Maternity allowance for the self-employed in Switzerland: What you need to know

Are you self-employed and expecting a baby? This marks the beginning of a very special time, which, alongside all the anticipation, likely brings a few questions with it. Because while your life is about to change, your business won't simply run itself. You might be wondering how to fund your time off, what will happen to your ongoing client projects, and whether you, as a self-employed entrepreneur, are even entitled to maternity benefits.

The good news is that, even as a self-employed person in Switzerland, you are generally covered by the Loss of Earnings Compensation (EO) scheme and can receive maternity benefits after the birth of your child. However, there are a few requirements and specifics you should be aware of so that you can plan your time off early and as stress-free as possible.

In this article, you will learn how maternity benefits work, how much you can expect to receive, and what you as a self-employed woman should pay particular attention to.

The most important facts about maternity benefits at a glance

• Duration: 14 weeks or 98 days from the date of birth.‍
• Amount: 80% of your relevant earned income, up to a maximum of CHF 220 per day.‍
• Maximum compensation: CHF 21,560 for the standard 98 days.‍
• Requirements: Nine months of compulsory AHV insurance immediately prior to the birth‍
• Application: As a self-employed person, you apply for the compensation directly through your AHV compensation fund.‍
• Important: If you resume your professional activity during your maternity leave, your entitlement to compensation will end prematurely.

As of: October 2026.

1. Who is entitled to maternity benefits as a self-employed person?

Maternity compensation is a benefit provided by the Swiss Loss of Earnings Compensation (EO) scheme, which provides financial support to working mothers after the birth of their child. It replaces a portion of the income lost during maternity leave and is available to both employees and self-employed women, provided they meet the legal requirements.

To be entitled to maternity benefits as a self-employed person, you must generally meet the following requirements:‍

• ‍Nine months of AHV insurance coverage: You must have been compulsorily insured under the AHV scheme for the nine months immediately preceding the birth. In the case of a premature birth, this period is reduced in accordance with statutory provisions.‍
• At least five months of employment: You must have worked for at least five months during the required insurance period. It does not matter whether you were employed full-time or part-time.‍
• Employment at the time of birth: You must be considered self-employed at the time of birth, be in a valid employment relationship, or meet another legally provided eligibility requirement.

Good to know: You do not need to have been self-employed for the entire nine-month period, as periods from previous employment also count toward the required insurance and employment duration. Therefore, if you have only recently started your business, you may still be entitled to maternity compensation, provided you meet the other legal requirements. We recommend that you clarify your eligibility with your AHV compensation office at an early stage. You can also find all the requirements in the official AHV/IV leaflet "Maternity Compensation."

2. How much is the maternity compensation for the self-employed?

One of the most important questions is, of course, how much money you can expect during your maternity leave. After all, you want to be there for your baby while also being able to cover your private expenses and the ongoing costs of your business.

Maternity compensation amounts to 80% of your relevant average earned income, up to a maximum of CHF 220 per day. With a standard entitlement period of 98 days, this corresponds to a maximum compensation of CHF 21,560.

For the self-employed, the relevant AHV-liable earned income is the deciding factor, not the total turnover of the company.

Example: How your maternity compensation is calculated

Let's assume you run a sole proprietorship and your relevant AHV-liable annual income is CHF 54,000. For the simplified calculation, your annual income is divided by 360 days, and 80% of that amount is taken into account as maternity compensation.

Calculation Amount
Relevant annual income CHF 54,000
Average daily income CHF 150
80% of this CHF 120
Compensation for 98 days CHF 11,760

In this example, you would receive a total of CHF 11,760 in maternity allowance before the relevant social security deductions.

To give you a better idea of how your income affects the allowance, here are some additional calculation examples:

Annual income Daily allowance Total for 98 days
CHF 36,000 CHF 80 CHF 7,840
CHF 54,000 CHF 120 CHF 11,760
CHF 72,000 CHF 160 CHF 15,680
CHF 90,000 CHF 200 CHF 19,600
CHF 99,000 CHF 220 CHF 21,560

The table shows simplified calculation examples before deductions. The binding calculation is performed by the responsible AHV compensation office.

Please note: Revenue is not the same as income

Especially when self-employed, it is important to distinguish between revenue and income. For example, if you generate CHF 100,000 in revenue, you still have to pay your business expenses such as insurance, software, materials, or marketing from that amount.

Therefore, it is not your total revenue that is decisive for the maternity allowance, but your relevant AHV-liable earned income.

Our tip: Keep an eye on your business figures from the start and regularly check your AHV contribution basis. Especially if you are newly self-employed or your income has changed significantly, it is worth clarifying the projected calculation directly with your compensation office.

3. How long is maternity leave in Switzerland?

Statutory maternity leave generally lasts 14 weeks or 98 calendar days and begins on the day your child is born. Weekends and public holidays are included in these 98 days.

It is important to know that you cannot split up your maternity leave as you wish or save individual weeks for a later date. The entitlement to the allowance begins with the birth and generally runs for 14 consecutive weeks.

