For the first six weeks of illness you hardly notice anything financially. From week seven things change.
Step 1: six weeks of continued pay
Employees receive full salary for up to six weeks of illness (§ 3 EFZG), provided the employment has lasted at least four weeks. For the same illness the six weeks are generally granted only once.
Step 2: statutory sick pay (Krankengeld)
Then the statutory health insurance (GKV) pays (§§ 44, 47 SGB V):
- 70 % of gross income, but at most 90 % of net income – usually the binding limit;
- gross counts only up to the contribution ceiling (2026: 5,812.50 euros per month), giving a maximum of 135.63 euros per calendar day gross;
- pension, unemployment and care contributions are deducted – around 12 %;
- duration: at most 78 weeks within three years for the same illness (§ 48 SGB V), including the six employer weeks.
The calculation with placeholders
Gross = 100 %, net perhaps 65 %.
| Item | Share of gross |
|---|---|
| 70 % of gross | 70 % |
| 90 % of net (90 % × 65 %) | 58.5 % – the lower limit applies |
| minus about 12 % contributions | about 51–52 % of gross |
So on sick pay you have about 80 % of your usual net income – a fifth missing, for up to a year and a half.
Who is hit hardest
- High earners above the ceiling: the daily cap applies regardless of salary; the gap is far larger.
- Self-employed in the GKV: no automatic sick pay. With an election declaration (§ 44 (2) SGB V) you pay the general contribution rate and receive sick pay from week seven; an optional tariff (§ 53 (6) SGB V) starts earlier with a three-year commitment.
- Privately insured (PKV): no statutory sick pay. Employees need daily sickness benefit (Krankentagegeld) from week seven, the self-employed from day one (§ 192 (5) VVG).
How daily sickness benefit works
- Waiting period: payments start on e.g. day 15, 22, 29 or 43. Longer = cheaper.
- Amount: employees insure the gap to net income; the self-employed also ongoing costs such as contributions and overheads. At most actual net income may be insured.
- Duration: until occupational disability is established.
| Cover | Pays when | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Daily sickness benefit | temporarily unable to work | days to months |
| Disability pension | presumably permanently at least 50 % disabled | years |
| Accident insurance | accidents only, usually lump sum | once |
How to proceed
- Run the calculation with your last payslip.
- Clarify your status: GKV employee, GKV self-employed, PKV.
- Check reserves – that sets the waiting period.
- Self-employed: ask your health fund about the election declaration first.
- Combine with disability cover – see occupational disability basics.
General information, not legal, tax or investment advice. Sources: Continued Remuneration Act (§ 3 EFZG), Social Code V (§§ 44, 47, 48, 53 SGB V), Social Insurance Thresholds Ordinance 2026, German Insurance Contract Act (§ 192 VVG), consumer advice centres (Verbraucherzentrale) – as of October 2026. Want your gap calculated? Get in touch.
