- Jul 20
German sick leave dips slightly in first half of 2026 as mental illness becomes top cause, DAK data shows
Average sick days per worker fell to 9.6 from 9.9 a year earlier, but the government is pushing stricter rules for sick notes, sparking protests from doctors.
- May 26
Germany considers hiking long-term care insurance contributions for the childless to plug billion-euro deficit
Health Minister Nina Warken is exploring a 0.1-point increase in the surcharge for childless individuals, pushing their total contribution rate to 4.3 percent as the statutory long-term care insurance faces a deficit exceeding one billion euros this year.
