Germany has reached a new record: workers are now taking an average of nearly 20 sick days per year. That figure has drawn attention from politicians, employers, and economists alike — and Chancellor Friedrich Merz has signaled that his government intends to act. For expats working in Germany, this news touches something very practical: your rights when you are ill, your employer's expectations, and the broader cultural and legal framework around workplace health. Understanding how Germany's sick leave system works — and how it compares to other European countries — is essential if you want to navigate the German workplace with confidence.
Germany has one of the most employee-protective sick leave systems in the world. If you fall ill and are unable to work, you are entitled to continued pay (Lohnfortzahlung) from your employer for up to six weeks per illness episode. After that, your Krankenversicherung (statutory health insurance) takes over with a sickness benefit (Krankengeld) of approximately 70% of your gross salary, for up to 78 weeks.
To take sick leave legally, you must obtain a medical certificate (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung, commonly called an "AU") from a doctor, typically required from the first day of illness — though some employers allow you to self-certify for the first three days. Since 2023, AU certificates are transmitted digitally to employers and health insurers in most cases, removing the need to hand in a paper slip.
Importantly, your employer cannot dismiss you simply because you are sick. German labor law offers strong protection against illness-related dismissal, though prolonged or repeated sick leave over several years can, under specific legal circumstances, become grounds for termination. If you are unsure about your situation, consult a labor law specialist (Fachanwalt für Arbeitsrecht).
Health insurers and researchers point to several factors behind the rising sick leave figures: an aging workforce, post-pandemic mental health challenges, easier digital access to medical certificates, and greater awareness among workers of their rights. Some studies also suggest that the normalization of remote work has made workers more willing to report illness rather than push through it at home.
Chancellor Merz and parts of his coalition have framed the record figures as an economic problem, suggesting that high absenteeism costs Germany billions of euros annually in lost productivity. Proposed responses include tighter controls on how medical certificates are issued and potential reforms to the first-day sick pay rule — a politically sensitive topic that unions and worker representatives have firmly opposed.
As of now, no legislative changes have been enacted. But expat workers should monitor developments, particularly if they work in industries with high sick leave rates or for employers who may apply internal absence policies more strictly.
Despite the record-breaking headline, Germany is not the European country with the highest sick leave rates. Nordic countries such as Norway and Sweden regularly report higher average absence figures, in part because their systems also strongly protect workers who report illness. Southern European countries tend to show lower official figures, though researchers caution that informal presenteeism (coming to work while ill) is harder to measure.
The comparison matters for expats: Germany's system is generous by international standards, and understanding it as a right — not a perk — is important. At the same time, workplace culture in Germany can vary: some employers and managers view high sick leave with suspicion, while others fully accept it as a normal part of employment.
Yes. Your right to sick pay (Lohnfortzahlung) applies regardless of your nationality, as long as you are employed under a standard German employment contract and are registered with the social insurance system. This includes workers on a skilled worker visa, Blue Card, or other work-based Aufenthaltstitel. Mini-job workers (below €538/month) have limited sick pay rights — check your contract carefully.
German labor law strongly protects employees from dismissal due to illness. However, if you have recurring absences over a long period that make your continued employment economically unreasonable, dismissal can in some cases be legally justified after years of repeated absence. For any concerns about job security and sick leave, speak with a union representative (if you are a member) or a labor lawyer.
If your employment continues — even while you are on sick leave — your work-based residence permit generally remains valid. However, if you lose your job during sick leave, the situation becomes more complex. Contact your Ausländerbehörde promptly and seek legal advice to understand your options.
Germany's sick leave debate is ultimately about workers' rights versus economic efficiency — a tension that expat employees are caught in the middle of. Your rights today remain strong and clear. The best thing you can do is understand them fully: know when and how to get a medical certificate, understand your pay entitlements, and keep an eye on any legislative changes the Merz government introduces.
If you are new to the German workforce, take time to review your employment contract's sick leave clauses, and don't hesitate to ask your HR department or a union advisor to explain them.
Source: DW English
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