Sick Pay (Krankengeld) Calculator Germany 2026
Rules for Germany
On a gross salary of 3,500 € a month in tax class I, sick pay is about €70.00 per day before contributions.
—
How it works
The calculator turns your monthly salary into a daily pay, finds the net pay for the same salary and takes the lower of 70 % of the daily pay and 90 % of the daily net pay. For the days you choose it then deducts your half of pension, unemployment and care insurance, which are due on 80 % of the daily pay. Health insurance costs nothing while you receive sick pay.
Formula and worked example
Sick pay per day = the lower of 70 % × daily pay and 90 % × daily net pay.
For a salary of 3,500 € a month in tax class I:
- Daily pay that counts: €116.67
- Daily net pay: €77.78
- Sick pay per day: €70.00
- Paid out for 30 days after contributions: €1,752.79
Frequently asked questions
How is sick pay calculated?
Krankengeld is 70 % of your daily gross pay, but at most 90 % of your daily net pay. Your daily pay is your monthly gross salary divided by 30, counted up to a ceiling of 193.75 € a day in 2026.
Why is it often lower than 70 % of my gross salary?
Because of the 90 % net pay limit. For most people with a typical tax and insurance load, 90 % of the net pay is below 70 % of the gross pay, so the net limit sets the benefit.
When does sick pay start and how long does it last?
Your employer normally continues to pay your salary for six weeks. Krankengeld follows from the seventh week, for the same illness at most 78 weeks within three years.
Do I pay tax and social insurance on sick pay?
Sick pay itself is tax-free, but it counts for the tax rate on your other income when you file a return. Health insurance is free; your half of pension, unemployment and care insurance is deducted from the benefit.
What is not included?
One-off payments of the last 12 months, which can raise the benefit, hourly paid and seasonal work, freelancers and sick child benefit.
Can I trust the result?
It follows the statutory formula, but your health insurance fund makes the final calculation and may round differently. Use the result as an estimate.
Sources and methodology
- § 47 SGB V — Höhe und Berechnung des Krankengeldes (70 % des Regelentgelts, höchstens 90 % des Nettos, Kalendermonat = 30 Tage, Regelentgelt bis zur kalendertäglichen Beitragsbemessungsgrenze) (accessed 2026-10-21)
- § 48 SGB V — Dauer des Krankengeldes (78 Wochen in drei Jahren) (accessed 2026-10-21)
- § 224 SGB V — Beitragsfreiheit bei Krankengeld (accessed 2026-10-21)
- § 166 (1) Nr. 2 und § 170 (1) Nr. 2 a SGB VI — Rentenversicherung auf Krankengeld (80 % des Arbeitsentgelts, Beiträge je zur Hälfte) (accessed 2026-10-21)
- § 345 Nr. 5 und § 347 Nr. 5 SGB III — Arbeitslosenversicherung auf Krankengeld (80 %, je zur Hälfte) (accessed 2026-10-21)
- § 57 (2) und § 59 (2) SGB XI — Pflegeversicherung auf Krankengeld (80 %, je zur Hälfte) (accessed 2026-10-21)
- § 3 EStG Nr. 1 a und § 32b EStG — Krankengeld steuerfrei, Progressionsvorbehalt (accessed 2026-10-21)
- SVBezGrV 2026 — Beitragsbemessungsgrenze Kranken- und Pflegeversicherung 69.750 € im Jahr (accessed 2026-10-21)
Last updated 2026-10-21. Calculator version 1.0.0.Read how we calculate for our verification process.
Results are estimates for information only and are not financial, tax or legal advice.