The overall sickness rate in Germany edged lower during the first half of 2026, but the reprieve masks a sharp and historic rise in time lost to mental-health conditions. New figures from the DAK-Gesundheit insurer show that psychological disorders now account for more lost working days than any other illness category — surpassing respiratory infections and musculoskeletal problems for the first time.
DAK’s analysis, drawn from roughly 2.2 million insured individuals, found that general sick leave fell from 5.4 percent to 5.3 percent, and the average number of sick days per insured person dropped from 9.9 to 9.6. Yet mental-health-related absences jumped nine percent, climbing to 184 days per 100 insured workers. Respiratory diseases caused 175 days, and muscle and bone conditions 174 days.
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The increase is not evenly spread across the workforce. Younger employees reported fewer missed days overall, while absence rates among workers over 60 rose sharply. Andreas Storm, chief executive of DAK-Gesundheit, called for targeted programs to address long-term illness, noting that the trend places additional strain on both companies and the statutory health-insurance system.
That system is already under financial pressure. According to the IGES Institute, Germany’s statutory health insurance (GKV) faces a funding gap of roughly 11.8 billion euros in 2027. Without corrective measures, the average contribution rate could climb to 18.3 percent. Industry representatives are urging structural reforms and a spending policy tied more closely to revenue.
In response to the rising absence figures, the federal government is considering several legislative changes. One proposal would require employees to present a medical certificate from the first day of illness, rather than after the current three-day threshold. Another would abolish the option of a phone-based sick note — a move that has drawn sharp criticism from the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV).
A third idea under discussion is the Teilkrankschreibung, or partial sick leave, which would allow workers to remain on the job for limited hours even while recovering from an illness or injury. Proponents argue it helps preserve the connection to the workplace during extended recuperation periods.
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The demand for professional workplace health management (BGM) is rising as a result. Companies like Aktivital GmbH are actively hiring staff to design and coordinate health-promotion programs for corporate clients, reflecting a broader push to embed prevention into everyday operations.
One example of such prevention in action is a competition in the Euskirchen district, southwest of Cologne. Dubbed “Kreis in Bewegung” (District in Motion), the app-based challenge involves more than 50 companies and roughly 1,500 employees. Since May, participants have logged over 100,000 hours of physical activity. The project runs until September 2026.
