How much do I get on sick leave?
Conditional: you're entitled to sickness benefit, but with a waiting period and variable percentages. The basis is Decree-Law 28/2004. With a Temporary Incapacity Certificate (CIT) from the SNS, it's Social Security (not the employer) that pays. There's a 3-day unpaid wait: the benefit starts on day 4. The percentage of reference pay rises with duration: 55% (days 1–30), 60% (31–90), 70% (91–365) and 75% (366+). The maximum is 1,095 days (3 years). Self-declaration of illness justifies up to 3 days, twice a year, but pays no benefit. In short: yes, but only from day 4 and by percentage.
📋 The rules
- Paid by Social Security, with an SNS CIT
- 3 unpaid waiting days; benefit from day 4
- 55% to 75% of pay, by duration
- Maximum 1,095 days (3 years)
- Self-declaration: 3 days, twice/year, no benefit
🔓 Exceptions
- +5 points if pay ≤ €500 or with 3+ dependent children
- No wait for hospitalisation/surgery; tuberculosis paid at 80%
- Self-employed: 10 waiting days, maximum 365 days
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There's no "fine" for sick leave — there are payment rules. The first 3 days (employees) aren't paid by Social Security, and the benefit is 55% to 75% of reference pay (average of the first 6 of the last 8 months), with an IAS-linked minimum. Working while on leave or missing the medical board can mean losing the benefit and justify dismissal. Beware the Brazil confusion: there the employer pays the first 15 days and then the INSS (auxílio-doença); in Portugal there's no such employer-paid period — just 3 unpaid days then Social Security. To organise yourself: get the CIT, count the 3 waiting days and attend the medical board when summoned.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Who pays for sick leave?
It's Social Security that pays the sickness benefit, not the employer. For that, you need a Temporary Incapacity Certificate, the CIT, issued by an SNS doctor. The employer isn't required to pay the days of leave, unlike in some other countries.
Are the first days of leave paid?
No, as a rule. For employees there's a 3-day waiting period that isn't paid by Social Security. The sickness benefit only starts being paid from the fourth day. Self-employed workers have a longer waiting period, of ten days.
How much will I get in sickness benefit?
It depends on the duration of the leave. The benefit is 55% of reference pay in the first 30 days, 60% between days 31 and 90, 70% between days 91 and 365 and 75% from day 366. There's an extra 5 points in certain low-income cases or with children.
How long can I be on sick leave?
The sickness benefit can be paid for a maximum of 1,095 days, i.e. three years, for employees. Self-employed workers have a shorter limit, of 365 days. Once the period is exhausted, the situation is reassessed, possibly followed by an incapacity evaluation.
Does self-declaration of illness pay a benefit?
No. Self-declaration of illness lets you justify absences of up to three consecutive days, at most twice a year, without seeing a doctor, but it gives no right to any benefit. It only counts as a justified absence. To receive sickness benefit, the medical CIT is required.
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