The coalition government requires a medical certificate from the first day of illness and ends telephone sick notes, but employees do not have to see a doctor on that day, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil say.Health Minister Nina Warken retains video consultations and partial certificates while Jens Spahn and SPD ministers argue the rule will curb abuse, and unions warn it could overload practices and raise infection risks in waiting rooms.The Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung estimates about 30M additional doctor visits annually,
DAK-Gesundheit says phone notes were roughly 1% of certifications between 2020 and 2023, and employers already bear about €82-85B annually for continued sick wages.