What is Krankengeld in Germany, who gets it, how much, and how to apply #

If you fall seriously ill in Germany and can’t work for a long time, your employer will stop paying your salary after six weeks of sick leave. But this doesn’t mean you’re left without income. At that point, Krankengeld Germany’s statutory sick pay benefit, steps in to support you financially while you recover.

This guide explains everything you need to know about Krankengeld in simple terms: what it is, who is eligible, how much you will receive, how long it lasts, and how to apply.

What Is Krankengeld in Germany? #

Krankengeld (pronounced krun-ken-geld) literally means “sickness money.” It’s a type of income replacement benefit paid by your public health insurance provider when you’re too sick to work for more than six weeks

In short:

• First 6 weeks: Employer pays your salary (continued payment).
• After 6 weeks: Your health insurance pays Krankengeld.

The goal of Krankengeld is to protect your income during long-term illness so you can focus on recovery without financial stress.

Who can get Krankengeld in Germany? #

• You are eligible for Krankengeld if all of the following apply:
• You are insured under Germany’s public health insurance system (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung).
• You are employed or self-employed and pay contributions to public health insurance.
• You are medically certified as unable to work for longer than six weeks.
• Your illness is not work-related (workplace accidents and occupational illnesses are usually covered by accident insurance instead).

Private health insurance: Krankengeld is usually not included in basic private plans. If you’re privately insured, you must purchase optional sick pay coverage (Krankentagegeldversicherung) to receive payments after six weeks.

How much Krankengeld will I receive? #

The standard Krankengeld payment is: 70% of your gross salary, but no more than 90% of your net salary. There’s also a legal maximum cap, which changes yearly. In 2025, the maximum Krankengeld is around €120 per day (about €3,600 per month) but most employees receive less, based on their salary.

These tools help you input your income and check what you would receive under Krankengeld.

Krankengeld calculator

Krankengeld calculator

Example: #

Gross monthly salary: €3,000 and Net monthly salary: €2,200. 70% of gross: €2,100 and 90% of net: €1,980 Result: You would receive €1,980 per month in Krankengeld.

Tip: Health insurance contributions and pension payments are usually deducted from Krankengeld, so the amount you receive might be slightly lower.

How long can you receive Krankengeld? #

You can receive Krankengeld for up to: 78 weeks (about 18 months) within a 3-year period for the same illness. If you recover and later become ill again with a different condition, a new 78-week period can start. However, if the illness returns within 6 months, it may still count toward the original 78-week limit.

How to apply for Krankengeld? #

The process is quite simple, but you must follow the steps carefully:

1. Visit your doctor regularly

   • Make sure you have a valid sick note (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung) at all times.

   • It must be issued without a gap, even a one-day break can cause payment delays.

2. Health insurance receives your sick note automatically

   • Doctors now send your certificate electronically to your insurer.

3. Your health insurance will contact you

   • They’ll usually send you a form to confirm your details (bank account, employment info, etc.).

   • Fill it out and return it as soon as possible.

4. Receive your Krankengeld payments

   • Payments are usually made every two weeks, 4 weeks or monthly, directly to your bank account.

What happens if you recover and then fall ill again? #

If you recover and return to work, your Krankengeld entitlement resets only if:

• You are healthy for at least 6 months, or
• It’s a different illness from the original one.

If the same illness returns within 6 months, it continues to count toward the 78-week total.

Special Cases: Self-Employed, Students, and Parents #

• Self-employed: Must choose Krankengeld coverage voluntarily when registering with public health insurance. If you didn’t opt in, you won’t receive sick pay.
• Students: Usually not eligible unless they are employed or voluntarily insured.
• Parents caring for a sick child: Can receive child sickness benefit (Kinderkrankengeld), which works similarly to regular Krankengeld.

What if your Krankengeld ends? #

If you’re still unable to work after your 78-week limit, Krankengeld stops. At this stage, you may qualify for other benefits, such as:

• Arbeitslosengeld I (unemployment benefit), if you are still unable to work but were previously employed.
• Erwerbsminderungsrente (reduced earning capacity pension), if your illness prevents you from working long-term.

Your health insurance will usually notify you before your Krankengeld ends so you can prepare your next steps.

For a complete overview of how sick leave works before Krankengeld begins — including notifying your employer, getting a sick note, and salary continuation, check out our guide: How to get paid sick leave in Germany: Your rights and next steps