Am I entitled to paid sick leave?
Yes — employees are entitled to paid sick leave, and the right grows with seniority. The minimum is in law (no. 19/1979), but collective agreements do much better. On the general market (SGS/SA) you earn 2 days for each month worked in the first year on full replacement pay, 1 month after 1 year, 2 months after 2 years, 3 months after 3 years and up to 4 months after 5 years with the same company. The myth many believe: that an employer "may not ask for a medical certificate" in the first days — they may, and often do from day one. The right is based on continuous service with the same employer and is a total right in each 12-month period. After five years you keep part of the right even if you change jobs.
📋 The rules
- The minimum sick-leave right is in Act no. 19/1979, but collective agreements raise it substantially. The right is based on continuous service with the same employer.
- In the first year: 2 days for each month worked on full replacement pay — up to 24 days a year (SGS/SA).
- The right grows with seniority: 1 month after 1 year, 2 months after 2 years, 3 months after 3 years and 4 months after 5 years with the same company.
- Sick leave is a total right in each 12-month period, not per sickness case. After five years you keep part of the right even if you change jobs.
- Medical certificate: the employer may require one, often from day one, and the employee must report illness without delay to keep the right.
🔓 Exceptions
- Accidents at work and occupational illness follow special rules and can give a stronger right than ordinary sickness under the collective agreement.
- Public employees and other sectors have their own sick-leave table; the right of state employees is often more generous than on the general market.
- The right to pay during a child's illness is separate and comes on top of the employee's own sick-leave right under the collective agreement.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Sick leave is an earned agreement-based right, so if an employer refuses to pay wages during illness the employee is entitled to, it is an unpaid wage claim. The union can collect it on the member's behalf, where applicable with default interest. The right can, however, lapse if the employee fails to meet their duties: to report illness without delay and to produce a medical certificate when required — neglecting that can cost the wages for the days in question. The hidden cost for employees is not knowing their own step and not realising the right is a total right over a 12-month period, not renewed at each case. For employers the risk is confusing replacement pay and daytime pay in the table and thereby underpaying wages that surface later. After five years of service part of the right follows the employee on.
📎 Official sources
- Ísland.is · Sick leave rights →
- Starfsgreinasamband Íslands (SGS union) · sick leave →
- ASÍ (Confederation of Labour) · labour law portal (sick leave) →
❓ Frequently asked
How many sick days am I entitled to?
In the first year you earn 2 days for each month worked on full pay, up to 24 days a year. The right then grows with seniority: one month after 1 year, two after 2 years, three after 3 years and up to four months after five years with the same company.
Do I get full pay while sick?
In the first year and the first month after it, replacement pay is paid, that is full pay as if you were at work. As time goes on daytime pay blends into the table, so the share of full pay depends on seniority and the length of the illness under the collective agreement.
Can the employer ask for a medical certificate?
Yes, the employer may require a medical certificate, and it is often requested from the first day of illness. The employee must also report the illness without delay, because neglecting the notice or certificate can cost the wages for the days in question.
Is the sick-leave right new for each illness?
No, sick leave is a total right in each 12-month period, not for each case separately. Days already used in the period are deducted, so long or repeated illnesses can draw on the same right within the year.
Do I keep my sick-leave right if I change jobs?
After five years of continuous service with the same company an employee keeps part of their sick-leave right even when moving to other work. Otherwise the right is based on continuous service with the same employer and builds up anew with a new employer.
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