Online sick notes issued through a questionnaire are familiar to many people. You answer a few questions on a screen and receive a certificate at the end. The coalition wants to curb misuse of sick notes issued through online platforms, but a concrete rule does not yet exist. This guide explains what the coalition agreement provides, what media reports say, and what to keep in mind in the meantime. For the telephone variant, see our guide on the telephone sick note (in German).
Short answer: The coalition agreement provides for curbing misuse of sick notes issued through online platforms. Media reports name Health Minister Warken in connection with plans to stop online certificates issued without contact with a doctor. A law on this has not been passed as of this guide. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points
- The coalition agreement aims to curb misuse of sick notes issued through online platforms.
- Media reports state that Health Minister Warken wants to stop online certificates issued through questionnaires. No binding rule has been adopted.
- A video consultation with a doctor is different from a questionnaire with no medical contact.
- The timetable is open. Until a change, the existing rules apply.
- If you are genuinely ill, contact a surgery directly and do not rely on an online form.
What is an online sick note through a questionnaire?
In this model, the certificate is issued without personal contact with a doctor. Providers work with questionnaires that ask about symptoms and medical history, and then issue a certificate. A video consultation is different: a medical professional sees and speaks to the patient. Whether a questionnaire meets future requirements depends on the rule that has not yet been written.
The distinction matters for the assessment. A conversation with an examination is not the same as answering questions on a screen. That is why media and politicians separate platforms without medical contact from the video consultation, which according to the Federal Ministry of Health is to remain available.
What is planned and what has been decided?
According to Ärzteblatt, the coalition agreement sets the aim of curbing misuse of sick notes issued through online platforms. The minister referred to this in February 2026. The Pharmazeutische Zeitung and the Apotheken Umschau report that Warken wants to stop online certificates issued without contact with a doctor. These reports are based on statements, and a passed statutory text does not yet exist.
A tougher penalty is also under discussion. According to reports, issuing an incapacity certificate that is untrue should be punished more severely than before. Under the current position reported by ZDFheute, this can carry up to two years in prison or a fine. Here too, the proposal is planned rather than adopted.
| Route | Contact with a doctor | Status of planning |
|---|---|---|
| Visit to the surgery | Yes, in person | Regular route, unchanged |
| Video consultation | Yes, by video | To remain available, according to the Federal Ministry of Health |
| Online questionnaire | No | Restriction announced in the coalition agreement, no law yet |
| Telephone sick note | Yes, by phone | Abolition agreed in the coalition programme, no law yet |
What does a certificate need to be valid?
The continued pay rules refer to a medical determination of incapacity for work. What counts is therefore that a medical professional determines the incapacity and certifies it. Whether a questionnaire meets this standard is a question for the future rule and for each case. For a student or new employee, the safest route is still a consultation with a doctor.
Employers and health insurance funds also expect a certificate that can be checked. If you receive a certificate through a platform, check that it is complete, carries a date of issue and states the expected duration. An incomplete certificate can lead your employer to ask questions.
Why the debate is happening now
The discussion is closely tied to the question of how many sick days arise and how they come about. According to ZDFheute, recorded sick days rose from around 15 calendar days in 2019 to 20 in 2022 after electronic transmission, and then stayed at that level. The coalition sees this as a reason to curb misuse. According to reporting, the employer side welcomes the plans, while doctors’ associations criticise them.
This dispute is central to the question of online certificates. Supporters of restrictions point to misuse. Critics see the question differently and consider misuse to be limited. A law will have to balance these positions, which is why the detailed rules remain open.
What alternatives do you have when you are ill?
If you feel unwell and cannot work, the route through a surgery is the safest. The appointment service on 116117 can help if an appointment is urgent, and the video consultation is an option if no examination in person is needed. For acute symptoms or emergencies, dial 112.
For many students, the family doctor is the simplest route. A certificate can usually be issued there after a short examination. The trip takes time, but it provides clarity and protects you against later questions from your employer. If you want to know how to get an appointment, see Get a specialist appointment faster: use the 116117 service (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Is an online sick note through a questionnaire already banned?
Not as far as this guide is concerned. The coalition agreement announces a restriction, but no law has been passed. Media reports name a ban as the aim, but the exact scope is still open.
What is the difference from a video consultation?
In a video consultation, a medical professional sees and hears the patient, can ask questions and assess symptoms. The questionnaire model lacks this contact. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, the video consultation is to remain available.
Does my employer have to accept an online certificate?
What matters is whether the certificate counts as a medical certificate under the applicable rules. Under section 5 of the Continued Pay Act, your employer may require a medical certificate and ask for it earlier. If in doubt, ask your employer before you rely on an online solution.
Where can I find current information?
The coalition agreement, announcements from the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Law Gazette are the reliable sources. Your health insurance fund also informs you about changes that affect it.
What changes for students with a part-time job?
That depends on which form of certificate you use and which rules apply in your workplace. The duty to notify your employer does not change because of these plans. If you have a part-time job, clarify the notification routes early.
Next steps
- Use your surgery or a video consultation if you are unsure whether you need an examination.
- Report your incapacity for work to your employer on the first day and give the expected duration.
- Follow the legislative process once a draft is published, and adjust your routes accordingly.
Related reading
- Health system reform: overview of emergency care, sick notes and the ePA (in German)
- Telephone sick note: planned abolition and what applies until then (in German)
- Sick note from the first day: do I have to see a doctor right away? (in German)
- Sick leave notification: deadlines for employer and health insurer (in German)
- Sickness benefit for students: does it exist? (in German)
Sources: Ärzteblatt: Warken plant keine Abschaffung der telefonischen Krankschreibung (26 February 2026, in German), Pharmazeutische Zeitung: Warken will Online-Krankschreibungen stoppen (no date given, in German), Apotheken Umschau: Krankschreibung per Fragebogen (no date given, in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
