Sick Pay Calculator 2026
How much money do you get if you are ill for more than six weeks? Under Section 47 SGB V with all deductions
As of September 2026Basis: Sections 47, 48 SGB V (Social Code Book V)Calculated in your browser – nothing is stored
Regular gross pay of the last settled month, without one-off payments
Net pay from the same payslip (payout without one-off payments)
For long-term care insurance: surcharge without children from 23, reduction from the 2nd child
One-off payments and ageOne-off payments €0 · 35 years
For example a Christmas or holiday bonus, if subject to contributions
From 23 without children the long-term care surcharge applies
Net sick pay per month
€57.87 per day
€1,736.10
€1,736.10Your health fund pays €70.00 sick pay per calendar day. After pension, unemployment and long-term care contributions, €1,736.10 per month remain – 74% of your net pay of €2,333.25, so €597.15 less.
Your previous net pay of €2,333.25
- Net sick pay€1,736.1074%
- Contributions on sick pay€363.9016%
- Not replaced€233.2510%
- Standard daily earningsGross ÷ 30 plus one-off payments ÷ 360
- €116.67
- 70% of standard earnings
- €81.67
- 90% of net pay (upper limit)this limit sets your sick pay
- €70.00
- Gross sick pay per day
- €70.00
- Pension insurance9.3% of 80% of standard earnings
- − €8.68
- Unemployment insurance1.3% of 80% of standard earnings
- − €1.21
- Long-term care insurance2.4% of 80% of standard earnings
- − €2.24
- Net sick pay per day
- €57.87
- Net sick pay per month30 calendar days
- €1,736.10
Good to know
Tax-free, but with progression clause
Sick pay is tax-free but raises the tax rate on your other income (Section 32b EStG). With more than €410 sick pay per year you must file a tax return (Section 46 EStG).
No health insurance contributions
While receiving sick pay you pay no health insurance contributions (Section 224 SGB V). The health fund pays half of the pension, unemployment and long-term care contributions; you bear the long-term care surcharge for childless people alone.
RZ-26 · headon.pro
How it works
Weeks 1 to 6
Your employer continues to pay your full wage (continued pay, Section 3 EFZG).
From week 7
Your health fund pays sick pay for every calendar day as long as a doctor certifies your incapacity to work.
Up to 78 weeks
For the same illness within three years, including the weeks of continued pay (Section 48 SGB V).
Don't have your net pay at hand? Work it out with the gross-to-net calculator
How German sick pay is calculated
If you are unable to work for more than six weeks, your employer stops continued pay (Section 3 EFZG) and your statutory health fund pays sick pay (Krankengeld). It amounts to 70% of standard earnings, but no more than 90% of net pay (Section 47(1) SGB V). Standard earnings are the gross pay of the last settled month divided by 30, plus one three-hundred-and-sixtieth of one-off payments in the last twelve months.
Standard earnings only count up to the health insurance contribution ceiling – €69,750 per year or €193.75 per day in 2026 (Section 47(6) SGB V). Your shares of pension, unemployment and long-term care insurance are deducted, calculated on 80% of standard earnings. You pay no health insurance contributions during this time (Section 224 SGB V).
Three limits – the lowest applies
- 170% of standard earningsThe basic rule. It applies when your net pay is high relative to gross, for example on a low wage.
- 290% of net payThe upper limit for most employees. One-off payments count at the net ratio of your regular pay.
- 3Net pay from regular earningsSick pay may never exceed your net pay without one-off payments.
- 4Contribution ceilingStandard earnings above €193.75 per day do not count – this sets the maximum sick pay.
Worked examples 2026
Both examples: no children, age 35, no one-off payments. Monthly values based on 30 days.
- Standard earnings per day (€3,000 ÷ 30)
- €100.00
- 70% of standard earnings
- €70.00
- 90% of net pay per day (upper limit)
- €60.00
- Gross sick pay per day
- €60.00
- After pension, unemployment and long-term care contributions
- €49.60
- Net sick pay per month
- €1,488.00
- Standard earnings per day (capped)
- €193.75
- Gross sick pay per day (70%)
- €135.63
- After pension, unemployment and long-term care contributions
- €115.47
- Net sick pay per month
- €3,464.10
When and for how long sick pay is paid
The entitlement starts when a doctor certifies your incapacity to work (Section 46 SGB V); it is suspended while your employer continues to pay you (Section 49 SGB V). For the same illness, sick pay is paid for no more than 78 weeks within three years (Section 48 SGB V), including the six weeks of continued pay.
Sick pay is tax-free (Section 3 no. 1 EStG) but subject to the progression clause (Section 32b EStG): it raises the tax rate on your other income. With more than €410 sick pay in a year, filing a tax return is mandatory (Section 46 EStG). How much wage tax applies to your salary is shown by the wage tax calculator.
Frequently asked questions about sick pay
Amount, duration, deductions and tax
How much is German sick pay?
70% of gross pay, at most 90% of net pay (Section 47 SGB V). Pension, unemployment and long-term care contributions are deducted. With €3,000 gross and €2,000 net, that is €60.00 gross and €49.60 net per day – €1,488 per month.
What is the maximum sick pay in 2026?
Standard earnings count up to the contribution ceiling of €193.75 per day (€69,750 per year). 70% of that gives €135.63 gross sick pay per day.
When do I get sick pay?
For the first six weeks your employer continues to pay your wage. From the seventh week of the same incapacity, your health fund pays sick pay, provided a doctor certifies the incapacity without gaps.
How long do I get sick pay?
For the same illness at most 78 weeks within three years, counted from the start of the incapacity. The six weeks of continued pay count towards this, so sick pay runs for up to 72 weeks.
What is deducted from sick pay?
Pension, unemployment and long-term care insurance, each half of the contribution on 80% of standard earnings; you pay the long-term care surcharge for childless people alone. No health insurance contributions and no wage tax are due.
Do I have to pay tax on sick pay?
No, sick pay is tax-free. It is, however, subject to the progression clause and raises the tax rate on your other income. With more than €410 sick pay in a year you must file a tax return.
Do Christmas and holiday bonuses count?
Yes. One-off payments subject to contributions in the last twelve months increase standard earnings by one three-hundred-and-sixtieth (Section 47(2) SGB V). Enter the total under "One-off payments and age".