Can I take paid sick leave in Ireland?
Yes — you're entitled to statutory sick pay, though it's capped. Under the Sick Leave Act 2022, statutory sick pay (SSP) gives 5 paid sick days per calendar year in 2026 (it stayed at 5 — it did not rise to 7). It's paid by your employer at 70% of your normal daily pay, capped at €110 a day. You need at least 13 weeks' continuous service to qualify, and you must be certified by a doctor as unfit to work from day one. The sick-pay year runs 1 January to 31 December; the 5 days can be taken consecutively or separately, with no "waiting days," and unused days can't be carried over. If you're off longer than 5 days and have enough PRSI, you can claim Illness Benefit from day 6. In short: yes — five paid days at 70%, capped at €110.
📋 The rules
- 5 paid sick days per calendar year (2026)
- Paid at 70% of daily pay, capped at €110/day
- Need 13 weeks' continuous service
- Must be certified by a doctor from day one
- Unused days can't be carried over
🔓 Exceptions
- A more favourable company sick-pay scheme applies instead
- Some sectors (e.g. construction) have their own sick-pay scheme
- An employer in severe difficulty can seek a Labour Court exemption
⚠️ Penalties & fines
SSP is 5 days a year at 70% of pay, capped at €110 a day. If you're off sick for more than 5 days and have enough PRSI, you can claim Illness Benefit from the Department of Social Protection from day 6. Complaints about unpaid SSP go to the WRC within 6 months of the dispute (extendable to 12), and you're protected from penalisation or dismissal for claiming it. If your employer's own scheme is more favourable overall, you're paid under that instead — you can't claim SSP on top. Beware a myth: "statutory sick pay covers my full wage" is false — it's only 70% of normal pay and hard-capped at €110 a day, so higher earners get proportionally less. To claim: get a medical certificate from day one and tell your employer.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
How many paid sick days do I get?
Under the Sick Leave Act 2022, you're entitled to 5 statutory paid sick days per calendar year in 2026. The entitlement stayed at 5 days rather than rising further. The days can be taken consecutively or spread out, there are no waiting days, but any days you don't use can't be carried into the next year.
How much is statutory sick pay?
Statutory sick pay is paid by your employer at 70% of your normal daily pay, capped at €110 per day. So if 70% of your daily pay is above €110, you receive €110; if it's below, you get the 70% figure. It's a minimum entitlement — some employers offer more generous company schemes.
Do I qualify for sick pay?
To qualify for statutory sick pay you need at least 13 weeks of continuous service with your employer, and you must be certified by a registered medical practitioner as unfit to work from the first day of your sick leave. Without the 13 weeks' service or a medical certificate, the statutory entitlement doesn't apply.
What happens after my paid sick days run out?
Once you've used your statutory sick days, if you remain unfit for work and have enough PRSI contributions, you can apply for Illness Benefit from the Department of Social Protection, generally from day 6 of your illness. Some employers may also continue paying under a more generous company sick-pay scheme.
Can my employer refuse to pay it?
No, not if you qualify. Statutory sick pay is a legal entitlement once you meet the service and certification conditions. If your employer doesn't pay it, you can bring a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission within six months. You're also protected from being penalised or dismissed for claiming your sick-pay rights.
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