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Fell ill during your vacation? You get those days back

Finally on vacation, and then you get sick. Annoying, but at least the vacation days are not lost: sick days during vacation do not count as vacation if you prove them correctly.

Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:

Have your vacation days credited back

Your chances of getting your money back

If you fall ill during your vacation, the sick days proven by a medical certificate are not counted against your annual leave (§ 9 BUrlG). So these days are credited back to you.
Important: as with any illness, you must report sick without delay and provide a certificate of incapacity for work (special proof requirements apply abroad). Extending your vacation on your own initiative is not allowed.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Report sick immediately

    Report sick to your employer without delay, even while on vacation.

  2. 2

    2. Get a certificate of incapacity

    Have your incapacity for work certified by a doctor (abroad, by a local doctor).

  3. 3

    3. Have the days credited back

    Submit the certificate and request that the sick days be credited to your vacation account.

  4. 4

    4. Do not extend on your own

    You may not simply add on the credited days; take them again later.

Frequently asked questions

Do I get vacation days back if I fall ill during my vacation?

Yes. Under § 9 BUrlG, the sick days proven by a medical certificate are not counted against your annual leave; they are credited back to you. The condition is that you report sick without delay and provide a certificate of incapacity for work.

What do I have to keep in mind if I fall ill abroad?

Even then you must report sick without delay and prove your incapacity for work through a local doctor. Keep the certificate safe and, if necessary, inform your health insurer. You may not extend your vacation on your own because of the illness; take the credited days again later.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.