September 2025 | Germany | Occupational Accidents and Diseases
German Social Accident Insurance: Assessment recommendation for post-COVID published
Long-term consequences of the virus can include exhaustion, concentration problems and shortness of breath. If these symptoms persist for more than twelve weeks after infection, the condition is referred to as ‘post-COVID’. The assessment of these symptoms is important for social accident insurance to recognise the illness as an insured event. A new assessment recommendation for post-Covid, led by the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), aims to ensure a uniform and fair assessment of affected individuals. It is the result of close cooperation between numerous scientific and medical associations and institutions.
Post-COVID presents a complex clinical picture that can include various physical and psychological limitations. Various medical disciplines may be involved, such as neurology, pulmonology, and psychiatry. The new recommendation therefore enables a multidisciplinary assessment of the condition for the first time. A standardised, structured procedure ensures that each assessment is carried out competently and comprehensively in accordance with the latest scientific findings. Alongside taking a medical history and conducting a clinical examination, essential steps include specific tests, which may vary depending on the symptoms, and a follow-up assessment in certain cases.
Support in daily work
The DGUV issues assessment recommendations on various occupational diseases, such as noise-induced hearing loss (Königstein recommendation), work-related skin diseases (Bamberg recommendation), and work-related obstructive respiratory diseases (Reichenhall recommendation). These recommendations are intended to support assessors, case workers at social accident insurance institutions, and judges in their daily work. Assessment recommendations provide a consistent approach to assessment based on the latest medical and scientific knowledge. They provide guidance on issues such as the legally required causal link between work and illness, or the degree of reduction in earning capacity.
Further information (in German)
The new Post-Covid assessment recommendation can be downloaded via this link.
An overview of all assessment recommendations published to date is available on the German Social Accident Insurance website.
BG hospitals and the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for Health and Welfare Services (BGW) have developed a package of medical measures for individuals experiencing the consequences of work-related post-Covid conditions. More information on the post-Covid programme is available on the BG hospital website. ●