Sick Leave in Austria: Continued Remuneration (Entgeltfortzahlung) Explained

Austria’s sick leave law requires employers to pay continued remuneration (Entgeltfortzahlung) at full salary for the first 6 weeks of illness, after which the social insurance institution (Sozialversicherung) pays Krankengeld (sickness benefit) at a reduced rate. The system is governed by the Angestelltengesetz (Employees’ Act) and the ASVG (General Social Insurance Act).

Key Takeaways

• Employers must pay full salary for at least 6 weeks under the Angestelltengesetz
• After 6 weeks, the Sozialversicherung pays Krankengeld at 50% of the assessment base
• A medical certificate is required from the first day of absence for employees covered by collective agreements
• Krankengeld is capped at 50% of the maximum social insurance assessment base
• The 6-week period resets after 6 months of uninterrupted work following the previous illness

Austria’s Sick Leave Entitlement

Austria’s sick leave system is split between employer and social insurance. Under the Angestelltengesetz (AngG), employees are entitled to continued remuneration (Entgeltfortzahlung) during illness for an initial period that depends on the length of employment:

• First year: 6 weeks at full pay
• From the second year: 12 weeks at full pay
• From the third year: Full pay for the duration of the illness (limited to the current calendar quarter plus 3 additional months)

After the employer’s paid period ends, the employee receives Krankengeld from the social insurance institution (Sozialversicherungsanstalt der Selbständigen or the relevant health insurance fund).

Who Pays for Sick Leave?

Period	Pay Rate	Who Pays
Employer period (6–12+ weeks)	100% of salary	Employer
Krankengeld (after employer period)	50% of assessment base	Social insurance
Employer top-up possible	Varies by collective agreement	Employer

The social insurance Krankengeld is significantly lower than the employee’s normal salary. Many collective agreements require the employer to top up the difference for a period beyond the statutory minimum.

Sick Leave Pay Rates

Period	Pay Rate	Source
Employer period (6 weeks year 1)	100% of salary	Angestelltengesetz
Employer period (12 weeks year 2+)	100% of salary	Angestelltengesetz
Krankengeld (after employer period)	50% of assessment base (max approx. €5,370/month in 2025)	ASVG

The maximum daily Krankengeld in 2025 was approximately €179 (50% of the maximum daily assessment base of €358). The assessment base is capped at the social insurance contribution ceiling.

Medical Certificate Requirements

Austria has detailed medical certificate requirements:

• Days 1–3: Self-certification (Arbeitsunfähigkeitszeugnis) may be accepted under collective agreements, but many require a certificate from day 1
• From day 4: A medical certificate from a doctor is mandatory in most cases
• For Krankengeld claims: A separate certificate (Krankenstandsmeldung) must be filed with the social insurance institution

The certificate must specify the expected duration of absence and the nature of the illness (without revealing the diagnosis to the employer in most cases).

How to Calculate Sick Pay in Austria

Example: An employee earning €3,500/month is off sick for 10 weeks.

1. Employer period (6 weeks): €3,500
2. Krankengeld (4 weeks): 50% of assessment base
3. Monthly Krankengeld: approx. €2,685 (50% of €5,370 max)
4. Weekly Krankengeld: approx. €671
5. Krankengeld for 4 weeks: approx. €2,685

Total paid to employee: €3,500 (employer, 6 weeks) + €2,685 (Sozialversicherung, 4 weeks) = €6,185

The 6-Month Reset Rule

The employer’s paid period resets after 6 months of uninterrupted work following the previous illness. This means:

• An employee who returns from sick leave and works for 6+ months gets a fresh 6-week (or 12-week) entitlement
• If the employee falls ill again within 6 months, the remaining days of the previous employer period may apply
• The reset does not affect Krankengeld entitlements, which are calculated independently

Employer Obligations and Penalties

Austrian employers must:

• Pay continued remuneration during the employer period
• Obtain and maintain medical certificates
• Report sick leave to the social insurance institution
• File the Krankenstandsmeldung for Krankengeld claims
• Cooperate with rehabilitation and return-to-work programs
• Maintain records for at least 10 years

Non-compliance can result in fines from the labour inspectorate (Arbeitsinspektorat) and potential claims from employees or social insurance institutions.

Comparison With Other Countries

Country	Sick Days	Pay	Certificate Required
Austria	6–12+ weeks employer + Krankengeld	100% employer / 50% social insurance	Day 1 (or day 4 under some agreements)
UK	28 weeks SSP	£116.75/week	Day 7
Australia	10 days personal/carer’s leave	Full rate	2+ consecutive days
US	Varies by state	Varies	Employer policy

FAQ

How long does Krankengeld last in Austria?

Krankengeld is paid for the duration of the illness, but there is a maximum period. After 26 weeks of continuous Krankengeld, the social insurance institution reassesses the employee’s entitlement. In practice, Krankengeld can continue for up to 78 weeks (26 weeks initial + 52 weeks extended), subject to ongoing medical assessment.

Can the employer’s paid period be longer than the statutory minimum?

Yes, through collective agreements. Many Austrian collective agreements extend the employer’s paid period beyond the statutory minimum. For example, some agreements provide 8 or 12 weeks of full pay from the first year. The specific terms depend on the applicable collective agreement.

What happens if the employee’s salary exceeds the Krankengeld cap?

If the employee’s salary exceeds the social insurance assessment base, Krankengeld is calculated only on the capped amount. The employee receives 50% of the capped assessment base, which may be significantly less than their normal salary. The employer can voluntarily top up the difference, and some collective agreements require this.