Sick pay in Austria (2026)
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
In short: Employers pay the wage for six to twelve weeks depending on length of service, then half pay for four weeks. The social health insurance pays Krankengeld from the fourth day (50% of the base, 60% from day 43) for up to 26 weeks, or 52 weeks with enough insurance time. A confirmation is needed when the employer asks for it.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Who pays sick payBeing ill and unable to work | The employer continues to pay the wage for the first weeks of incapacity (Entgeltfortzahlungsgesetz). After that, the social health insurance pays sickness benefit (Krankengeld). [1] |
| Sick pay rateBeing ill and unable to work | Employer: full pay for the first period, then half pay for a further four weeks. Krankengeld: 50% of the assessment base per calendar day, rising to 60% from the 43rd day of an illness with incapacity. [1] |
| Maximum durationBeing ill and unable to work | Employer: six weeks of full pay, eight weeks after one year of employment, ten weeks after 15 years and twelve weeks after 25 years, followed by four weeks of half pay. Krankengeld: up to 26 weeks for the same insured event, up to 52 weeks if the person was insured for at least six of the last twelve months; the insurer’s statutes may raise this to 78 weeks. [1] |
| Waiting daysBeing ill and unable to work | Employer pay applies once the employee has started work. Krankengeld is paid from the fourth day of incapacity. [2] |
| Medical certificateBeing ill and unable to work | The employee must tell the employer without delay. On the employer’s request, the employee must provide a confirmation from the health insurer or a municipal doctor on the start, expected duration and cause of the incapacity. [3] |
Notes
- Krankengeld is suspended while the employer keeps paying more than 50% of the full pay before the incapacity (half suspended at exactly 50%).
Sources
- Bundeskanzleramt (RIS): Entgeltfortzahlungsgesetz Art. 1 § 2 - Bundesrecht konsolidiert, tagesaktuelle Fassung (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Bundeskanzleramt (RIS): Allgemeines Sozialversicherungsgesetz § 138 - Bundesrecht konsolidiert, tagesaktuelle Fassung (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Bundeskanzleramt (RIS): Entgeltfortzahlungsgesetz Art. 1 § 4 - Bundesrecht konsolidiert, tagesaktuelle Fassung (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.