What is sick pay?

Sick pay (Krankengeld) is a benefit paid by the public health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) to replace part of your income if you are unable to work for an extended period of time because of illness.(1,2) It amounts to 70% of your last gross pay, but only income up to the contribution assessment ceiling (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze) of 69,750 € in 2026 is taken into account. It cannot exceed 90% of your net pay.(3) This means it is lower than the full pay your employer continues to pay during the first six weeks of sick leave.(4)

When can I get sick pay, and how long can I receive it?

Sick pay usually starts in the seventh week (from day 43) of incapacity to work.(1) For the first six weeks of sick leave, employees usually continue to receive their full pay from their employer (continued payment of wages, “Lohnfortzahlung”).(4) People receiving unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld) also continue to receive it for the first six weeks. Sick pay begins in the seventh week.(5)

If you receive transitional allowance (Übergangsgeld) or short-time work allowance (Kurzarbeitergeld), you can receive sick pay from the first day of illness.(2)

For the same illness, you can receive sick pay for up to 78 weeks within a three-year period. That three-year period begins on the first day of incapacity for work. The first six weeks of continued payment of wages count towards those 78 weeks.(6)

Who can claim sick pay in Germany?

The following people are entitled to sick pay:

Employees who pay social insurance contributions and are covered by public health insurance.(7)
This includes apprentices and trainees in paid employment.(7)
People receiving transitional allowance (Übergangsgeld).(7)
People whose main job is self-employment and who are covered by public health insurance. To qualify, they must have submitted an opt-in declaration (Wahlerklärung) to their health insurer before they became unable to work so that their cover includes sick pay.(7)

The following people are not entitled to sick pay:(7)

People with private health insurance: they can take out private daily sickness allowance insurance.(8)
Self-employed people who have not opted in to sick pay and instead pay a reduced contribution rate of 14% to public health insurance.(9)
People receiving Citizen’s Benefit (Bürgergeld)
Students
Unpaid interns
People without health insurance
People in marginal employment (geringfügig Beschäftigte, also known as “Minijob”): no social insurance contributions are paid on this income, so they are not entitled to sick pay.(10)

How much sick pay can I get?

Sick pay amounts to 70% of your gross income from the last payroll period before you fell ill, as long as that period covered at least four weeks. Only income up to the contribution assessment ceiling (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze) is taken into account, and it cannot exceed 90% of your last net income.(3) It is paid for each calendar day. If you receive sick pay for a full month, it is calculated on the basis of 30 days.(3) In 2026, the maximum amount is 135.63 € per day.(11)

People receiving unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld) receive sick pay at the same rate as their unemployment benefit.(12)

How is sick pay calculated?

Sick pay is based on your regular earnings (Regelentgelt). This is your gross pay from the last month before you were signed off sick, up to the contribution assessment ceiling (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze) of 5,812.50 € per month in 2026.(11)

One-off payments are not included in the calculation.(3)

The maximum amount paid is 135.63 € per day.(11)

While you are receiving sick pay, you remain insured through public health insurance and do not have to pay the contributions yourself.(13) However, contributions to unemployment insurance, pension insurance and long-term care insurance are still deducted from the sick pay you receive.(14,15)

What do I need to do while receiving sick pay?

Health insurers only have to pay sick pay for the days covered by a sick note (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung). To keep receiving sick pay, your sick notes must be continuous, with no gaps. It is your responsibility to make sure they are issued on time.(16)

You must get a follow-up certificate no later than the working day after your previous certificate ends. Otherwise, you may lose your entitlement to sick pay.(16)

Good to know:

If your employment ends while you are receiving sick pay, a gap in your sick notes also means you will lose your public health insurance coverage. Even if you later submit another sick note, you would no longer be entitled to sick pay because you would no longer be insured through public health insurance.(17)

Your health insurer can also arrange a medical examination if there are doubts about whether you are unable to work.(18) If that happens, you must attend the examination.(19)

While you are receiving sick pay, your health insurer can also require you to undergo medical treatment (Heilbehandlung) if it is expected to improve your condition or stop it from getting worse.(20)

How to avoid common mistakes when claiming sick pay:

Make sure there are no gaps in your sick notes. A new certificate must be issued no later than the working day after the previous certificate ends.(16)
To avoid misunderstandings, check with your health insurer that it has all the information it needs to process your claim.
Tell your health insurer about any additional income, such as a mini-job, and any changes to that income.(21) Otherwise, you may have to repay money or your sick pay may be reduced.(22)
Get approval from your health insurer if you plan to travel abroad while receiving sick pay. Otherwise, your entitlement to sick pay is suspended while you are abroad.(23)
Make sure you read all letters you receive from your health insurer or the Medical Service (Medizinischer Dienst) while you are receiving sick pay. You have a duty to cooperate. If you do not attend assessments or examinations arranged by your health insurer or the Medical Service, your sick pay may be stopped.(22)

The content provided is for informational purposes only and may not be used as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a doctor. Self-diagnosis and self-treatment are not recommended.