Can I take time off work for my child's illness?
Yes: you have a right to leave for your child's illness. Employed parents can take time off work to care for a sick child. The rules change with the child's age: up to 3 years, the leave for the child's illness is unlimited in days (both parents can use it, but not on the same days); from 3 to 8 years, you're entitled to up to 5 working days a year per parent. These leaves, unless the collective agreement provides better, are generally unpaid, but covered by notional contributions and protected against dismissal. To use them you need the medical certificate attesting the child's illness. It's a right distinct from parental leave (which is broader and partly paid).
📋 The rules
- For employed parents, to care for the sick child
- Up to 3 years: leave unlimited in days
- From 3 to 8 years: 5 days a year per parent
- Generally unpaid (unless the agreement provides better)
- You need the child's-illness medical certificate
🔓 Exceptions
- Parents can't use the leave on the same days
- The collective agreement can provide more favourable terms (even pay)
- A right distinct from parental leave, which is broader and partly paid
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Leave for a child's illness is a right: the employer can't deny it to those who qualify and present the medical certificate, and penalising or dismissing for its use is unlawful. It must, however, be used for its purpose (caring for the sick child): abuse can entail disciplinary consequences. As it's generally unpaid leave, it affects the payslip for the absence days, but is covered by notional contributions for pension purposes. To organise yourself, also consider parental leave (partly paid) and your contract's provisions. Notify the employer of the absence and keep the paediatrician's certificate.
📎 Official sources
- INPS · Leave for a child's illness →
- Normattiva · Lgs. Decree 151/2001 (Maternity and Paternity Consolidated Act) →
- Ministry of Labour · Leave and work-life balance →
❓ Frequently asked
How many days can I take for my child's illness?
It depends on age. Up to the child's 3rd birthday the leave for the child's illness is unlimited in days. From 3 to 8 years you're entitled to up to 5 working days a year per parent. But parents can't use it on the same days.
Is leave for a child's illness paid?
Generally no: unless the collective agreement provides better, these leaves are unpaid. They are, however, covered by notional contributions for pension purposes and protected against dismissal. Parental leave, instead, is partly paid and is a different arrangement.
What do I need to take time off?
The medical certificate attesting the child's illness, issued by the paediatrician or doctor, and notice of the absence to the employer. The certificate is the prerequisite to use the leave for the child's illness and must be kept.
Can both parents take time off?
Yes, both employed parents have a right to leave for the child's illness, but can't use it on the same days for the same child. They alternate in the care, each presenting the certificate and notifying the absence to their employer.
Can the employer deny me this leave?
No, if you qualify and present the medical certificate. Leave for a child's illness is a right and the employer can't deny it or penalise its use; a dismissal for this reason would be unlawful. It must, though, actually be used to care for the sick child.
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