Working custodial parents are entitled to compensation for lost earnings if schools or daycare centers have been closed due to an outbreak and they are providing care for their child or children themselves. Children must be under 12 years of age. This age restriction does not apply to children with disabilities. This entitlement also applies to foster children.

The compensation depends on your earnings.

Compensation is granted for a maximum closure period of 6 weeks. It amounts to 67% of your net earnings, up to a maximum of 2,016 euros for a full month.

If the facility would be closed anyway due to school holidays, this provision generally does not apply.

If you have entered into a care contract with an after-school care facility, you are also entitled to compensation during school vacations.

Before you receive this compensation, you must exhaust all other reasonable childcare options. These include, for example, childcare provided by family members or friends, working from home, using accrued time off, or taking vacation.

Care provided by so-called “high-risk groups” should be avoided. These include, above all, older adults or people with underlying health conditions.

There is no entitlement to compensation during short-time work.

The following applies to employees:

• Your employer will pay you compensation for the duration of the closure, up to a maximum of 6 weeks. The employer will be reimbursed for the amounts paid by the relevant authority.
• Therefore, inform your employer immediately about your childcare situation so that they can apply for compensation. If your employer (especially smaller companies) cannot make advance payments, you can apply for advances in the estimated amount of the reimbursement.
• In exceptional cases, you may submit the application for compensation yourself.

The following applies to employers:

• You must pay compensation to your employees for the duration of the closure, up to a maximum of 6 weeks (advance payment). You can have the amounts paid reimbursed by the relevant authority.
• Contributions to pension, long-term care, and health insurance may also be reimbursed to you.
• You may also apply for an advance payment.

For self-employed individuals:

• You will receive reimbursement directly from the relevant authority.
• Your most recent annual profit is used to calculate your loss of earnings. This amount is divided by 12.
• You can also have your contributions to pension, long-term care, and health insurance reimbursed.
• You can also apply for an advance payment.

The following applies to home-based workers:

• Unlike for self-employed individuals, your average monthly income is used in the calculation.