When do I need a sick note for work?

If you are ill and unfit for work, you have two duties to your employer(2):

You must let your employer know straight away that you’re unfit for work.
You must provide a sick note (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung, AU) by the fourth day of your illness.

Both your notice of absence and your sick note must specify how long you are expected to be unfit for work. You do not need to disclose the type of illness.(2)

The number of days after which a fit note must be provided is set out in the law under the Continued Remuneration Act (Entgeltfortzahlungsgesetz).(1) If the inability to work lasts more than three calendar days, employees must provide a sick note stating the expected duration. The sick note must be submitted no later than the following day (on the 4th day).

Your employer may require a sick note earlier, but this must be specified in your employment contract.(1)

Check your employment contract: do you need to submit a sick note earlier?

Depending on your employment contract, you may need to provide a sick note earlier.(1,2) For example, an employer may require a sick note from the first day of illness.

If your employment contract contains no specific provisions, the statutory rules outlined above apply.(2)

What’s the electronic sick note (eAU)?

Since 1 January 2023, doctors with a public health insurance contract are required to issue an electronic sick note (eAU) for employees.

Good to know:

You no longer receive a paper form for your employer. Your doctor sends the information that you are unfit for work directly to your health insurer; your employer can then access it digitally. You can request a printout for your own records.(3)

Can I get a sick note online or by phone?

Telephone sick notes have been available since late 2023. To qualify, you must already be a patient of the practice and have had an appointment there within the past two years. If the practice offers a video consultation, your doctor can issue a sick note online during a video call.

A sick note issued by phone or video call can cover up to five days. After that, a face‑to‑face appointment with a doctor is required. In some situations, a sick note cannot be issued remotely, for example if an examination and treatment are required.(2)

What happens if I don’t submit a sick note?

If you do not fulfil your duty to provide a sick note, your employer may issue a written warning.(4) If you fail to comply repeatedly, dismissal without notice is also possible.(4)

Your employer may refuse to continue paying your full salary in such cases.(5)

The information provided is for general information only and must not be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis or treatment by a doctor. Self-diagnosis and self-treatment are strongly discouraged.