Germany changes sick leave policy: 'We are abolishing sick leave by phone,' says Chancellor Merz; doctor's note required from day one of illness

Germany is planning to tighten its sick leave rules as part of a wide-ranging economic reform package unveiled by Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition government. Under the proposed changes, employers could ask workers to provide a doctor's certificate from the very first day of absence, ending the current practice that allows many employees to stay home sick for up to three days without medical proof. The move is aimed at improving productivity and supporting Germany's struggling economy, reports news agency AP.

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Germany plans stricter sick leave rules

The German government on Thursday announced a package of 34 economic reforms designed to boost growth, reduce bureaucracy and address long-term challenges facing Europe's largest economy.


Among the most talked-about measures is a proposed overhaul of sick leave regulations. If approved, employees would no longer be able to take short-term sick leave without providing medical documentation when requested by their employer. The reforms would also limit the practice of obtaining a week-long sick note through a phone consultation without physically visiting a doctor.

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According to the government, the changes are intended to ensure greater accountability and reduce workplace absenteeism. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had repeatedly complained that the rate of sick leave is too high in Germany and harming the country's productivity.

“From the very beginning, we set an agenda with a single goal in mind: We want to get Germany back on track. It is now clear that this is possible,” the conservative chancellor said.

“We can no longer accept the extraordinarily high levels of sick leave in our companies,” Merz told reporters. “We are abolishing sick leave by phone and introducing the requirement to submit a medical certificate from the very first day of illness,” he added.

“We know this is a tough decision, but we can no longer afford this competitive disadvantage caused by prolonged absences from work.” Merz has said the changes are needed to kickstart Germany’s economy, which has been struggling since the COVID pandemic and dealt blows by the war in Ukraine and Iran.

What does the former policy say?

Under Germany’s former policy, workers in Germany were allowed to take up to six weeks of paid leave for an illness. If the employee falls ill from a different sickness, the six-week paid leave starts again. That’s on top of the six weeks of vacation time that most employees get.

Why is Germany changing its sick leave policy?

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has repeatedly argued that Germany's high rate of sick leave is affecting productivity and economic performance.

Germany has been grappling with sluggish economic growth despite returning to modest expansion after two consecutive years of contraction. Rising energy costs, growing competition from China, demographic pressures and global trade uncertainties have all weighed on the economy.

Speaking while unveiling the reforms, Merz said the government's goal is to strengthen Germany's future competitiveness and put the country back on a path of sustainable growth.

What exactly could change for workers?

Under the proposed rules:

Employers may request a doctor's certificate from the first day of illness.
Workers may no longer be able to stay home for several days without medical proof if an employer asks for documentation.
Obtaining extended sick leave through a simple phone call to a doctor could become more difficult.
Verification requirements for medical leave may become stricter across workplaces.

The changes are part of a broader effort to increase workforce participation and improve productivity.

Other key measures include:

Income tax cuts

The government plans tax relief for low- and middle-income families. Once fully implemented by 2028, a household with two working parents, two children and a taxable income of around €60,000 could receive annual tax savings exceeding €600.

Pension system overhaul

Germany also plans to reform its pension system by gradually linking the retirement age to life expectancy. The goal is to stabilize pensions while avoiding significant increases in employee pension contributions.

Cutting bureaucracy

The government wants to eliminate several reporting and documentation requirements, simplify tax procedures and reduce administrative burdens for businesses and citizens.

Why the reforms matter

Germany's economy faces mounting pressure from an aging population, rising healthcare and pension costs, weak private investment and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.

The Merz government hopes the reform package will help improve economic competitiveness while addressing structural challenges that have slowed growth in recent years.

The proposed sick leave changes are likely to spark debate among employers, labor groups and workers, with supporters arguing they will boost productivity and critics warning they could make it harder for genuinely ill employees to take time off when needed.

FAQs

Is Germany banning sick leave without a doctor's note?

No. The proposal would allow employers to request a doctor's certificate from the first day of absence, making medical proof necessary in more cases.

Can employees currently take sick leave without seeing a doctor?

In many situations, workers can stay home sick for a short period without immediate medical documentation, and some sick notes can be issued through telephone consultations.

Why is Germany tightening sick leave rules?

The government says high absenteeism rates are affecting productivity and economic performance.

Are the new sick leave rules already in effect?

No. The measures are currently part of a reform package announced by the government and would need to go through the required legislative process before taking effect.

What other reforms has Germany announced?

The package also includes tax cuts for families, pension reforms, and measures aimed at reducing bureaucracy and encouraging economic growth.