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Germany to End Phone Sick Notes, Allow Immediate Certificates

7/27/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Germany's coalition government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz will scrap telephone sick notes and permit day-one medical certificates.
In 2024 workers averaged 22 sick-leave days, with women in health care at 27 days and teachers at 24 days.
Union Verdi called the plan a “culture of mistrust” toward workers.
Mental-health cases made up 4.8% of sicknesses, lasted an average of 28 days, and rose 47% since 2014 according to AOK data.

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Story summary

Germany's coalition government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz will scrap telephone sick notes and permit day-one medical certificates.
In 2024 workers averaged 22 sick-leave days, with women in health care at 27 days and teachers at 24 days.
Union Verdi called the plan a “culture of mistrust” toward workers.
Mental-health cases made up 4.8% of sicknesses, lasted an average of 28 days, and rose 47% since 2014 according to AOK data.