The German government is considering a controversial new law that would require workers to provide a doctor's note immediately when calling in sick, effectively banning the practice of calling in sick without medical documentation. The proposal, announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition, aims to reduce high absenteeism rates that have been costing the economy billions.
Details of the Proposed Legislation
Under current German law, employees can call in sick for up to three days without a doctor's note. The new proposal would eliminate this grace period, mandating that workers obtain a medical certificate from the first day of illness. Employers would be required to pay for the doctor's visit, but the burden of proof would shift entirely to the employee.
According to government sources, the move is intended to curb what officials describe as "sick leave abuse," particularly on Mondays and Fridays. Official statistics show that German workers took an average of 15 sick days per year in 2025, up from 11 in 2020, costing employers an estimated €50 billion annually in lost productivity.
Political and Public Reaction
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from labor unions and opposition parties. "This is a direct attack on workers' rights and trust," said Yasmin Fahimi, head of the German Trade Union Federation. "It assumes employees are lying until proven otherwise." Health insurance companies have also expressed concerns about unnecessary doctor visits straining the healthcare system.
However, business groups have welcomed the plan. "Germany's economy cannot afford such high absenteeism," said Rainer Dulger, president of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations. "This measure will ensure that sick leave is only taken when genuinely necessary."
Implementation and Timeline
The coalition government aims to introduce the bill in parliament by September 2026, with a potential start date of January 1, 2027. If passed, Germany would join a handful of European countries with such strict sick leave rules, including France and Sweden. The proposal still faces significant hurdles, including legal challenges over data privacy and workers' rights.
