Sick pay: a guide for the self-employed

If you are self-employed and opted for health cover with a sick pay entitlement, you will receive sick pay from us from the 43rd day of your illness. In 2026, the contribution rate for the self-employed is 17.29%. Without sick pay entitlement it is 16.69%. Both rates include the TK additional contribution rate of 2.69%.

Please note that you are bound to your choice of insurance cover, either with or without sick pay entitlement, for 3 years.

Download and complete this German-language form to secure your sick pay entitlement if you are self-employed. Should you require assistance with this form, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

TK-Wahlerklärung Krankengeld ( PDF, 608 kB)

How much sick pay will I receive if I am self-employed?

If you opted for health cover with sick pay entitlement, your daily sick pay from the 43rd day is 70% of your daily income.

This is calculated based on the income for which you paid contributions before you fell ill. The maximum daily sick pay amount is 135.63 EUR (2026). We always pay sick pay retroactively after you receive a new medical certificate or confirmed as fit to work again.

Social security contributions

As a rule, the self-employed are only required to contribute to long-term care insurance. If you were also insured with pension or unemployment insurance before your illness, you must continue to pay these contributions while receiving sick pay.

For how long will I get sick pay?

We pay sick pay for up to 78 weeks within 3 years for the same illness. After this period, you may only receive sick pay for this illness again when a new 3-year period starts, and additional conditions are met:

You have insurance cover with sick pay entitlement when you fall ill again.

You have not been able to work due to this illness for at least 6 months.

You have been employed or registered as a job seeker for at least 6 months during this time.

If you have taken out an optional plan for sick pay, the amount of time you receive sick pay depends on your plan.