Work and insurance
Krankmeldung
Sick note and reporting sick
Last updated: September 28, 2026
What does Krankmeldung mean?
A Krankmeldung is reporting sick to your employer. You must tell them immediately, usually before your shift starts. If you are sick for more than three calendar days, you need a doctor's certificate (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung) by the next working day; your employer may ask for it from day one. For public health insurance patients, the doctor sends it electronically (eAU).
Key facts
| Tell the employer | Immediately (§5 EFZG) |
| Doctor's certificate needed | If sick more than 3 calendar days |
| Employer can ask earlier | Yes, even from day 1 |
| Continued pay | Up to 6 weeks per illness |
What to do
- Call or message your employer before work starts, with the expected duration.
- See a doctor if you will be off more than three calendar days, or earlier if your contract requires it.
- Publicly insured? The certificate goes electronically to your insurer; your employer retrieves it. Privately insured people still hand in a paper note.
- Your employer keeps paying your salary for up to six weeks per illness.
Worth knowing
Weekends count as calendar days. Sick from Friday to Monday means a doctor's note is due, even though only two working days were missed.
Frequently asked questions
When do I need a sick note in Germany?
When you are sick for more than three calendar days; it must be presented on the following working day. Your employer may require it from the first day.
Do I still need to hand in a paper sick note?
Not if you have public health insurance: the doctor reports it electronically (eAU) and your employer retrieves it. You still have to tell your employer that you are sick.
Read next
Sources
More German terms: work and insurance
Plain-English explanations of the words on your letters and forms.