Comparison · Online sick note vs. house-call
rab vs online sick note
rab vs online sick note is a care-pathway comparison that shows when RAB Arztbesuche's private medical home visit in Berlin is the faster alternative — with a licensed physician daily from 6 am to midnight.
Online platforms promise sick notes within minutes via chat or video. That can be useful for clearly bounded simple colds — but it is not a substitute for a medical examination. The rab house-call delivers both: a robust diagnosis on site, plus the sick note when it's appropriate.
Medically reviewed by Susanne Reiche · Last reviewed
A sick note is not the actual product
Online sick-note platforms have a clear use case: someone has a mild cold, feels too weak to work, needs the paper for their employer. Within that scope the system is fast and cheap. Several German providers have built structures with legally-sound medical responsibility behind them.
The key distinction: an online sick note does not replace a clinical examination. If you are unsure whether your cough is bronchitis or pneumonia, whether the fever is harmless or treatable, whether the abdominal pain is IBS or appendicitis — an online platform cannot answer that. The rab house-call delivers a full clinical assessment; the sick note is then a by-product.
A fair picture — both have a place
For a 24-hour cold with a clear course, an online sick note is a pragmatic solution. For anything longer, more severe or unclear, it is not. When you book rab, you don't primarily get a certificate — you get medical clarification, which then comes with the necessary documentation.
Emergency? Dial the emergency number
If unconscious, with severe chest pain, breathlessness or heavy bleeding, dial 112 immediately. Our service complements the emergency services — it does not replace them.
Comparison
| Aspect | rab Berlin | Online sick-note platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Personal exam, sick note on site | Chat/video questionnaire, digital certificate |
| Sick-note duration | Up to the clinically meaningful maximum | Often just 3 days, first certificate only |
| Examination | Full physical exam plus labs/ECG as needed | No physical examination |
| Cost | GOÄ, around €150–350 (incl. treatment) | Flat fee, around €10–40 (sick note only) |
| Employer acceptance | Full medical certificate | Accepted, but increasingly questioned |
| Prescriptions | All relevant medication | Limited to none |
| Suitable cases | Real medical clarification wanted | Clearly harmless brief cold without treatment need |
When rab is the better choice
- You are genuinely ill and need diagnosis and therapy, not just a piece of paper
- A longer or follow-up sick note is foreseeable
- Symptoms include high fever, breathlessness, severe pain or abdominal complaints
- You want correct medical documentation for employer or insurer
- You want treatment and certificate in one visit
When an online sick note is acceptable
- Clearly harmless, short cold with no treatment need
- You are already under medical care and just need the certificate
- It's purely about meeting an employer's documentation requirement
- No red flags — no fever above 39 °C, no breathlessness, no abdominal pain
Frequently asked questions
Is a rab sick note valid for my employer?
Yes. Private sick notes are fully recognised under German law. They differ from statutory sick notes formally, not in validity.
Can I book a house-call just for the sick note?
You can — but rarely sensibly. If your symptoms justify a clinical exam, yes. If it really is only about the paper, an online sick note is cheaper and sufficient.
How long can a sick note be issued for?
Depending on the diagnosis and course, up to the clinically meaningful maximum. For chronic or longer episodes we recommend handover to a regular GP.
Are employers wary of online sick notes?
Some employers increasingly question online sick notes. A private sick note after physical examination is legally and factually stronger — relevant especially for longer or repeated episodes.