How long does salary continuation by the employer last?

In Germany, your employer typically continues to pay your full salary for six weeks (42 days) if you are unable to work due to illness. Only after this period does public or private sick pay start.

Sick Pay Insurance for Expats in Germany

Q: What happens when transitioning to occupational disability?

Sick pay ends once a permanent occupational disability is established. Ideally, your Occupational Disability Insurance (BU) should take over at this point. We coordinate both policies to ensure a seamless transition.

What happens if you are sick for more than six weeks? As an employee in Germany, your salary continuation ends. Public health insurance then pays "Krankengeld". Many people do not know that this money is much less than your normal salary. If you are self-employed, you often have zero income from day one. Sick Pay Insurance closes this dangerous income gap.

Reading time: about 5 minutes

At a glance:

David's Story: Why 70% is not enough

David is a 48-year-old manager at a tech company. He earns a high salary and has a comfortable lifestyle.

Then he had a serious back injury. David could not work for five months. For the first six weeks, his employer paid his full salary. However, from the seventh week, he only received "Krankengeld" from the public insurance.

David suddenly missed over 1,200 Euros every month. Public sick pay is limited. It covers at most 70% of your gross income. Since David earned more than the limit, his loss was even higher. His fixed costs stayed the same. David had to use his retirement savings to pay his bills. Today, he says: "I never thought a few months of illness could be so expensive. Sick Pay Insurance would have saved me 6,000 Euros."

Protect your Lifestyle

Ensure your mortgage and family costs are covered even when you cannot work.

Made for Expats

Insurance for high-earning professionals and international freelancers in Germany.

Who needs Sick Pay Insurance? for Expats in Germany

Self-employed & Freelancers: If you do not work, you do not earn money. This is your safety net.
Employees with high income: The gap between your salary and public money is very large.
Primary Breadwinners: If the family depends on your income, you must protect it.

Digital Advice in English

As your neutral broker, I ensure your sick pay matches your income. We focus on:

Coordination with BU: Ensuring sick pay ends and Disability Insurance (BU) starts without a gap.
No Cancellation: Choosing companies that cannot cancel your policy.
Flexible Changes: Increasing your cover as your salary grows without new health checks.

Income Gap Calculator: What are you missing?

Calculate your expected money from public insurance and see the monthly gap.

Your Status

Monthly Net Income

Your Net Income (€)

Your Monthly Gap

750 €

Expected Sickness Benefit (approx.)

2,250 €

Starting from day 43 of illness

Recommendation

You should secure a sick pay of at least 25 € per day to keep your lifestyle.

Requirements for Expats

Valid German Address (Anmeldung)
German Bank Account (IBAN)
Valid Residence Permit (for at least 12 months for some providers)
Proof of income

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much sick pay do I need?

For employees, sick pay should cover the gap between public sickness benefit (Krankengeld) and your net income, starting from the 43rd day. Freelancers should secure their full net income often starting from day 15 or 22.

How is the sick pay amount calculated?

The daily allowance is based on your average net income over the last 12 months. The total of private sick pay and (for employees) public benefit must not exceed your actual net income.

What is the waiting period (Karenzzeit)?

The waiting period is the time from the start of your illness until benefits are paid. For employees, this is typically 42 days. For freelancers, it can be customized (e.g., 14 or 21 days), which affects the premium.

Can the insurer cancel my policy?

Good premium tariffs waive the insurer's right to cancel in the first three years. This is a critical point we check in our English consultation to ensure your protection is permanent.

How long does salary continuation last?

In Germany, employers typically continue to pay your full salary for six weeks (42 days). Only after this period do public benefits or private sick pay payments begin.

What happens if I become permanently disabled?

Sick pay is for temporary illness. If you become permanently unable to work, your Occupational Disability Insurance (BU) should take over. We ensure both policies are perfectly coordinated.

Price Transparency

In Germany, insurance premiums are regulated by law. This means you pay the same price whether you buy directly from an insurance company or through a broker like me. My expert advice and personal support are already included in the premium – there are no extra costs for you.

Legal Note: The information provided here is for general educational purposes and does not count as personal advice or a binding offer. Insurance conditions may vary. For tailored protection, a digital consultation via video call is required.

Sick Pay Insurance: Don't let long-term Illness become a financial Trap for Expats in Germany