Taking sick leave by phone – how it works

For a while, it was possible to take sick leave by telephone due to coronavirus. Since December 7, this is now permanently possible

Take sick leave by phone: Permanently possible for cold symptoms

At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, a special regulation was introduced that allowed sick leave to be taken by telephone. This was intended to relieve the pressure on doctors’ surgeries during the peak phases of the pandemic. In the fall of 2023, the Federal Committee decided to resume the scheme and offer it permanently.

• Since December 7, 2023, patients have been able to call their doctor again to request a sick note. The reason for this is the overload in doctors’ surgeries due to the large number of respiratory infections

• However, the regulation not only relieves the burden on doctors’ surgeries, but also reduces the risk of contracting other infectious diseases in the waiting rooms of German GPs.

• But there are restrictions: Doctors were only allowed to give their patients sick leave for mild cold symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose and cough, and after consulting them over the phone. Anyone suffering from other illnesses or severe symptoms such as high fever must continue to visit the doctor’s surgery.

• Patients were allowed to be on sick leave over the phone for a maximum of seven days at a time. An extension is only possible if the patient has previously visited the practice. A follow-up sick note can also be issued for a longer period of time.

Sick note via video call: maximum of seven days possible

It is also possible to attend a video consultation and take a sick note. This service has been available for some time, regardless of the coronavirus pandemic.

• Patients register for a video consultation with their doctor. A video call can be used to discuss the next steps with the doctor and, if necessary, issue a sick note

• If the patient is new to the doctor’s surgery, they can be given a sick note for a maximum of three calendar days via video call. If the patient is already known to the doctor’s surgery, the doctor can issue a sick note for up to seven days

• A follow-up sick note by video call is only possible if the previous sick note was issued during an in-person examination.

• Compared to a sick note by telephone, a video call gives the doctor the opportunity to see the patient and get an idea of their state of health.

• However: A video consultation is only possible if a physical examination is not necessary. Anyone suffering from severe abdominal pain, for example, should see a doctor in person so that they can rule out certain illnesses, such as appendicitis, through a physical examination.