Sick leave rules in Germany at a glance
Statutory rules for Germany, checked against official government guidance on 15 October 2026.
| Tell your employer | Without delay, with the expected length |
|---|---|
| Self certification | Up to 3 calendar days, unless your employer asks earlier |
| Doctor's certificate needed from | More than 3 calendar days, or day 1 if your employer asks |
| Certificate deadline | Next working day after day 3; with statutory insurance the employer retrieves the eAU from the insurer |
| Waiting days | None set out |
| Employer pays | Full pay for up to 6 weeks, after 4 weeks in the job |
| State sickness benefit | Krankengeld: 70% of gross pay, no more than 90% of net |
| Maximum duration | 78 weeks in 3 years for the same illness |
| Day count | Calendar days |
| Last checked |
Who pays sick pay in Germany?
In Germany, employer pay: full pay for up to 6 weeks, after 4 weeks in the job. State sickness benefit: Krankengeld: 70% of gross pay, no more than 90% of net.
- EmployerDays 1 to 42Full pay for up to 6 weeks, after 4 weeks in the job
- State sickness benefitFrom day 43Krankengeld: 70% of gross pay, no more than 90% of net
- Sickness benefit
- Krankengeld
- Official body
- Gesetzliche Krankenkasse
- Certificate
- eAU
Work out your own figures with the sick pay calculator.
When do you need a doctor's note in Germany?
In Germany, a doctor's certificate is needed: more than 3 calendar days, or day 1 if your employer asks.
Self certification. Up to 3 calendar days, unless your employer asks earlier
Certificate deadline. Next working day after day 3; with statutory insurance the employer retrieves the eAU from the insurer
Telling your employer. Without delay, with the expected length
Check your own dates with the "do I need a note" tool, or see how to get a doctor's note in Germany.
Worked example: 50 days off sick in Germany
How a 50 day absence runs in Germany, step by step. No money is worked out here.
| When | What happens | The rule |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tell your employer | Without delay, with the expected length |
| Days 1 to 42 | Employer | Full pay for up to 6 weeks, after 4 weeks in the job |
| From day 4 | A doctor's certificate is normally needed | More than 3 calendar days, or day 1 if your employer asks |
| Days 43 to 50 | State sickness benefit | Krankengeld: 70% of gross pay, no more than 90% of net |
Maximum duration: 78 weeks in 3 years for the same illness
For your own figures, use the sick pay calculator. It reads the same checked data as this page.
What is different about sick leave in Germany?
With statutory health insurance, your employer retrieves the electronic certificate from your insurer.
You must still report sick yourself.
What if you work in Germany but live in another country?
If you work in Germany and live in another country, you are usually covered by the social security system where you work, so the rules on this page apply.
Report sick by the rule in Germany (without delay, with the expected length), and send any certificate to the body that pays you (Gesetzliche Krankenkasse).
If your doctor is in another country, ask the paying body (Gesetzliche Krankenkasse) which format it accepts.
More on working in one country and living in another. Related tool: Fit to fly readiness checklist
Frequently asked questions
In Germany you need a doctor's certificate of incapacity for work if you are off longer than 3 calendar days. Your employer can ask for one from the first day. Tell your employer without delay when you fall ill. After 4 weeks in the job, your employer keeps paying your wages for up to 6 weeks.
The certificate deadline in Germany: next working day after day 3; with statutory insurance the employer retrieves the eAU from the insurer.
Waiting days in Germany: none set out.
The maximum duration of sick pay in Germany: 78 weeks in 3 years for the same illness.
Sick leave rules in neighbouring countries
Compare Germany with Austria and Poland, or see all 42 countries side by side.
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