Applying for sick pay and time off work when your child is ill

As long as you receive sick pay, you are entitled to unpaid leave from work from your employer.

For the calculation of the sickness benefit, the competent body will take the pay lost during the leave of absence into account.

Amount: 70 per cent of gross pay, but no more than 90 per cent of net pay

If one-off payments subject to contributions (e.g. holiday or Christmas bonuses) were received in the 12 months prior to the leave of absence, the sickness benefit amounts to 100 per cent of the net pay lost during the leave of absence, regardless of the amount of the one-off payments. The maximum daily sick pay for children in 2025 is EUR 128.63 (less the insured person's share of social security contributions). The daily sickness benefit may not exceed 70 per cent of the daily contribution assessment ceiling for health insurance.

If the sickness benefit is calculated from earned income (the profit from self-employment determined in accordance with the general profit calculation regulations of income tax law), this amounts to 70 per cent of the regular earned income, insofar as it is subject to the contribution calculation.

You are entitled to exemption per calendar year:

• Parent couples 15 days per parent and child
• Single parents 30 days per child
• Couples and single parents with two children can apply for a maximum of 60 days
• Couples and single parents with three or more children can claim a maximum of 70 days

Child sickness benefit is available for every child under the age of 12 who is covered by statutory health insurance. There is a special regulation for the care and nursing of seriously and terminally ill children. In this case, the entitlement to sickness benefit is not limited in time, but only exists for one parent. Ask your health insurance fund for advice.

Tip: Many collective labour agreements contain supplementary regulations on time off and continued payment of salary when a child is ill. Ask your trade union about the regulations that apply to you.

Attention: A special regulation has also been created for federal civil servants for 2024 and 2025. Accordingly, the duration of the special leave granted in the event of medically certified illness and medical certification of the need to care for, supervise or look after a child of the civil servant who is not yet twelve years old or a disabled child who is dependent on assistance is a maximum of 13 working days in the leave year, and a maximum of 30 working days for all children together. In the case of civil servants who are single parents, a maximum of 26 working days per year is granted for each child and a maximum of 60 working days for all children together. The state authorities determine the regulations for state civil servants.