Overview
- After six weeks of continued pay from the employer, entitlement to Krankengeld begins with the physician’s certification and depends on uninterrupted proof of incapacity for work.
- Since 2023 doctors send sick notes electronically and, with expanded eAU feedback from January 2025, more transmission and formatting errors are being flagged, so employees are advised to keep paper or PDF backups and alert employer and insurer promptly.
- Recent Federal Social Court guidance limits blanket refusals after minor delays, yet health insurers may still stop payments when there is a gap or formal defect and affected persons must object within one month and escalate to the social court if needed.
- Returning to the main job generally ends Krankengeld even during an active sick note, whereas a side job can be permissible only if recovery is not hindered and the activity is immediately reported to the insurer for review.
- If illness strikes during approved vacation, days are credited back with proper documentation, and for sickness abroad workers must inform employer and health insurer within three days and present a local medical certificate, while rules on consecutive illnesses cap employer wage continuation at six weeks unless statutory reset conditions are met.