Germany Tightens Sick Leave Rules Amid Concerns Over Medical Practice Impact

The German government has decided to require employees to provide a doctor’s certificate from the first day of illness, ending the previous provision which allowed telephone sick notes and mandated certificates only after three days. This change was agreed upon by the coalition committee as part of efforts to curb what officials see as excessive sick leave, which surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chancellor’s office head Thorsten Frei defended the plan, stating the rise in sick leave, especially around weekends, lacks medical justification and the new rules aim to restore pre-pandemic norms.

However, the reform has sparked significant debate. The SPD expressed concerns over the policy in a recent statement by General Secretary Tim Klüssendorf, emphasizing the risk of overwhelming medical practices. The Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung (KBV) projects up to 30 million additional doctor visits annually, potentially straining resources and affecting patients with urgent needs. North Rhine-Westphalia Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst also urged caution, highlighting the risk early doctor visits could distract from critical patient care.

Experts note Germany ranks in the upper third internationally for sick leave but is not the highest. According to IGES representative Susanne Hildebrandt, the current regulations already empower employers to request immediate sick certificates when abuse is suspected, making the reform unnecessary. The financial burden for employers is substantial, with continued pay during sick leave costing between €82 billion to €85 billion annually.

The SPD’s Klüssendorf framed the change as a compromise to prevent even stricter measures such as unpaid waiting days at the start of illness. The government’s intention is to improve productivity and workplace reliability, but the reform’s implications for healthcare providers and patient care remain contested.