Wegweiser Parents & Families · Rights and benefits for your child Deutsch

🤒 Child sick days and child sickness benefit

2026: 15 working days per parent and child, single parents 30. Sickness benefit 90 percent.

child sick days child sickness benefit sick child § 45 SGB V single parents time off work

In brief

Your child is ill and needs you? Then you can stay at home and receive child sickness benefit (Kinderkrankengeld).

The child must be covered by statutory health insurance and under 12 years old. For a child with a disability who needs help, the age limit does not apply.

In 2026 there are 15 working days per child and parent. Single parents have 30 days. With several children it is at most 35 days per parent (70 days for single parents).

Child sickness benefit is 90 percent of the net pay lost.

Step by step

  1. DoctorAsk the doctor for a certificate of the illness and the need for care.
  2. Inform your employerReport your absence immediately.
  3. Health insurerApply for child sickness benefit from your health insurer (Krankenkasse).

Deadlines

15 / 30 working days
per child and calendar year 2026: parent / single parent (only in calendar year 2026)§ 45 Abs. 2a SGB V
35 / 70 working days
Maximum with several children in 2026§ 45 Abs. 2a SGB V
10 / 20 working days
Standard value per child (at most 25 / 50 in total); applies again from 1 January 2027 unless an extension of the special rule is adopted (not documented)§ 45 Abs. 2 SGB V
Watch out – common mistakes
  • The 15/30 days apply only to calendar year 2026 (Gesetz zur Befugniserweiterung und Entbürokratisierung in der Pflege of 22 December 2025, BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 371). As of 20 September 2026 there is no rule for 2027; then 10/20 days per child apply again, at most 25/50.
  • Further conditions of the entitlement (for example, that no other person in the household can look after the child) can be read in the law.
  • Whether your employer grants paid time off (for example under a collective agreement) must be checked separately.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Legal basis

§ 45 Abs. 1 SGB V: Insured persons are entitled to sickness benefit (Krankengeld) for supervising, caring for or nursing their sick and insured child, if the child has not yet completed its twelfth year or is disabled and dependent on help. Abs. 1a regulates accompanying a child during inpatient treatment (one parent).

Scope

Standard case (Abs. 2): per calendar year and child at most 10 working days, single parents 20; in total at most 25, single parents 50. Sickness benefit is 90 percent of the net pay lost. Abs. 2a (special rule "in the calendar year 2026"): 15 working days per child, single parents 30; in total 35 or 70. From 2027 the standard case of 10/20 (25/50) applies again, unless the legislature decides otherwise.

Privately insured people, carrying over of days and continued payment of wages are not covered here.

Who is responsible
  • Krankenkasse (health insurer)
  • Employer (time off work)
Further reading
Daycare, childminders and all-day care at primary school ageOverview: rights and benefits for families

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Child sick days and child sickness benefit“?
2026: 15 working days per parent and child, single parents 30. Sickness benefit 90 percent.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • 15 / 30 working days: per child and calendar year 2026: parent / single parent (only in calendar year 2026) (§ 45 Abs. 2a SGB V)
  • 35 / 70 working days: Maximum with several children in 2026 (§ 45 Abs. 2a SGB V)
  • 10 / 20 working days: Standard value per child (at most 25 / 50 in total); applies again from 1 January 2027 unless an extension of the special rule is adopted (not documented) (§ 45 Abs. 2 SGB V)
What should I do first?
  • Doctor: Ask the doctor for a certificate of the illness and the need for care.
  • Inform your employer: Report your absence immediately.
  • Health insurer: Apply for child sickness benefit from your health insurer (Krankenkasse).
What do I need to watch out for?
  • The 15/30 days apply only to calendar year 2026 (Gesetz zur Befugniserweiterung und Entbürokratisierung in der Pflege of 22 December 2025, BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 371). As of 20 September 2026 there is no rule for 2027; then 10/20 days per child apply again, at most 25/50.
  • Further conditions of the entitlement (for example, that no other person in the household can look after the child) can be read in the law.
  • Whether your employer grants paid time off (for example under a collective agreement) must be checked separately.
Evidence
  • Gesetze im Internet, § 45 SGB V, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Gesetz zur Befugniserweiterung und Entbürokratisierung in der Pflege of 22 December 2025 (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 371), amendment of § 45 Abs. 2a SGB V, retrieved 20 September 2026
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

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