The telephone sick note system, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and made permanent in December 2023 for established patients without severe symptoms, has sparked renewed debate amid rising sick leave rates.

Finance Minister Christian Lindner has suggested a return to requiring in-person doctor visits for sick notes, citing concerns about a correlation between the policy's introduction and increasing absenteeism.

Economic experts estimate that Germany's high sick leave rates contributed to a GDP contraction of 0.3% last year, indicating a potential economic impact from the current sick leave policies.

Employers express skepticism about the telephone sick note system, fearing it may encourage employees to call in sick for minor ailments, thus increasing absenteeism.

Nicola Buhlinger-Göpfarth, co-chair of the Association of General Practitioners, argues that abolishing telephone sick notes could jeopardize patient care during a time of rising infections.

Buhlinger-Göpfarth emphasized that the introduction of telephone sick notes has been a successful measure to reduce bureaucracy in healthcare.

Klaus Reinhardt, president of the German Medical Association, supports retaining the telephone sick note system, highlighting the increased workload for medical practices.

The telephone sick note option is seen as beneficial for easing the workload in medical practices, allowing doctors to focus on patients with acute symptoms.

Doctors' representatives have criticized calls for the abolition of telephone sick notes, arguing it could lead to increased patient loads in clinics.

Concerns arise that forcing sick individuals to attend a doctor's office could exacerbate public health risks and negatively impact the economy.

Recent data from DAK Health indicates that 30.5% of employees were on sick leave from July to September 2024, a notable figure for summer months.

The overall sickness rate has increased since the pandemic, potentially linked to the thoroughness of the new electronic reporting system.