Can I take paid sick leave?
It depends on your insurance record and the new 2026 rules. Sick leave is granted only on a certificate issued by the doctor on the day of consultation, if you're insured. From 2026 there are important changes: for certificates issued between 1 February 2026 and 31 December 2027, the allowance is calculated by reducing one day (in practice, the first day of leave is unpaid). The percentages differ by duration: 55% for up to 7 days, 65% for 8–14 days and 75% for over 15 days of the calculation base. For temporary work incapacity, the employer covers days 2–6, and the rest is covered by FNUASS (the health fund). In short: yes, you're entitled to paid sick leave, but with the first day unpaid and a percentage that depends on how long the leave lasts.
📋 The rules
- Sick leave only on a doctor's certificate
- From 2026: the first day of leave is unpaid
- Percentages: 55% (≤7 days), 65% (8–14), 75% (over 15)
- The employer covers days 2–6
- The rest of the allowance: from FNUASS
🔓 Exceptions
- Certain illnesses (emergencies, serious conditions): may have special rules/percentages
- Insufficient insurance record: the right can be limited
- Certificate correctly issued on the consultation day: a payment condition
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Sick leave involves no "sanctions" for the employee but conditions of entitlement. To get the allowance, you must be insured, have the certificate correctly issued by the doctor on the consultation day, and prove the leave days used before. Note the 2026 changes: the first day is unpaid, and the percentage (55/65/75%) depends on the leave's duration. For the employer, not registering leave correctly or breaching the payment rules can cause problems at an inspection. To exercise your right: see the doctor, get the certificate, submit it to the employer on time and check how the allowance is calculated. For long leave, the 75% rate applies to periods over 15 days.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
How do I get sick leave?
Sick leave is granted only on a certificate issued by the treating doctor, completed on the day of consultation. To get it, you must prove your insured status and the number of sick-leave days used before. The certificate is then submitted to the employer for the allowance to be paid.
Is the first day of sick leave paid?
No, from 2026. For certificates issued between 1 February 2026 and 31 December 2027, the allowance is calculated by reducing one day, which means, in practice, that the first day of sick leave is no longer paid. It's one of the main changes that took effect in 2026.
What percentage of my salary do I get on sick leave?
The percentages differ by leave duration: 55% of the calculation base for up to 7 days, 65% for 8–14 days and 75% for leave over 15 days. For certain serious illnesses or emergencies there can be special, more favourable rules and percentages, provided by law.
Who pays the sick-leave allowance?
For temporary work incapacity, the employer covers days 2–6 of the leave, and the rest is covered by FNUASS, the national health-insurance fund. The first day is no longer paid from 2026. The employer calculates and pays the allowance under the rules in force.
What conditions must I meet?
You must be insured in the health system, have a sufficient insurance record and present a sick-leave certificate correctly issued by the doctor on the consultation day. Without insured status or a valid certificate, the right to the allowance can be limited or refused.
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