COVID-19: Occupational Disease Recognition

COVID-19 Increasingly Recognized as Occupational Hazard in Germany

Over 60% of reported COVID-19 illnesses are now being recognized as work-related by German statutory accident insurance providers, highlighting the lasting impact of the pandemic on the nation’s workforce.

Germany’s federal government recently announced that, as of the end of 2024, approximately 396,000 out of 628,500 reported COVID-19 illnesses have been officially recognized as either occupational diseases or accidents at work. This represents a notable recognition rate of 63%, according to a response to a query from the Die Linke faction (BT print 21/3714). The data underscores a growing acknowledgment of the risks faced by essential workers and others during the height of the pandemic.

The recognition process hinges on establishing a clear link between the illness and the individual’s occupation. A senior official emphasized that, unlike the country’s health and pension insurance systems, statutory accident insurance operates on a principle of causal compensation. This means a direct connection between work and the illness must be proven for benefits to be awarded.

Did you know? – Germany’s statutory accident insurance system differs from health and pension insurance by requiring a direct causal link between work and illness for benefits. this makes proving COVID-19 as an occupational disease more complex.

However, the incidence of reported occupational diseases is declining as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs noted that the number of suspected occupational disease reports fell substantially in 2024,reaching 104,468 – a 30.5% decrease from the 150,368 reports filed in 2023. This trend is mirrored in the number of recognitions, which also decreased to 29,306 cases in 2024, down from 74,930 the previous year.

Beyond COVID-19, overall workplace safety metrics also show a slight improvement. Reportable work accidents decreased by 3.4% in 2024, totaling 810,399 incidents (compared to 838,792 in 2023). Tragically, 440 work accidents proved fatal in 2024, a decrease from 499 in the prior year. Commuting accidents also saw a reduction, falling 5.9% to 175,560, with 219 resulting in fatalities – down from 225.

Pro tip – Employers should review their risk assessments and safety protocols to address potential long-term health consequences related to COVID-19 exposure in the workplace.

Readers interested in learning more about occupational diseases can find additional facts in the November 2025 issue of the trade magazine Gute arbeit, specifically in the article “BK law as a challenge.” Subscribers to the online edition of Gute Arbeit have access to the magazine’s full archive dating back to 2012.

These figures, released through announcements from the German Bundestag on January 27th, 2026, and the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs on December 10th, 2025, paint a picture of a workforce gradually recovering from the acute risks of the pandemic, while still grappling with its long-term consequences.

Reader question – How might the evolving understanding of long COVID impact future occupational disease recognition rates and worker protections? Share your thoughts.