Sick leave guides

Find answers about medical assessment, notifying your employer and the steps involved in our private video consultation service in Germany.

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  Work and law

  Is a sick note issued by video valid in Germany?

  Find out when a video sick note can be issued in Germany, how private PDF certificates differ from eAU, and why acceptance cannot be guaranteed in each case.

  6 min readRead more

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  How it works

  How do you get an online sick note in Germany?

  Learn how our online sick note process works: prepare your device, reserve the consultation fee, speak to a doctor and get your PDF if incapacity is confirmed.

  6 min readRead more

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  Work and law

  How should you notify your employer about sick leave?

  Sickness notification in Germany: tell your employer promptly, check medical evidence deadlines and submit your private PDF through the correct channel.

  7 min readRead more

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  Timing

  Can your employer require a sick note from the first day?

  Your employer can require a sick note from the first day in Germany. Learn how to organise timely notification, medical assessment and submission of your PDF.

  7 min readRead more

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  Timing

  How can you get a sick note at weekends or on holidays?

  Read how weekends and public holidays count towards a sick note, which consultation surcharges may apply and where to seek urgent medical help in Germany.

  7 min readRead more

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  Symptoms

  Can you get a sick note for a cold by video?

  Learn what to describe during a video consultation for a cold, how work duties affect assessment and when to seek help. Our certificates cover up to three days.

  7 min readRead more

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  Symptoms

  Can stomach and bowel symptoms justify a sick note?

  Prepare for video assessment of diarrhoea or vomiting: describe symptoms, work limitations and their course. Learn when further or urgent care is needed.

  7 min readRead more

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  Symptoms

  How is a sick note for migraine assessed by video?

  Describe migraine or headache symptoms and their impact on your work during video assessment. Read about our three-day limit and when immediate help is needed.

  7 min readRead more

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  Symptoms

  How is a sick note for back pain assessed?

  Explain back pain and the demands of your job during a video consultation. Learn the limits of remote assessment and when an examination in person is needed.

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  Timing

  Backdated sick note: up to three days after medical assessment

  A backdated sick note may start up to three days before your consultation after medical assessment. Learn the limits, weekend examples and employer duties.

  6 min readRead more

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  Costs

  What does a private video consultation for a sick note cost?

  Check the €10.72 base fee, €21.44 total with visual examination and possible time-related surcharges. The consultation is payable even without a certificate.

  7 min readRead more

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  Certificate

  What is the difference between eAU and a PDF sick note?

  Compare electronic sick leave reporting and a private PDF certificate in Germany. Learn what your employer receives and how to submit the document yourself.

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The certificate normally starts on the consultation date if the medical assessment confirms incapacity for work. Backdating requires a careful medical assessment and this service limits it to three days. A plausible account alone does not establish entitlement; the doctor must assess the individual clinical findings. Certificates cover at most three calendar days in total, including any days before the consultation. This service does not extend existing certificates; contact a medical practice if further assessment is needed. Contact us on the first day of illness where possible and describe your symptoms truthfully.