If you work in Germany, your right to paid sick leave — known as Lohnfortzahlung im Krankheitsfall — is one of the most valued protections in the German employment system. Employees are entitled to up to six weeks of continued pay from their employer when they are unable to work due to illness. But that system may soon change. The German government is drawing up plans to introduce stricter requirements for proving you are genuinely sick, with the aim of reducing one of the highest absenteeism rates in Europe. For expats and immigrants in the workforce, understanding these changes matters — both for your rights and your wallet.
The coalition government is reportedly considering measures that would require employees to obtain a formal medical certificate (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung, or AU) earlier than is currently standard. Under existing rules, employers can request a certificate from the first day of sick leave, though many companies only require one from the third day onward. The new proposals would tighten this, potentially making same-day or next-day medical proof mandatory in more situations.
The government frames this as a necessary step to tackle Germany's high rate of workplace absenteeism. According to official statistics, German workers took an average of more than 19 sick days per year in recent years — among the highest in Europe. Officials argue this places a significant burden on the economy and on employers, particularly small and medium-sized businesses.
The exact legislative text has not yet been published, but the direction of travel is clear: workers will likely need to see a doctor more quickly and more often to access sick pay protection.
The reaction from Germany's medical community has been sharply critical. Doctors' associations and GPs have called the plans "catastrophic," warning that forcing more people to visit a surgery in the early days of an illness will dramatically increase the pressure on an already stretched primary care system.
Germany is facing a shortage of GPs, particularly in rural areas. Appointment waiting times at many practices are already long. Critics argue that requiring workers to attend a doctor's appointment on the first or second day of a cold or minor illness will flood clinics with patients who could otherwise recover at home, crowding out those with more serious conditions who need urgent attention.
There is also a public health concern: requiring sick workers — especially those with contagious illnesses — to travel to a doctor's surgery could accelerate the spread of infections.
For expats and immigrants working in Germany, these potential changes carry specific implications:
As of the time of writing, no final legislation has been passed. The government has announced plans and is consulting on them. The changes are expected to be debated in the Bundestag in the coming months. Workers should monitor official announcements from the German Federal Ministry of Labour (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales) for confirmed dates.
If passed, the rules would apply to all employees subject to German employment law — including expats, EU citizens working in Germany, and non-EU nationals with valid work permits. Self-employed individuals and those on freelance contracts have different sick pay arrangements and may not be directly affected in the same way.
Currently, employees are entitled to continued pay for up to six weeks from their employer when sick. A medical certificate (AU-Schein) is typically required from the third day of illness, though employers can contractually require it from the first day. After six weeks, the Krankenversicherung takes over with Krankengeld (sick pay from your health insurer), which is approximately 70% of your gross wage.
You have a legal right to take sick leave when you are genuinely ill and can provide a valid medical certificate. If you feel pressured or penalised for taking legitimate sick leave, you can contact your works council (Betriebsrat) if one exists at your company, or seek advice from a lawyer specialising in employment law (Arbeitsrecht). You can also contact the relevant trade union for your sector.
Germany's proposed sick leave reform is still in the planning stage, but the direction is clear: the bar for proving illness is likely to go up. For expats and immigrants in the German workforce, the best preparation is practical: register with a Hausarzt now, make sure your Krankenversicherung details are current, and familiarise yourself with your employment contract's existing sick leave clauses. Stay tuned to official government announcements for the confirmed timeline of any legislative changes.
Source: The Local Germany
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