German Sick Leave Rules: How Krankmeldung & eAU Work

German labor law provides strong protections for sick employees. If you fall ill in Germany, taking sick leave (Krankmeldung) is a straightforward process, but you must follow exact notification rules to maintain your legal employee protections.

Basic Steps When Calling In Sick

1. Notify Your Employer Immediately (Krankmeldung)

On the very first day of illness, you must inform your manager or HR department before the start of your shift (usually via email, Slack, or telephone). You do not need to disclose your specific medical diagnosis or condition—under German privacy law, your medical reason remains strictly between you and your doctor.

2. The 3-Day Rule for Doctor’s Notes (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung – AU)

  • Standard Rule: By law (§ 5 EntgFG), if your illness lasts longer than 3 consecutive calendar days, you must visit a doctor (Hausarzt) to obtain an official sick certificate by the 4th day.
  • Company Exception: Check your employment contract. Some employers require a doctor’s sick note from Day 1 of illness.

What is the Electronic Sick Note (eAU)?

Since 2023, Germany has digitalized medical sick leave certificates through the eAU (elektronische Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung):

How the eAU Process Works

  1. Visit Your Doctor: Your doctor examines you and issues a digital sick note into the central statutory health insurance database (TK, AOK, Barmer).
  2. Paper Certificates Are History: You no longer need to physically mail a paper sick note to your employer or insurance provider.
  3. Employer Retrieval: Your employer’s HR department automatically queries the statutory health insurance portal to verify your approved sick leave duration.
  4. Tip: Always ask your doctor for a printed copy marked “Ausfertigung für den Versicherten” (for your own personal records).

Salary Continuation (Lohnfortzahlung) & Sick Pay (Krankengeld)

German law ensures you do not lose income while recovering from illness:

100% Salary Continuation (Lohnfortzahlung)

For the first 6 consecutive weeks (42 calendar days) of a single illness, your employer is legally required to pay 100% of your regular salary.

Sickness Benefit (Krankengeld)

If your illness extends beyond 6 weeks for the same medical condition, your employer stops paying your salary, and your public health insurance provider steps in to pay Krankengeld:

  • Amount: Approximately 70% of your gross income (capped at 90% of net income).
  • Duration: Payable for up to 78 weeks within a 3-year period for the same illness.

Understanding your rights as an employee helps you focus on rest and recovery without worrying about job security!