Sick pay in Germany (2026)
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
In short: Employers continue to pay wages for up to six weeks. After that, statutory health insurance pays sickness benefit (Krankengeld) of 70% of gross pay, capped at 90% of net pay, for up to 78 weeks in three years. A medical certificate is due when the incapacity lasts longer than three calendar days.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Who pays sick payBeing ill and unable to work | The employer continues to pay the wage for up to six weeks of incapacity. After that, employees insured in statutory health insurance can claim sickness benefit (Krankengeld) from their health insurance fund. [1] |
| Sick pay rateBeing ill and unable to work | Employer: the pay the employee would have earned for the normal working hours, without overtime pay. Krankengeld: 70% of regular gross pay, but not more than 90% of net pay. [2] |
| Maximum durationBeing ill and unable to work | Employer pay lasts up to six weeks per illness. A new six-week period for the same illness applies if the employee was not incapacitated by it for six months, or twelve months have passed since the first incapacity began. Krankengeld is paid for up to 78 weeks within three years for the same illness. [3] |
| Waiting daysBeing ill and unable to work | The employer’s duty to pay arises after four weeks of uninterrupted employment. Krankengeld arises on the day the doctor certifies the incapacity (outside hospital treatment). [1] |
| Medical certificateBeing ill and unable to work | If the incapacity lasts longer than three calendar days, a medical certificate must be given to the employer on the next working day at the latest. The employer may ask for it earlier. Members of a statutory health insurer must have the doctor determine the incapacity at the same points in time. [4] |
Sources
- Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 3 EntgFG - Einzelnorm (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 4 EntgFG - Einzelnorm (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 48 SGB 5 - Einzelnorm (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 5 EntgFG - Einzelnorm (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.