Child Sick Days 2026: Entitlement, Application and Child Sickness Benefit
Last updated: January 2026. Since 2026, Germany has permanently granted 15 child sick days per parent and child — 30 days for single parents. During this time, the Kinderkrankengeld (child sickness benefit) replaces 90% of net earnings, paid by the statutory health insurer. The COVID-related special quotas ended in 2024; the current arrangement makes the pre-pandemic level permanent, on a higher base.
At a Glance
- Entitlement per parent: 15 working days per child per year
- Single parents: 30 working days per child
- Cap per parent: 35 days a year (with several children)
- Cap for single parents: 70 days a year
- Amount of child sickness benefit: 90% of the net earnings lost (max. 70% of the contribution assessment ceiling)
- Application: a medical certificate ("certificate for the receipt of sickness benefit when a child is ill") + submission to the employer + the health insurer
- Condition: a child under 12 covered by statutory health insurance, with no other person in the household available
- Last updated: January 2026
Who Is Entitled?
Entitlement to time off and child sickness benefit under § 45 SGB V (the Social Code, Book V) rests with statutorily insured parents whose child is also covered by statutory health insurance and has not yet turned 12. For disabled children the age limit falls away if they depend on help. Both parents need a sickness benefit entitlement — so for the self-employed, the optional tariff; for civil servants, civil-service law applies instead (special leave without sickness benefit, but with continued pay).
A further condition is that no other person living in the household can take over the care — for example grandparents in the same household, or an unemployed partner. Babysitters, childminders or external grandparents do not count as "available". The care must be medically necessary, which the paediatrician documents on the relevant certificate.
How Many Days Am I Entitled To?
The entitlement depends on the number of children and marital status:
| Situation | Per child | Maximum per year |
|---|---|---|
| Married/cohabiting, 1 child | 15 days per parent | 30 days total (15+15) |
| Married/cohabiting, 2 children | 15 days per parent per child | 35 days per parent (cap) |
| Married/cohabiting, 3+ children | 15 days per parent per child | 35 days per parent (cap) |
| Single parent, 1 child | 30 days | 30 days |
| Single parent, 2 children | 30 days per child | 60 days |
| Single parent, 3+ children | 30 days per child | 70 days (cap) |
The days apply per calendar year and cannot be carried over to the following year. Both parents can transfer days to one another if the employer of the parent giving them up agrees. This is especially useful when one parent is harder to spare due to a key position, or has already used up many days.
The Amount of Child Sickness Benefit
Child sickness benefit is 90% of the net earnings lost. Anyone who received a one-off payment in the last 12 months (Christmas or holiday bonus) gets 100% — capped at 70% of the contribution assessment ceiling in health insurance (2026: around €128.63/day gross child sickness benefit, corresponding to a max. of approx. €3,860/month).
Worked example
Net salary €2,500/month → €83.33 per calendar day. Child sickness benefit 90% = €75/calendar day. With 5 lost working days you receive approx. €75 × 7 = €525 gross child sickness benefit (the health insurer pays for calendar days, not working days — so the weekend counts too). Social contributions are deducted pro rata (long-term care and pension insurance); income tax does not directly apply, but the progression proviso (Progressionsvorbehalt) does.
How to Apply for Child Sick Days
Step by step:
- At the doctor: ask for the "medical certificate for the receipt of sickness benefit when a child is ill" — a separate form (Muster 21), not the normal sickness-absence certificate.
- At the employer: hand over the certificate on the first day of absence (a phone call to notify them is enough at first). The employer does not continue to pay you — the continued wage payment is suspended and the health insurer takes over with the child sickness benefit.
- At the health insurer: submit the certificate together with your bank details (post, fax or app). Payment is made within 1–2 weeks.
- Proof of single-parent status (if applicable): the single-parent relief notice or a registration certificate from the authority, submitted once.
You can have the certificate issued from the first day of illness — unlike with your own sickness absence, there is no 3-day waiting period.
Three Example Cases
Family A — Two parents, one kindergarten child
The Vogel family, daughter Hanna (age 4) at kindergarten. In February Hanna had 8 days of gastroenteritis, in April 5 days of a middle-ear infection, in October 7 days of bronchitis. In total 20 days of illness. The split: the mother took 12 days (February 8 + October 4), the father 8 days (April 5 + October 3). Both stay under the quota of 15 days. The mother's child sickness benefit: 12 × 90% of €2,300 net/30 days = approx. €828.
Family B — A single parent with two school-age children
Ms Lange, a single parent, sons Jonas (7) and Felix (10). Jonas: 18 days of illness in 2026. Felix: 9 days of illness. Entitlement: 30 days per child, capped at 70 in total. Used: 27 days — fully covered. Child sickness benefit at €1,900 net/30 days = €63.33/day × 90% × 37 calendar days (incl. weekends pro rata) = approx. €2,110.