As a self-employed entrepreneur, you can of course decide to stay with your baby for longer than these 14 weeks. However, the regular maternity allowance ends after 98 days, which means you will generally have to finance any additional time off yourself.

Under certain legal conditions, the duration of compensation may be extended, for example, if your newborn has to remain in the hospital for an extended period immediately after birth.

4. Are you allowed to work as a self-employed person during maternity leave?

This question is of particular concern to many self-employed women, as it is often not possible to simply pause a business for several weeks. You may have long-standing clients, ongoing projects, or business obligations that you cannot simply put on hold.

However, there is an important legal rule here that you should definitely be aware of: As soon as you resume your gainful employment, either in whole or in part, during your maternity leave, your entitlement to maternity compensation ends prematurely.

This means that you will generally no longer receive the remaining daily allowances, even if the standard 14 weeks have not yet elapsed.

Therefore, it is worth considering during your pregnancy how you would like to wrap up your current projects and organize your time off. If you are unsure about how a particular activity might affect your entitlement, you should clarify this question directly with your AHV compensation office.

5. How do you apply for maternity compensation as a self-employed person?

While employers are usually involved in the registration process for employees, as a self-employed person, you are responsible for claiming your entitlement yourself.

The application is submitted directly to the AHV compensation office where you settle your social security contributions.

Here is how to proceed:

1. Contact your AHV compensation office: Ideally, find out which documents you need for the application while you are still pregnant.‍
2. Fill out the application form: Use the official form 318.750 "Application for Maternity Compensation," which you can find in the official AHV/IV form directory.‍
3. Submit your documents: Send the fully completed form along with the required supporting documents to your compensation office.‍
4. Receive your compensation: After reviewing your claim, the compensation office will calculate your maternity compensation and arrange for payment.

Maternity compensation is generally paid in arrears at the end of each month. You can claim your entitlement up to five years after the end of the 14-week maternity leave period.

However, we recommend that you register as soon as possible so that you do not have to wait unnecessarily long for your financial support.

6. What applies to part-time self-employment?

Many women begin their self-employment while working in a part-time job. If, for example, you are employed at 60% and are building your own business on the side, you may also be entitled to maternity benefits.

If you have multiple jobs, the relevant earned income from all of them is generally taken into account. However, even in this situation, the maximum compensation is capped at a total of CHF 220 per day.

7. How to prepare your business for maternity leave

As a self-employed entrepreneur, you are likely used to making many decisions yourself and taking responsibility for your business. When it comes to maternity leave, however, it pays not to leave things to chance and to make some important preparations well in advance.

Clarify your eligibility early on. Find out about the requirements and the estimated amount of your compensation from your AHV compensation office while you are still pregnant. This will give you a better idea of the financial resources you can count on.

Build up financial reserves. Maternity compensation only replaces a portion of your earned income and is not business interruption insurance. Unlike military service, for example, self-employed individuals do not receive an additional business allowance during maternity leave. Your fixed business costs, such as rent for your hair salon, insurance, or software subscriptions, may continue regardless. If, for example, you receive CHF 7,840 in maternity compensation for the 98 days, you must use that to cover both your private living expenses and your ongoing business costs. This makes it all the more important to build up financial reserves early.

Inform your clients in good time. Clear and early communication helps you wrap up ongoing projects and manage expectations. This ensures everyone involved knows when you will be unavailable and when you are expected to return.

Plan your return to work realistically. You might want to return to full-time work after 14 weeks, or perhaps you would prefer to work a little less at first. Think about what workload fits your new family life and the needs of your business well in advance.

The better you prepare for your time off, the less you will have to worry about organizational or financial matters after the baby arrives.

Conclusion: Motherhood and self-employment can be balanced

As a self-employed woman, you carry a lot of responsibility, as you manage not only your actual work but also your clients, your finances, and the growth of your business. When a baby enters the picture, your daily life changes fundamentally.

This makes it all the more important to know your rights and address your financial security early on. Maternity compensation provides an important foundation for this, as you will receive 80% of your relevant earned income for 14 weeks, provided you meet the legal requirements, up to a maximum of CHF 220 per day.

To ensure you can enjoy this special time as carefree as possible, it is worth checking your AHV status in good time, building up financial reserves, and preparing your business for your absence.

After all, being self-employed does not mean you have to be available at all times. It also means building your business in a way that fits your life and the changes that come with it.

Would you like to set up your self-employment the right way from the start?

There is a lot to consider when you are self-employed – from social security, pension planning, finances, and taxes to building the right visibility and a strong mindset. At Selbständige Frauen Schweiz, we support you in exactly these areas with our online course "(Part-time) Self-employed, but done right!". This will help you build your business with the necessary knowledge, clarity, and courage so you can forge your own path.

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Learn more: https://selbstaendigefrauen.ch

Note: This article is for general information purposes only and does not replace individual consultation with the relevant AHV compensation office. As of: October 2026.

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