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

As long as you are receiving sickness benefit, you are entitled to unpaid leave from work from your employer.

To calculate your sick pay, the relevant authority uses the wages you would have earned during the period of leave.

Amount: 70 per cent of gross pay, but not exceeding 90 per cent of net pay

If you received one-off payments subject to social security contributions – such as holiday pay or a Christmas bonus – in the 12 months prior to the leave, your sickness benefit will amount to 100 per cent of the net pay lost during the leave, regardless of the amount of the one-off payments. The maximum child sickness benefit in 2026 is EUR 135.63 per day, less the insured person’s share of social security contributions. The sickness benefit per calendar day must not exceed 70 per cent of the daily contribution assessment ceiling for health insurance.

If the sickness benefit is calculated on the basis of earned income – that is, the profit from self-employment determined in accordance with the general profit-assessment provisions of income tax law – it amounts to 70 per cent of the regular earned income received, insofar as this is subject to the contribution calculation.

You are entitled to sick leave per calendar year:

• Parents: 15 days per parent per child
• Single parents: 30 days per child
• Couples and single parents with two children may claim a maximum of 60 days
• Couples and single parents with three or more children may claim a maximum of 70 days

Child sickness benefit is available for every child covered by statutory health insurance who is under 12 years of age. There is a special provisionfor the care and nursing of seriously and terminally ill children. In this case, entitlement to sickness benefit is not time-limited, but applies to only one parent. Seek advice from your health insurance provider.

Tip: Many collective agreements contain supplementary provisions on time off work and continued pay in the event of a child’s illness. Check with the relevant trade union to find out which provisions apply to you.

Please note: A special provision has also been introduced for federal civil servants for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026. Under these provisions, the duration of the special leave granted in the event of a medically certified illness or a medical certificate confirming the need to care for, supervision or care of a civil servant’s child who is under twelve years of age, or of a disabled child in need of assistance, is a maximum of 13 working days in the leave year, with a total maximum of 30 working days for all children combined. In the case of single-parent civil servants, a maximum of 26 working days per leave year is granted for each child; for all children combined, the maximum is 60 working days. The state authorities shall determine the regulations applicable to state civil servants.