwifery assistance is regulated by law and is free of charge. Health insurance companies cover most fees. It is advisable to start looking for a midwife early on, as soon as you find out about your pregnancy. 

Search for a midwife in the district of Tübingen here.

Around the time of birth, mother and child require special protection: maternity protection. Modern maternity protection combines various objectives.

Find out more in this short video clip subtitled in Englisch:

https://familienportal.de/familienportal/meta/languages/family-benefits

You can find detailed information on maternity protection in this brochure:

Guide to Maternity Protection (bmfsfj.de)

After the birth of a child, mothers and fathers have the right to take a break from work to care for their child and spend time with their family. During this time, the employer may only terminate the employment relationship in exceptional circumstances (e.g. insolvency, shutdown of the business). After parental leave, parents have the right to return and work at the same level as they did before.

If you have questions, please contact the Family bureau from Tübingen University.

More information can also be found here: Parental leave & parental benefit (make-it-in-germany.com)

Parental Allowance is a benefit for parents of babies and toddlers. It is meant to allow parents to spend time with, raise and care for their child. Parental Allowance compensates where parents’ income is lower because they are temporarily working fewer hours or stop working after the birth of their child.

Find out more in this short video clip subtitled in Englisch:

https://familienportal.de/familienportal/meta/languages/family-benefits

You can find detailed information in this brochure:

Parental Allowance (bmfsfj.de)

If you have further questions, please contact the Family office from Tübingen University.

1. Birth certificate

The birth certificate is not issued automatically; it must be requested from the registration office within one week of the birth.

In most hospitals, you can submit the completed documents directly. The registration office will let you know as soon as the certificate is issued and can be picked up. If you wish, it can also be sent to your home address.

Required documents:

• birth confirmation from the hospital or confirmation from the midwife
• valid identity card or passport of the mother and father
• married couples: marriage certificate or certified copy from the family register
• unmarried couples and single parents: parentage or birth certificates of the parents and, if applicable, acknowledgement of paternity and declaration of custody

2. Registration at the registration office

As a rule, the clinic’s registration office automatically passes on the information about the birth of your child to the residents' registration office. If you want to be sure, you should call them and ask.
Also inform your embassy and clarify how to apply for a passport for your child. They will be stateless before receiving a passport.

3. Health insurance

If you have statutory health insurance yourself:

• your child will be insured free of charge via family insurance.
• contact your health insurance company, fill out the application form for your child and send it back together with a copy of the birth certificate.
• Within a few days, the insurance company will send you your child's personal insurance card. It is a mere formality, at no extra cost to you. 

If you have private health insurance:

• It is best to clarify the exact conditions with your insurance company before the birth.
• usually no family insurance possible.
• apply for separate contract for your child.

Pediatrician: 

Unless already done, make sure to find a pediatrician right in advance of the first preventive medical checkup.

You will need your child’s personal insurance card for all medical checkups and appointments.

4. Child benefit (Kindergeld)

Please read the information under Government support – Child benefit.
The entitlement to child benefit expires six months after the birth. Therefore, do not wait too long with your application.

5. Parental allowance (Elterngeld)

Please read the information above under Parental allowance or contact the Family office from Tübingen University.

You can apply for parental allowance within the first three months after the birth of your child. You can also obtain more information and the application from Tübingen City website.

6. Acknowledgment of paternity

If you are not married, the father can already acknowledge his paternity at the Youth Welfare Office before the child is born. This is also possible after the birth. The mother must agree to the father's acknowledgement.