A sick certificate (sick cert, sick note or medical certificate) is a doctor’s written confirmation that you are unfit for work or study. In Ireland you need one from day one to claim Statutory Sick Pay, from day one of an Illness Benefit claim, and whenever your employer’s policy asks for it — usually after two or three days off. You can get one from your GP or, the same day, from an Irish Medical Council registered doctor online. This guide explains when you need a cert, when you don’t, what it costs, what it must contain, and how to get one in under two hours.
When do you actually need a sick cert?
| Situation | Do you need a cert? | From which day |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from your employer | Yes — it is a legal condition of SSP | Day 1 of the illness |
| Your employer’s own sick leave policy | Depends on the policy; most allow 1–3 days self-certified | Usually day 3 or 4 |
| Illness Benefit from the DSP | Yes — a Certificate of Incapacity for Work | Day 1 of the claim (payment starts after 3 waiting days, or day 6 if SSP was paid) |
| College or school absence, missed exam | Usually yes for a deferral or extension | Whatever the institution’s policy says — check first |
| Returning to work after a long absence | Sometimes — a fit to work certificate | On your return date |
Do I need a sick cert for one day?
Not by law. There is no statutory rule that forces you to produce a cert for a single day’s absence. Two things change that:
- If you want Statutory Sick Pay for that day, you need a cert. SSP is only payable for certified days, even if it is just one.
- If your contract or staff handbook says so. Many Irish employers allow one to three days of self-certified sick leave, then require a doctor’s cert. Some require one from day one. Read your policy before you assume.
If you take a lot of short uncertified absences, an employer can also start asking for a cert for every absence — that is lawful.
What does a sick cert cost in Ireland?
| Where | Typical cost | Time to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Your own GP (private patient) | €50–€70 for the consultation; some charge €20–€30 for the cert alone | Next available appointment — often 2–5 days |
| GP with a medical card | Free consultation; some practices charge a small fee for the cert | Same as above |
| Online doctor (Eirdoc) | €39 | Same day, usually within 2 hours |
Can I get a free sick note online?
No legitimate free sick notes exist in Ireland. A valid cert must be issued by a registered doctor after an assessment, and that assessment has to be paid for — by you, or by the HSE if you hold a medical card. Websites offering “free” or “instant” sick notes without a consultation are producing documents your employer can reject and that could put you in breach of your contract. If cost is the problem, a medical card holder can get a free GP consultation, and an online consultation is usually cheaper than a private GP visit.
Can I get a sick note without seeing the doctor?
You cannot get a valid cert without a doctor assessing you, but you do not have to be seen in person. An online video or phone consultation with an Irish Medical Council registered doctor counts as an assessment. The doctor asks about your symptoms, how long you have been unwell and what work you do, and decides whether you are unfit for work and for how long. If they think you need an examination they will tell you to see a GP or attend a clinic instead.
What a doctor will not do, online or in person, is backdate a certificate to days before you were assessed. They can record that you reported being unwell from an earlier date, which most employers accept, but the certificate itself is dated when it is issued.
Are online sick certs accepted?
By employers: yes, if the cert is issued by a doctor registered with the Irish Medical Council and shows the doctor’s name, IMC number and contact details. The Sick Leave Act 2022 requires a certificate from a “registered medical practitioner” for SSP — it does not require the consultation to be in person. If an employer refuses a valid cert, ask them to put the reason in writing.
By the Department of Social Protection: yes, for Illness Benefit claims, the DSP accepts certificates from online doctors for the first 6 weeks of an illness, on headed paper showing the doctor’s name and IMC number. After 6 weeks the DSP needs certs from your own GP or treating hospital. Our Illness Benefit guide explains the full claim process.
By colleges and schools: most accept online certs for deferrals and extensions, but policies vary — check your student handbook or the exams office.
How to get a sick cert online in Ireland
- Book. Go to Eirdoc’s booking page and choose a consultation time — same-day slots are usually available.
- Fill in a short form. Your details, your symptoms, when they started, and whether the cert is for work, college or an Illness Benefit claim.
