This guide is general information about healthcare in Ireland. It is not a substitute for advice from a doctor who has assessed you. In an emergency, call 112 or 999.
What is a sick cert?
A sick cert is a medical certificate from a doctor stating that, in their professional opinion, you are not fit to work for a set period. In Ireland it is used for three main things:
- Statutory sick pay from your employer
- Your employer's own sick pay scheme, if it has one
- Illness Benefit, a weekly social welfare payment if you are out of work sick for longer
Colleges and universities also ask for medical certificates when you miss an exam or need an extension on coursework. Each has its own rules about what the cert must include and how quickly you must hand it in.
Statutory sick pay: when you need a cert
Since the Sick Leave Act 2022 came into force, most employees in Ireland have a legal right to paid sick leave. As of late 2026 the rules are:
| Days per year | 5 days of statutory sick leave per calendar year |
|---|---|
| Pay | 70% of your normal daily pay, up to a maximum of €110 a day, paid by your employer |
| Who qualifies | Employees with at least 13 weeks' continuous service with that employer |
| Cert needed? | Yes. Only days certified by a registered medical practitioner count |
The law originally planned to increase statutory sick leave to 7 days in 2025 and 10 days in 2026. Those increases did not go ahead, and the Government has said it has no current plans to change the 5-day entitlement. Check the Workplace Relations Commission for the latest position.
Many employers offer better terms than the legal minimum, such as full pay for a number of weeks. Those schemes have their own rules about when a cert is needed. Some ask for one from the first day, others only after two or three days. Your contract or staff handbook should say.
Illness Benefit if you are off for longer
If you are unable to work for a longer period, or your employer does not pay sick pay, you may qualify for Illness Benefit from the Department of Social Protection. It depends on your PRSI contributions.
- Your GP can usually send the medical certificate to the Department electronically. If they cannot, they will give you a paper certificate to send in with your claim.
- The first three days of illness are waiting days, which are not paid.
- You should apply within six weeks of becoming ill. Late claims may lose payment.
- If you are off for a long time, your GP will need to keep certifying you for as long as you are unfit for work.
The full rules, including how Illness Benefit fits with statutory sick pay, are on gov.ie.
What a GP needs from you
A doctor cannot sign a cert simply because you or your employer ask for one. They need to assess you and agree that your illness stops you doing your job. To help them, be ready to explain:
- your symptoms and when they started
- what your job involves, physically and mentally
- which parts of your work you cannot do at the moment
- how long you expect to be off, and anything that would help you return sooner
Sometimes a doctor will suggest a phased return or lighter duties instead of a full period off. That is a normal part of good care and can be discussed with your employer.
What goes on a sick cert
A cert normally includes your name, the dates you are unfit for work, the date you were assessed, and the doctor's name, signature and registration number. It may also include a brief reason.
You can ask your GP to describe the reason in general terms if you would prefer your employer not to know the details. A doctor must be accurate, though. They cannot write something they do not believe to be true, or leave out something that changes the meaning of the cert.
Backdating a sick cert
A GP can only certify what they can assess. If you see a doctor on a Thursday after being unwell since Monday, they can record that you told them your illness started on Monday and give their opinion from the day they saw you. They should not certify a period in the past that they had no way of judging. If you are unwell, contacting a doctor early makes this simpler.
Getting a sick cert after an online consultation
In Ireland, a doctor can issue a medical certificate after a video or phone consultation, as long as they can assess you safely and properly that way. Many short illnesses, such as a stomach bug, a bad flu or a flare of back pain, can be assessed remotely.
Remote assessment is not always enough. If your symptoms need an examination, or the doctor is not satisfied they have the full picture, they may ask you to be seen in person. A good online service will be clear about this up front. Read more in our guide to how online GP consultations work in Ireland.
Check what you will be charged before your appointment. Some services include a cert in the consultation fee and others charge separately. Our guide to private GP costs in Ireland has more on fees.
A note for employers and HR teams: a GP's cert is a medical opinion about fitness for work. It is not a decision about pay, discipline or entitlement, and it cannot include confidential details without the employee's consent. If you need a fuller assessment of someone's fitness for a particular role, an occupational health referral is usually the right route.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a sick cert for one day off work in Ireland?
To be paid under the statutory sick leave scheme, yes. Statutory sick pay only covers days that are certified by a registered medical practitioner, even if you are off for a single day. Your employer may have its own, more generous sick pay policy with different rules, so check your contract or staff handbook.
How many paid sick days am I entitled to in Ireland?
Employees with at least 13 weeks' continuous service are entitled to 5 days of statutory sick leave a year, paid by the employer at 70% of normal daily pay up to €110 a day. Increases to 7 and 10 days were planned but did not go ahead. Many employers offer more under their own sick pay schemes.
Can a GP backdate a sick cert?
A GP can only certify what they can honestly assess. They can record that they saw you on a particular date and that you told them you had been unwell since an earlier date, but they should not certify a period they had no way of judging. If you are ill, it is best to contact a doctor early in the illness rather than afterwards.
Can I get a sick cert after an online or phone consultation?
Yes, a doctor can issue a cert after a remote consultation if they can assess you properly and agree you are unfit for work. It is still a medical judgement, so it is not guaranteed. Our guide to how online GP consultations work explains what to expect.
Does my sick cert have to say what is wrong with me?
Not always. A cert must show the dates you are unfit for work and identify the doctor, but you can ask your GP to describe the reason in general terms if you would rather your employer did not know the details. Certs for Illness Benefit go to the Department of Social Protection rather than your employer.
Can I get a sick cert from a GP out-of-hours service?
Generally not. GP out-of-hours services are for urgent medical problems when your surgery is closed, and the HSE says they are not for routine things like medical certificates. Contact your own GP, or another GP, during normal hours.
Sources and further reading
- Workplace Relations Commission – Sick leave
- Citizens Information – Sick leave and sick pay
- gov.ie – Illness Benefit
- HSE – When to go to a GP out of hours
From AccessGP
Checked against official Irish sources. Last checked 5 November 2026.