Overview
- Employees receive continued pay from the employer for up to six weeks, and if illness overlaps a notice period, wages are paid until the job ends before statutory sick pay takes over seamlessly.
- Which side gives notice does not affect the right to benefits, as sick pay is provided by the statutory health insurer rather than the employer.
- Sick pay generally equals 70% of regular gross earnings up to the benefit cap and no more than 90% of the last net wage.
- Payments are limited to a maximum of 78 weeks within three years for the same illness, with the daily cap rising to €128.63 in 2025.
- Recent guidance stresses that doctors must state a clear inability to perform the specific job and document it without gaps, since vague wording can trigger benefit stoppages that may require formal clarifications or appeals.