Maternity leave

Up-to-date information about maternity leave, duty of disclosure and obligation to provide evidence, provisions restricting certain activities, self-employment and pregnancy, etc.

Information for job market newcomers

As soon as an employer becomes aware that one of their employees is pregnant, they are under an obligation to provide her with protection under the MSchG (Austrian Maternity Leave Act).

More detailed information on maternity leave^{German text} is available at oesterreich.gv.at.

Caution

The Maternity Leave Act does not apply to entrepreneurs or people who are newly self-employed. Full details on "self-employment and pregnancy" are also available at USP.gv.at.

In addition, the Maternity Leave Act does not apply to freelance contractors in an employment-like relationship, with the exception of provisions restricting certain activities and limited protection against dismissal.

Further Links

Maternity leave (→ AK)^{German text}
Leave (annual leave, parental leave, etc.) (→ EURES)

Legal basis

Mutterschutzgesetz (MSchG)

Translated by the European Commission

Last update: 24 February 2023

Responsible for the content: Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy