The Infection Protection Act (IfSG) protects the population in Germany. It also provides financial compensation for people affected by protective measures.

You may be eligible for compensation if you have suffered a loss of earnings as a result of quarantine or a work restriction. The work restriction or quarantine must have been ordered by the public health department or another competent authority.

Furthermore, you may be eligible for compensation if you are unable to work because you must care for your children due to the closure of schools or child care facilities (e.g., daycare centers), or because your child has been ordered to quarantine, or if you are caring for a person with a disability and therefore experience a loss of earnings.

For employees, the employer is responsible for submitting the application to the competent authority and arranging for payment. Self-employed individuals can submit their application directly to the competent authority.

The application for compensation must be submitted retroactively within 2 years. The amount of compensation depends on the reason for the application (quarantine/prohibition on working, or closure of childcare facilities).