Family C — Transferring days
The Roth family, three children (3, 6, 9). The father (a pilot, hard to spare) used all 15 days per child in the summer — the mother (a teacher, on holiday in the summer) needs extra days in November. They transfer 5 of the father's days to the mother with both employers' consent. Condition: a written declaration to the health insurer that the parent giving up the days waives them.
Special Cases
- Privately insured parents: no entitlement to statutory child sickness benefit; it depends on the daily sickness allowance tariff. Anyone without a daily sickness allowance takes unpaid leave.
- Civil servants: special leave on full pay under § 12 SUrlV (federal) or state rules — usually 4 days per child, max. 12 days/year; more for single parents.
- The self-employed with an optional sickness benefit tariff: entitlement under the terms of the tariff, often 10 days/child.
- Critically ill children: unlimited child sickness benefit under § 45 (4) SGB V, where a doctor certifies the child has only a few months left to live.
Important: The Difference from Your Own Illness
Child sick days are not counted against your own sick record. They are a separate entitlement — the employer may not issue a warning when you use them, and protection against dismissal is preserved. The health insurer pays directly to you, without social insurance contributions being deducted in the classic sense (long-term care and pension insurance continue pro rata).
Avoiding Common Mistakes
- Mistake 1: a normal sickness-absence certificate instead of Muster 21 from the doctor. Only Muster 21 triggers child sickness benefit.
- Mistake 2: not reporting the days. Even if you receive continued pay as a goodwill gesture — without notifying the health insurer, the entitlement lapses.
- Mistake 3: a transfer without written form. Verbal arrangements with the employer are not enough.
- Mistake 4: the child's age exceeded. From the 12th birthday the entitlement falls away — exception: disabled children needing assistance.
Worked Example: The Yilmaz Family in Berlin
Aylin and Mehmet Yilmaz both work in Berlin: she as a nurse (full-time, €3,400 gross), he as an IT administrator (full-time, €4,100 gross). Their two children, Leyla (3) and Emir (6), attend daycare and primary school. In February 2026 the family is hit hard: first a gastroenteritis virus with Leyla (4 days), then RSV with Emir (6 days), and finally conjunctivitis again with Leyla (3 days).
In total 13 days of illness arise. The statutory rule allows each parent 15 working days per child per calendar year, or 30 for single parents. The Yilmaz parents split the days: Aylin takes 8 days (5 for Emir, 3 for Leyla), Mehmet 5 days (4 for Leyla, 1 for Emir). Both submit the Muster 21 from the paediatrician and the employer's certificate to their AOK (health insurer).
Calculating the child sickness benefit: Aylin has a net income of around €2,260/month, which corresponds to a daily net of €75.33. The AOK pays 90% of the net — so €67.80 per day, multiplied by 8 days gives €542 gross. Mehmet is at about €2,620/month net (€87.33/day), 90% of which is €78.60 — times 5 days equals €393. Both amounts are subject to the progression proviso on the tax return.
Were Aylin a single parent, she could have claimed all 13 days herself — the entitlement of 30 days per child with two children (so up to 60 days) would be far from exhausted. The rule also applies to people who pay their own contributions under compulsory statutory insurance, provided a sickness benefit entitlement was chosen — with family insurance through the partner the entitlement falls away.
Common Misunderstandings About Child Sickness Benefit
- "My employer has to keep paying my wage": not necessarily. § 616 BGB only applies for a "comparatively insignificant time" and can be excluded by a collective agreement or the employment contract. The health-insurer benefit under SGB V is therefore the safe option.
- "Privately insured people get no child sickness benefit": correct only for classic full private health insurance without a corresponding daily sickness allowance option. Anyone who chose the tariff receives benefits under their individual contract terms.
- "The days apply per illness": false. The 15 working days apply per child per year, regardless of the number of illness episodes. A maximum of 35 days per parent with several children, 70 for single parents.
- "Grandparents or an aunt can have days transferred to them": no, days can only be transferred from the other biological parent. Step-parents and relatives do not fall under the care leave of § 45 SGB V.
- "After the 12th birthday every entitlement lapses": true for healthy children. For disabled children with a permanent care need, the entitlement exists with no age limit — what is decisive is the medically certified need for assistance.
Next Steps
- Calculate your child sickness benefit with the child sickness benefit calculator.
- Check your entitlement to the single-parent relief amount.
- Learn more about all family benefits for single parents.
- Read about combining with Elterngeld for a sibling.
Sources
- SGB V § 45 (child sickness benefit): gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_5
- GKV-Spitzenverband (the national association of statutory health insurers): gkv-spitzenverband.de
- Familienportal of the BMFSFJ (Federal Family Ministry): familienportal.de
- Federal Ministry for Family Affairs: bmfsfj.de
- Federal Employment Agency (social benefits): arbeitsagentur.de
Note (YMYL disclaimer): As of January 2026 | non-binding estimate. This content is no substitute for individual advice from your health insurer or a lawyer for social or employment law. The specific amount of child sickness benefit is determined by your health insurer based on your individual contribution basis.