Report your illness immediately if you get sick during your vacation. Have a doctor certify your inability to work. This is important so that the sick days aren’t counted as vacation days. According to Section 9 of the Federal Vacation Act, the days on which you were verifiably unable to work are not counted toward your vacation time. You can make up these vacation days later.
If you become ill while abroad, you should also see a doctor as soon as possible and have them issue a certificate of incapacity for work. A certificate of incapacity for work issued abroad generally has the same evidentiary value as one issued in Germany. However, it must clearly indicate that not only an illness but also an inability to work has been diagnosed. Since the eAU procedure (electronic certificate of incapacity for work) does not apply to cases of incapacity for work diagnosed abroad, the certificate should be sent to your employer as soon as possible—for example, by email. You should inform your employer about
- Your inability to work,
- your vacation address or place of stay, and
- the expected duration of the illness.
If employees are still unable to work due to illness upon returning to Germany, they must inform their employer and health insurance provider.
Important: Only those who submit a doctor’s note to their employer can preserve their vacation days. The days on which the employee was verifiably unable to work are not counted toward annual vacation days. Anyone who becomes ill before the start of their vacation and is unable to take it may reschedule the vacation with their employer. The vacation is considered unused.
Sick on the High Seas
More and more people are spending their vacations on cruise ships. But what happens if you get sick on the high seas? Medical treatment covered by health insurance is not available on board a cruise ship. The reason: The ship’s doctor on board a cruise ship is not a physician contracted with a health insurance provider. Anyone who receives treatment will generally receive a bill based on the fee schedule for physicians and must therefore pay out of pocket initially.
Whether health insurance coverage applies retroactively depends primarily on the flag state, the ship’s location, and the specific terms of the insurance policy. Even on the high seas, the following rule generally applies: If you are on sick leave, you are required to notify your employer as soon as possible. Any means of communication is permitted: phone, fax, email, and even text message.
Do Your Research Before Your Vacation
Depending on whether the vacation destination is an EU member state, has a social security agreement with Germany, or is a third country, different documentation requirements apply. Medical certificates from non-EU countries may also be accepted, but they must clearly document the inability to work. It is advisable to check with your health insurance provider in advance to see if there is an agreement with your vacation destination and to have an international health insurance card issued.
A medical certificate must clearly indicate that the doctor certifies not only the duration but also the inability to work—and not just the illness. Invoices for insurance purposes must be as detailed as possible and must specify the diagnosis and type of treatment.
Health Insurance Card
In the event of an accident or illness within the European Union, you generally only need to present your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Please note: As a general rule, benefits are provided only in accordance with the regulations of the country in which the patient is staying.
Any copayment is also determined by the regulations of that country and may need to be paid directly on site. If problems arise, the responsible health insurance provider in Germany is always the first point of contact. Information about your destination country is available from the German Liaison Office for Health Insurance Abroad (DVKA) and the National Contact Point for Cross-Border Healthcare.
The DVKA also offers traveler information sheets for 38 countries, which contain details about health insurance benefits. The information sheets for EU member states also include a fillable certificate for insured individuals who become unable to work due to illness while abroad and need to notify their employer.
Sick Pay: Coordinate with Your Insurance Provider
In the event of a prolonged illness, the employer is only obligated to pay wages for up to six weeks. After that, employees receive sick pay from their health insurance provider. However, anyone receiving sick pay who wishes to go on vacation must clarify this with their insurance provider if the trip is abroad. Reason: The stay abroad must not interfere with recovery. Employees should have this confirmed by a doctor. Without the health insurance provider’s approval, the entitlement to sick pay may be suspended or revoked. For trips to other EU countries, this approval is generally granted.
Request a Correction
Important: Vacation time may not simply be extended due to illness. This is only possible after consultation with your supervisor. If you become ill during your vacation, you should check with your employer upon your return to see whether the sick leave has been credited back to your time account as unused vacation time, or request a corresponding correction.
