Germany implements major labour reforms and raises Brandenburg civil servants' wages

On 2 July 2026 the German federal government presented a 34‑point “programme for growth and employment” that overhauls several labour‑market rules. The package ends the pandemic‑era telephone sick note, requiring a doctor’s certificate from the first day of illness, and introduces an attestation requirement for all employees. It also relaxes dismissal protection for workers earning above €177,450 per year, allowing employers to file an unconditional termination request with a court from 1 January 2027, while offering tax incentives for rapid re‑employment. The reforms have drawn criticism from the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung, which called the new attestation “an unreasonable demand”, and from trade unions warning of a “culture of mistrust”.

In parallel, the Brandenburg state government concluded negotiations with civil‑service unions on two regulation packages. The first ties civil‑servant salaries and pensions to the nominal wage index retroactively from 1 January 2026, resulting in one‑time adjustments of 7‑17 % for A‑grade and about 18 % for B‑grade pay. Funding will come from the Brandenburg Pension Fund. The second package modifies the weekly working time of civil servants, raising it from 40 to 41 hours starting 1 March 2027, with a temporary provision until 31 July 2032 and provisions for part‑time work. Finance Minister Daniel Keller said the measures “resolve the long‑standing dispute over appropriate civil‑servant remuneration while giving the state fiscal relief”.