Krankengeld

Krankengeld is the sick pay you receive from your statutory health insurance (GKV) when you are ill for longer than 6 weeks with the same condition.

For the first 6 weeks, your employer pays your full salary (Entgeltfortzahlung). After that, your health insurance takes over with Krankengeld:

• Amount: ~70% of your gross salary, capped at ~90% of your net salary
• Maximum duration: Up to 78 weeks within a 3-year period for the same illness
• Eligibility: Only for members of statutory health insurance (GKV)

If you have private health insurance (PKV), you do not receive Krankengeld — you need a separate Krankentagegeld policy.