Germany's CDU targets phone sick notes to curb rising absenteeism

A bold move to tighten sick leave rules sparks debate. Will ending phone consultations reduce absenteeism—or burden workers and doctors?

, and Administrator

2026 April 13 . 2:02 PM

1 min read

The image shows a person in blue gloves working on a medical device on a table surrounded by boxes,... — The image shows a person in blue gloves working on a medical device on a table surrounded by boxes, cups, and other objects. In the background, there are papers attached to the wall, suggesting that the person is in a hospital setting. This could be a representation of the five reasons why you should be a doctor: the use of medical equipment, the importance of monitoring and diagnosing medical conditions, the need for medical professionals, the cost of medical supplies, the potential for medical care, and the potential risks associated with it.

Party Conference: CDU Pushes to End Phone Sick Notes

CDU calls for end to telephone sick notes - Germany's CDU targets phone sick notes to curb rising absenteeism

Is it too easy for employees to obtain a medical certificate without visiting a doctor's office? The CDU is calling for the abolition of a controversial practice.

Amid rising employee absenteeism, the CDU is demanding an end to the option of obtaining sick leave over the phone without an in-person doctor's visit. The party conference in Stuttgart adopted a corresponding motion from the Mittelstands- und Wirtschaftsunion (Union of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and the Economy). The proposal argues that the easier it is to get a sick note, the more likely employees are to decide in favor of calling in sick—the so-called "bedside decision." Replacing office visits with mere phone calls further lowers the threshold, it claims.

Chancellor and CDU leader Friedrich Merz had previously criticized what he sees as excessively high sickness absence rates and questioned the validity of phone sick notes. Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) announced plans to review the regulation. Currently, patients can receive a sick note over the phone if they are already known to the practice and have mild symptoms. Such notes cover up to five calendar days, but any extension requires an in-person doctor's visit.

Source: dpa