The German system is generous by comparison: full salary, no waiting days. In return it is formally strict: a missed immediate report justifies a written warning, a late certificate a payment stop.
Sick Leave: The First 6 Weeks
Continued pay: your employer pays the full salary. Your duties: report immediately and get the sick note on time.
✓ Verified: 18/07/2026
WHAT TO DO
› Details and tips
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Max recommends:
I reported to my employer on day one before the shift — a separate duty, independent of the certificate. A missed report justifies a warning even if the sick note comes later.
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Lea recommends:
Full 6-week entitlement arises after 4 weeks with the employer. And remember: the same illness within 6 months continues the old counter rather than opening a fresh 6 weeks.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Fell ill on vacation — days lost? ▾
Days covered by a sick note are credited back to your vacation account. From abroad: send the certificate and inform both employer and insurer at once, or the days are lost.
Can the employer demand the diagnosis? ▾
No. They only see the fact and duration of incapacity — the diagnosis is not transmitted in the electronic sick note. Demanding it is not allowed.
Ill within the first 4 weeks of a new job? ▾
Before 4 weeks of employment there is no continued pay yet — the health insurer pays Krankengeld from day 1. From week 5 the employer covers the full 6 weeks.