Is an employee allowed to go out, travel or enjoy themselves while on sick leave?

Yes, in principle you are allowed to leave your home or even travel while on sick leave, subject to one essential condition:
Your behaviour must not conflict with the main purpose of sick leave, which is recovery and regaining your ability to work (Erholung und Genesung).

Important details:

No general “stay-at-home ban” during sick leave:

• Being on sick leave does not mean house arrest or a legal obligation to stay at home.

• If the type of illness or injury does not require strict bed rest, you may go outside for fresh air, take walks, go shopping or even visit a café/restaurant.

• The key point: any activity must not delay your recovery or contradict your doctor’s advice.

Travelling while on sick leave:

• Travelling is allowed if it does not interfere with your recovery.

• It is strongly advisable to consult your doctor beforehand and, ideally, obtain written confirmation or a note, especially if the trip is long or far away.

• If you travel abroad, you should inform your health insurance fund (Krankenkasse) in advance, as you may need medical follow-up or urgent contact – and because payment of sickness benefits (Krankengeld) may be affected when you are outside the country.

Risks:

• If your employer sees you engaging in activities that clearly do not fit your stated illness (for example, sick leave due to severe back pain, but you appear in photos doing strenuous sports), they can challenge this and possibly request that salary or benefits be stopped.

• If it later turns out that your activities have delayed your recovery or contradict your medical report, this may have legal and employment consequences (wage deductions, a formal warning/Abmahnung, or even dismissal in special cases).

The golden rule:

• Everything you do during sick leave should be consistent with your doctor’s advice and with the goal of recovery.

• Going out to relax, spending time in nature or taking a trip to support your mental health is usually acceptable – especially if your doctor recommends it or at least does not forbid it.

Conclusion:

• Going out, enjoying your free time or even travelling while on sick leave is permissible as long as it does not harm or delay your recovery.

• Always consult your doctor if you are unsure, and inform your health insurance fund when travelling abroad.

• Avoid activities that could clearly appear to contradict your medical certificate or provoke your employer’s suspicion.

Practical tip:
If you travel, keep proof of your doctor’s recommendation or your communication with the health insurance fund, to avoid future problems or misunderstandings.

Our team of writers and editors strives to provide accurate information based on intensive research and multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some information may be incomplete or not definitively confirmed. Therefore, please regard the information in our articles as an initial point of reference only, and always contact the competent authorities or professional bodies to obtain binding and official information.