Do you need a Certificate of Incapacity for Work (AU certificate) in Germany, but your doctor doesn’t have an appointment for weeks? This comprehensive 2026 guide explains everything about sick notes in Germany: when they are required, legal requirements, employee rights, and how to get an AU certificate online in 2 hours.
What is a Certificate of Incapacity for Work?
A Certificate of Incapacity for Work (colloquially “sick note” or “yellow note”) is a medical certificate confirming that an employee is temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury.
Legal Bases
- Continued Payment of Remuneration Act (EFZG): Regulates entitlement to continued payment of wages
- § 5 EFZG: Obligation to present the AU certificate
- Social Code V (SGB V): Sickness benefit and benefits
- Employment contracts: Can provide for shorter deadlines
AU Certificate Online – €34.99
Licensed Doctors • In 2 Hours • Valid for Employers and Health Insurance
When Do You Need an AU Certificate?
| Length of Illness | Requirement | Continued Payment of Wages |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–3 | Oral sick note sufficient | Yes (100% to 6 weeks) |
| From Day 4 | AU certificate mandatory | Yes (with valid AU) |
Important Deadlines
- Sick note: Immediately (on the 1st day of illness)
- AU certificate: No later than the 4th calendar day
- Health insurance company: Automatically transmitted via eAU since 2023
- Employer: You must present employer part
Electronic AU (eAU) in Germany 2026
The eAU Procedure
Since January 2023, the AU certificate has been transmitted electronically:
- Doctor created: AU electronically in the system
- Automatic transmission: To health insurance
- Employer retrieves: With health insurance electronically
- You will receive: Printout for your documents
What You Still Need
- Confirmation of incapacity for work for own documents
- For problems with eAU system: Paper printout as backup
- For employers without eAU access: Employer part in paper form
Continued Payment of Wages and Sickness Benefit
Continued Payment of Wages (First 6 Weeks)
- Duration: Up to 6 weeks (42 calendar days)
- Amount: 100% of regular wages
- Requirement: Valid AU certificate
- Paid by: Employer
Sickness Benefit (From Week 7)
- Start: From 43rd day of illness
- Amount: 70% of gross salary (max. 90% of net salary)
- Duration: Up to 78 weeks in 3 years
- Paid by: Health insurance
How to Get an AU Certificate
| Method | Cost | Waiting Time |
|---|---|---|
| Family doctor | Free (insurance card) | 5–14 days |
| On-call service 116117 | Free | Immediately (available by phone) |
| Private doctor | €50–100 (self-payers) | A few days |
| Online AU | €34.99 | 2 hours |
Doctor’s Appointment Not for Another 2 Weeks?
- Family doctor: Free but 2 weeks waiting time
- Online AU: €34.99 + 2 hours = continued payment secured
- 2 weeks without AU = No salary = €2000+ Loss
- Online AU protects your wage claim
Online AU Certificates: Process
To ensure that you do not lose your salary when you are sick due to a waiting time of almost 2 weeks for a family doctor, you can use getmedicalcertificate.com to avail the medical certificate. You can obtain your Medical certificate through our online service. Our process has been designed to ensure you receive a comprehensive medical evaluation while accommodating your busy schedule.
Our Professional Process:
- Step 1: Fill up the form on the link to complete the health assessment
- Step 2: Upload the custom format for the Medical certificate on the form too. If you do not have the template, you can download them from here.
- Step 3: Upload your vitals and other related health measurements on the secure link provided on email.
- Step 4: A licensed medical practitioner will review your case and share the signed note within 120 minutes*.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Online AU Legal in Germany?
Yes. Telemedicine sick notes have been permanently permitted since COVID-19.
Can Employers Reject Online AU?
No, if AU meets all legal requirements, employers must accept them.
How Long is the AU Certificate Valid?
The doctor sets a time period, typically 3–14 days initially. If continued: follow-up AU necessary.
What if AU Expires and I’m Still Sick?
Get a new AU before the old one expires. Gap jeopardizes continued wage payments.
Retroactive AU Possible?
Medical professional codes restrict backdating. Maximum 1–2 days in case of obvious illness.
AU Certificate Get Online
Fast, legal, and accepted by employers
- ✓ Licensed German physicians
- ✓ Finished in 2 hours
- ✓ Valid for continued payment of wages
- ✓ Accepted by all employers
- ✓ Only €34.99
- ✓ 24/7 available
Final Thoughts
- AU certificate mandatory from the 4th day of illness
- Electronic eAU process since 2023
- 6 weeks continued payment of wages with valid AU
- Family doctor appointments: 5–14 days waiting time
- Online AU: €34.99, 2 hours delivery
- Telemedical AU permanently legal
- Employers must accept valid AU
As of February 2026. Corresponds to German labor law and social security law.