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.
Key Facts at a Glance
| What is covered | An agreed daily benefit if you are unable to work due to illness, from the day you chose (waiting period). |
|---|---|
| What is not covered | The waiting period itself, permanent occupational disability and income above the insurable net income. Details |
| Who needs it | For self-employed people and employees earning above the contribution ceiling whose income collapses during a longer illness. |
| What does it cost | For a 35-year-old self-employed person with a €100 daily benefit from day 22, around €35 to €45 per month; from day 4 about twice as much. Non-binding guide value (as of 2026); your premium depends on your situation. You can calculate your exact premium in the comparison calculator on this page. |
| What to look out for | A suitable waiting period, a daily benefit matching your net income and options to increase cover as your income grows. |
David's Story: Why 70% is not enough
Fictional example for illustration; all persons and events are invented.
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.
Which Expats in Germany Need Sick Pay Insurance?
- Self-employed & Freelancers: If you do not work, you do not earn money. This is your safety net.
- Employees with income above the contribution ceiling: From €5,812.50 gross per month (as of 2026), statutory sick pay does not increase any further, so the gap to your net salary becomes particularly 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
With your gross salary, sick pay is calculated exactly by the statutory rules instead of estimated.
How the calculation works:
1. The 42-Day Gap: In Germany, your employer pays your salary for the first 6 weeks of illness. After that, this payment stops, and the statutory health insurance kicks in.
2. Only about 75% of Net: Statutory sick pay is 70% of gross income, capped at 90% of net; after social security deductions, this usually leaves only around 75% of your net salary (capped at the statutory maximum sick pay of approx. €3,560 net per month in 2026 due to the contribution assessment ceiling). If you enter your gross salary, the calculator applies these statutory rules exactly. This leaves a gap in your budget every month.
3. Self-Employed Risk: Many self-employed individuals have no automatic sick pay. Without private insurance, you receive 0 € from the 43rd day. This calculator shows your full income as a gap.
4. Fixed Costs continue: Rent, insurance, and food must still be paid while you are ill. The gap shows the amount you would need to withdraw from your savings every month.
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
What Is Not Covered
Sick pay insurance closes the income gap during illness. It does not cover these points:
- The waiting period: There is no money for the agreed first days. More in the waiting period trap.
- Permanent disability: If a doctor confirms occupational disability, sick pay ends; then disability insurance takes over.
- Overinsurance: The daily benefit must not exceed your net income; if your income falls, the insurer can reduce it.
- Partial work: If you keep working partly despite being signed off sick, you usually lose the entitlement entirely.
How I Help You When You Need to Claim Benefits
Here you deal with the insurer directly for everyday matters, which is usually the fastest way. As your broker, I am legally on your side, not the insurer's, and I step in as soon as something gets stuck:
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1. Contact the insurer directly
Sick notes go directly to the insurer. Where exactly is stated in your policy document; many insurers offer an app for this.
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2. Keep your records
Keep invoices, letters and decisions until the money has arrived. If there are queries or a dispute, they are your proof.
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3. Prove your incapacity to work
Submit the sick note early and report every extension. For self-employed people, the insurer often also asks for proof of income.
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4. I help when it gets stuck
If the insurer refuses, cuts benefits or takes too long, contact me. I check the settlement and the policy conditions and follow up with the insurer.
Compare Rates Yourself
Use our comparison tool to calculate premiums and find the best rates for your situation. You can sign up directly online.
Comparison calculator by blau direkt GmbH (maklerinfo.biz)
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Please note: this calculator is provided by a German platform and is only available in German. If you need help filling it in, I am happy to go through it with you in English.