If you work as a freelancer or self-employed, you do not receive a salary when you are ill. Daily sickness benefit insurance (Krankentagegeldversicherung) is designed to close that gap. A central point is the waiting period, known in German as Karenzzeit. It determines from which day of illness the policy pays, and therefore how much income you must bridge yourself.
Short answer: The Karenzzeit is the period between the start of your incapacity for work and the start of benefits. A German health insurance portal names the 15th, 22nd, 29th or 43rd day as possible start points. The longer the waiting period, the lower the premium. The exact rule is set out in the individual tariff. The start days are not statutory requirements but tariff offers according to the portal. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points at a glance
- The waiting period determines when daily sickness benefit starts and has a major effect on the premium.
- A longer waiting period lowers the premium but requires more of your own financial reserve.
- The daily rate is fixed when the contract is taken out and then applies.
- Together with other sickness benefits, the payment may not exceed your insurable net income.
- The waiting period is set in the tariff, not by a general rule, so compare the terms.
What the waiting period means for daily sickness benefit
Daily sickness benefit is a private supplementary insurance. It does not pay from the first day of illness but only after the agreed waiting period. During that time you must cover the loss of income from your own funds or from other protection. That is why the start day of benefits is central to the decision.
Choosing the waiting period means weighing premium against liquidity. An early start is more expensive, because the insurer’s risk begins sooner. A later start is cheaper, but it assumes that you can bridge the period financially.
Which waiting period fits which calculation
The table below summarises the relationships. Actual premiums depend on age, state of health, occupation and the daily rate, and can only be determined in an offer.
| Waiting period (start day) | Effect on premium | Own bridging needed |
|---|---|---|
| 15th day | Higher premium | Roughly two weeks of lost income to cover yourself |
| 22nd day | Medium premium | Roughly three weeks to cover yourself |
| 29th day | Lower premium | Roughly four weeks to cover yourself |
| 43rd day | Lowest of the listed premiums | Roughly six weeks to cover yourself |
The table uses the start days named by the portal. The week figures are a conversion of days and are not tariff values.
Worked example: what a waiting period changes
Assumption: you are unable to work for six weeks, which is 42 calendar days. Your tariff pays 100 euros per day and starts after a waiting period ending on the 22nd day. Benefits then cover days 22 to 42, which is 21 days, giving 2,100 euros. If benefits only start on day 43, nothing is paid in the same case. Whether a tariff counts calendar days or working days is set out in its terms and changes the result.
The last point deserves a check. A waiting period that looks cheap on paper can leave a gap in an emergency if the counting method is different from what you expected.
Why freelancers should look more closely
Freelancers often have irregular income. In busy months the reserve may be large, in quieter months small. A long waiting period therefore only makes sense if you can genuinely bridge the gap. Work out your minimum income before you choose a start day.
Statutory sickness benefit for self-employed people is a further factor. According to the portal mentioned, statutory sickness benefit for self-employed people can start from day 43, unless an optional tariff provides for an earlier start. Check with your health insurer whether and when this protection applies to you. The statutory rules on sickness benefit are in Book V of the Social Code (SGB V); the portal is not a binding source for them. Daily sickness benefit insurance can close the gap.
If you already hold a policy, compare the waiting period with your current income regularly. If your income changes significantly, a different waiting period may make more sense. More on tariff choice is in the guide on daily sickness benefit for working students and self-employed people.
How a claim works in practice
The waiting period usually starts with the first day of incapacity for work certified by your treating professional; the exact way of counting is set out in the tariff. From then on the agreed period runs, regardless of whether you could already work again. Tariffs usually require you to report the insured event within a set deadline and to submit medical certificates. Missed deadlines can cost benefits, so learn the reporting duties before you need them.
Also important is how a tariff treats several illnesses in succession. Some terms combine short interruptions into a single case, while others count each illness anew. This rule decides whether you must bear a new waiting period. Read the passage on interruptions and recurrence carefully before you commit.
Many freelancers know the problem: a loss of two or three weeks is hard to plan for but noticeable financially. A short waiting period covers that phase better but costs more premium. A long waiting period saves premium but requires a reserve that is actually available when needed. Check whether your account and reserves can truly carry the gap.
A simple calculation helps. Note your monthly fixed costs, taxes and social contributions, convert them into days and compare the result with the waiting period in the offer. This shows which start days fit your liquidity, without focusing on a single premium figure. This step does not replace advice, but it gives clarity about numbers you would otherwise only estimate. If questions remain, the contract documents or a written enquiry to the provider will help.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is the waiting period?
The waiting period is the time between the start of incapacity for work and the first day on which the policy pays. It is set in the contract. No daily sickness benefit is paid during that time.
Does the waiting period shorten if I am ill for longer?
No. The waiting period applies to each case of illness under the terms of your tariff. Whether a new illness triggers a new waiting period depends on the contract wording, which you should read in the tariff.
Does my state of health affect the premium?
Yes. According to the portal, age, state of health, occupation, the daily rate and the chosen start of benefits all play a role in the cost. Higher daily rates and earlier start days generally raise the premium.
Can I increase the daily rate later?
According to the portal, the daily rate is fixed when the contract is taken out. Whether and how it can be adjusted later is governed by the tariff. Ask specifically before you sign.
Is this insurance worth having alongside disability insurance?
Both cover different risks. Daily sickness benefit bridges shorter absences, while disability insurance covers lasting occupational disability. Which priority makes sense depends on your situation. An overview is in the guide on disability insurance for self-employed people and freelancers.
What to do next
- Work out your minimum income and the reserve you can use for the waiting period.
- Compare at least two waiting periods in the offer, not only the premium.
- Check the counting method for days, the daily rate and the rules on adjustment in the tariff.
- Have the terms explained in writing before you sign.
Related reading
- How do I protect my ability to work? The overview for new graduates
- Daily sickness benefit for working students and self-employed people
- Disability insurance for self-employed people and freelancers: what is different
- Pausing or lowering BU premiums: options when money is tight
- Sickness benefit after 78 weeks: when the income gap arises
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
