Germany is initiating a crackdown on sick leave amid extraordinarily high levels of sick leave. New regulations require employees to provide a doctor's note when calling in sick. According to Deutsche Welle, Chancellor Olaf Scholz Merz is leading the effort to curb sick‑leave abuse.

Deutsche Welle reported that the average sick leave taken by German workers is nearly 20 days per year, a new record. Under the former policy, workers could take up to six weeks of paid sick leave in addition to six weeks of vacation, as noted by the New York Post. From 1 July 2026, the new Grundsicherung welfare law will tighten rules on proof of illness and may cut benefits for claimants who violate conditions, according to ad‑hoc‑news.de. The same source added that Grundsicherung replaces the previous Bürgergeld system and that the reform’s stated aim is to strengthen obligations to cooperate and push recipients back into work.