Overview
- Health Minister Nina Warken announced an evaluation of telephone sick notes, citing a coalition pledge to prevent misuse, with any change requiring regulatory or legislative action.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz highlighted what he called high sick-leave levels, drawing support from employer groups and the KBV chief, while unions, many GPs and SPD figures criticized the focus on sick workers.
- Insurer and institute data show telephone attestations account for roughly 0.8–1.2% of certificates, and studies report no evidence of systematic misuse.
- The DAK reported an average of 19.5 calendar sick days in 2025, broadly stable year over year, with respiratory illnesses leading and mental-health-related absence rising.
- Experts attribute much of the post-2021 increase in recorded sick days to the electronic sick-note system’s more complete capture; proposals now include a stakeholder summit and exploring part-time sick notes.