Sick Leave Ireland 2026: Entitlements and Pay

If you are a working person and have recently been ill and could not join your work, you might have lost your statutory entitlement, if you did not know about Sick Leave Ireland and the associated coverage of your short-term illness. It is important for you to understand that statutory entitlement is now permanently set at 5 paid days per year. Therefore, it is significant to have proper knowledge to receive pay, avoid absenteeism, and know when to apply for illness benefits.

This guide simplifies the sick leave Ireland processes and associated sick leave legislation. It also helps you in your confusion about statutory sick leave, illness benefit, company sick pay, and medical certification. In case of further confusion, Eirdoc online doctor services can help you with expert advice on the matter and also help you in issuing the related certificates.

Understanding Sick Leave in Ireland

If you live in Ireland, sick leave Ireland means the legal time that you can have without working when you are unable to work due to illness or injury. This means that your employer will pay you even if you cannot join work, provided that you fulfill the job criteria and sick leave conditions. Your employer can clearly mention if you are eligible for sick leave or not based on the employer’s policy. However, every employer in Ireland follows the related Irish laws and health policies.

Sick leave Ireland can be of various types, which means that when you apply for sick leave, you can have any of the following leaves from your office, as approved by your employer.

• Statutory sick leave
• Certified sick leave
• Company sick pay
• Self-certified sick leave
• Long-term illness sick leave

If you are sick and want to avail yourself of any of the above sick leave types, you can apply directly to your employer, and your employer will take appropriate action to either grant you paid or unpaid leave. In any case, you are required to submit a sick leave certificate to become entitled to the payments and benefits.

Sick leave Ireland has changed in 2023, allowing employers to have a statutory right to paid sick leave. As of January 2024, employees have a right to 5 days of sick pay a year.  These changes were made to introduce legal bindings among employers to practice the minimum standard for paid sick leave. These changes are significantly important for low-paid workers, as they can get the benefits of income when they are ill.

What Are Employees Entitled to in 2026?

1.     Statutory Sick Leave Entitlements for 2026

If you are a working person in Ireland, you are entitled to statutory sick leave, which means that you will enjoy paid sick leave days. Over the years, paid sick leave days have been increased to cover all workers and give them the right to receive compensation when they cannot join their work.

• Statutory sick leave scheme in 2023 legally required the employees to pay for 3 sick days.
• The Statutory Sick Leave Scheme in 2024 legally entitled employees to have 5 days of paid statutory sick leave per year.
• In 2025 and 2026, the Citizen Information website retains the number of paid sick leave of 5 days a year.

It is important to note that Statutory Sick Pay is paid by your employer at 70% of your normal pay. This means that your employer can pay you up to a maximum of €110 a day, under the requirements set for Statutory Sick Pay.

2.     Who Can Claim Statutory Sick Pay?

Sick pay Ireland qualifications include

• A documentary proof that you are a citizen of Ireland
• You are an employee with your employer
• You have worked for your employer for at least 13 continuous weeks
• You have been certified as ill by a medical practitioner

If you are curious to know whether your employment type can affect your Statutory Sick Pay, you must be aware that your employer will pay you if you are on probation, an intern, an apprentice, an agency worker, or over the state pension age. Moreover, you will also get sick pay if you are a part-time worker and have more than one job, provided that you meet the criteria.

Certified Sick Leave vs Self-Certified Sick Leave

1.     What Is Self-Certified Sick Leave?

A Self-Certified Sick Leave allows you to get benefits for a short-term leave from work. This is usually 7 days or less. You can apply for sick leave Ireland directly to your employer without providing a formal medical certificate or a sick note from your GP. Self-Certified Sick Leave is only applicable if you have a fever or an injury, and you can join your work after 7 consecutive days of absence.

2.     What Is Certified Sick Leave?

Certified Sick Leave Ireland is a formal approval from your employer to take leave due to illness or injury. However, Certified Sick Leave requires you to submit a sick note or a medical certificate stating that you cannot work. Certified Sick Leave is applied for a period of more than two consecutive days.

Online doctors like Eirdoc can support you in issuing a medical certificate and sick note, as required by your employer for getting compensation and Statutory Sick Pay.

How Much Sick Pay Can You Receive in Ireland?

Statutory Sick Pay Ireland is a legal requirement for employers who must provide the staff during sick leave. In this respect, you must know the minimum income protection that you can have from your employer.

As of 2026, you will get a minimum income protection of the 70% of your wages. Moreover, you can get up to a daily cap of €110. This means that, if 70% of your daily wage is less than €110, you are entitled to receive 70%. Similarly, if 70% of your daily wage is more than €110, you will only receive a maximum of €110.

Most of the employers ensure compliance by meeting the minimum standards. However, if your employer is generous, they can also offer a full salary continuation. In some cases, if you are sick for a longer period, you can transition to the illness benefit offered by the Department of Social Protection.

When Should You See a Doctor for Sick Leave?

If you are having symptoms of short-term illness and persistent symptoms of illness, you need to decide if you can go to work or not. In this case, it is important to consult your doctor and share your concern. Online doctor services like Eirdoc help you in understanding your medical needs and provide guidance on how to get illness benefits.

You can also reach out to your online doctor if you have concerns related to mental health, workplace stress, and repeated illness. Your doctor cannot only help you with the medical certificate but also guide you to avail illness benefits in case of sick leave Ireland. Online doctor services in Ireland are affordable, accessible, and convenient to offer you the full support and guidance, as required for Sick leave Ireland.

Conclusion

Sick Leave Ireland is a key employee, and the Government of Ireland has made it clear with its revision in the number of days for statutory paid sick leave. If you are ill for a short period, you can get an illness benefit from your employer for an amount payable at 70% of normal earnings and a maximum of €110/ day. Online doctor services like Eirdoc can help you with a sick note or medical certificate that you can present to your employer. Your online doctor can guide you to get sick pay and transition to an illness benefit for the long term.