Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung

Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung (AU) is a medical certificate issued by a physician that confirms an employee in Germany is unable to work due to illness or injury. It serves as official proof for the employer and for the statutory health insurance system that the person is on sick leave and may affect wage continuation and sickness benefits.

The AU is issued after examination and specifies the period during which the employee is considered incapable of work. The certificate records the start and end dates of the incapacity. In practice, the patient typically receives a copy, while the employer uses the information to administer Entgeltfortzahlung im Krankheitsfall (continued wage payment) for a defined period, usually up to six weeks. If illness continues beyond that, statutory health insurance may pay Krankengeld.

Privacy and contents: The form may indicate that the person is unable to work, and it may or may not include a medical diagnosis. German privacy rules generally restrict sharing detailed medical information with the employer, so the exact condition is usually provided only to the health insurance or kept confidential by the doctor, depending on legal requirements and patient consent.

Electronic AU: In Germany, the Elektronische Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung (eAU) is being introduced to digitally transmit AU data from doctors to health insurers and employers. Patients can still obtain a paper copy on request. The transition is implemented gradually and may vary by region and practice.

Legal basis: The AU process is governed by the Social Code Book V (SGB V) and the Entgeltfortzahlungsgesetz (EFZG), which regulate sick leave rights and wage continuation.