- Speak to the doctor. A video or phone consultation with an Irish Medical Council registered doctor.
- Receive your cert. It is emailed to you securely, usually within two hours of the consultation, as a PDF you can forward to HR or upload to MyWelfare.ie.
If your illness goes on longer than the cert covers, book a follow-up for an extension — the doctor will reassess rather than extend automatically.
What conditions can be certified online?
Most short-term illnesses that keep you off work can be assessed remotely:
- Cold, flu, COVID-19, chest and throat infections
- Gastro illness — vomiting, diarrhoea, food poisoning
- Migraine and severe headache
- Minor infections such as UTI, ear, sinus or skin infections
- Back pain, sprains and minor injuries
- Stress, burnout, anxiety and low mood affecting your ability to work
- Period pain and other short-term gynaecological symptoms
Conditions that need a physical examination, a serious or worsening illness, or anything the doctor cannot safely assess on video will be referred to a GP, out-of-hours service or emergency department instead.
What is written on a sick certificate?
A valid Irish medical certificate contains:
- Your full name and date of birth
- The doctor’s name, qualifications, Irish Medical Council registration number, practice address and signature or stamp
- The date you were assessed and the date the cert was issued
- A statement that you are unfit for work (or study), and the period it covers
- Whether a follow-up review is needed
It does not have to state your diagnosis. Your employer is entitled to know that you are unfit and for how long, not what is wrong with you. If you want the diagnosis left off, tell the doctor — most certs say “medical illness” or similar unless you ask otherwise. For Illness Benefit the DSP does see the diagnosis, but that goes to the Department, not your employer.
Sick cert and Statutory Sick Pay: how they work together
Under the Sick Leave Act 2022 you are entitled to up to 5 days of Statutory Sick Pay a year at 70% of your normal pay, capped at €110 a day, as long as you have 13 weeks’ service and a medical certificate from day one of each absence. After the 5 SSP days, Illness Benefit from the DSP can take over if you have the PRSI contributions — see our guide to sick leave entitlements in Ireland for the full rules and what to do if your employer does not pay.
Frequently asked questions
How fast can I get a sick certificate online? Usually within two hours of your consultation. Same-day appointments are normally available, including evenings and weekends.
Will my employer accept an online sick cert? Yes, if it is issued by an Irish Medical Council registered doctor and shows their name and registration number. The law requires a registered medical practitioner, not an in-person visit.
Do I need a sick cert for one day off work? Not by law, but you need one to claim Statutory Sick Pay for that day, and your employer’s policy may require one. Many employers allow 1–3 self-certified days.
Can I get a free sick note online in Ireland? No. A valid cert requires a paid consultation with a registered doctor, or a free one if you have a medical card. “Free” instant sick notes without a consultation are not valid.
Can a doctor backdate a sick cert? No. A cert is dated on the day of assessment. The doctor can note that you reported being unwell from an earlier date.
Does a sick cert have to say what is wrong with me? No. It must say you are unfit for work and for how long. You can ask the doctor to leave the diagnosis off the version that goes to your employer.
Can I get a sick cert for college or an exam? Yes. Online certs are accepted by most Irish colleges for deferrals and extensions, but check your institution’s policy first.
Can I get a sick cert and a fit to work cert from the same doctor? Yes. If you are returning after a longer absence, book a follow-up and the doctor can issue a fit to work certificate after reassessing you.
Need a sick cert today?
Eirdoc’s Irish Medical Council registered doctors can assess you by video and email your certificate the same day — valid for your employer, Statutory Sick Pay and Illness Benefit claims. Book your online consultation.
Sources
- Sick leave and sick pay — Citizens Information
- Illness Benefit — gov.ie
- Illness Benefit, Injury Benefit and Statutory Sick Leave in 2026 — gov.ie
- Statutory sick leave to remain at 5 days — Department of Enterprise
- Irish Medical Council — check a doctor’s registration
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for individual advice from your employer, the Department of Social Protection or a medical professional.