Sick leave rules in Denmark at a glance
Statutory rules for Denmark, checked against official government guidance on 15 October 2026.
| Tell your employer | As soon as possible, no later than 2 hours after your working time starts, unless a staff circular sets another deadline |
|---|---|
| Self certification | Your employer cannot require a written sick report before the second day of absence |
| Doctor's certificate needed from | No fixed day; your employer can ask for a doctor's statement at any point and pays for it |
| Certificate deadline | Within the reasonable deadline the employer sets |
| Waiting days | None |
| Employer pays | 30 calendar days, after 8 weeks and 74 hours of service |
| State sickness benefit | Municipality sickness benefit, up to 5,085 kroner a week |
| Maximum duration | 22 weeks in 9 months |
| Day count | Sundays and public holidays not counted |
| Last checked |
Who pays sick pay in Denmark?
In Denmark, employer pay: 30 calendar days, after 8 weeks and 74 hours of service. State sickness benefit: municipality sickness benefit, up to 5,085 kroner a week.
- EmployerDays 1 to 3030 calendar days, after 8 weeks and 74 hours of service
- State sickness benefitMunicipality sickness benefit, up to 5,085 kroner a week
- Sickness benefit
- Sygedagpenge
- Official body
- Your municipality
Work out your own figures with the sick pay calculator.
When do you need a doctor's note in Denmark?
In Denmark, a doctor's certificate is needed: no fixed day; your employer can ask for a doctor's statement at any point and pays for it.
Self certification. Your employer cannot require a written sick report before the second day of absence
Certificate deadline. Within the reasonable deadline the employer sets
Telling your employer. As soon as possible, no later than 2 hours after your working time starts, unless a staff circular sets another deadline
Check your own dates with the "do I need a note" tool, or see how to get a doctor's note in Denmark.
Worked example: 10 days off sick in Denmark
How a 10 day absence runs in Denmark, step by step. No money is worked out here.
| When | What happens | The rule |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tell your employer | As soon as possible, no later than 2 hours after your working time starts, unless a staff circular sets another deadline |
| Days 1 to 10 | Employer | 30 calendar days, after 8 weeks and 74 hours of service |
Maximum duration: 22 weeks in 9 months
For your own figures, use the sick pay calculator. It reads the same checked data as this page.
What is different about sick leave in Denmark?
Report sick no later than 2 hours after your working time starts, unless your workplace sets another deadline.
Report late and employer paid benefit starts only the next day.
What if you work in Denmark but live in another country?
If you work in Denmark and live in another country, you are usually covered by the social security system where you work, so the rules on this page apply.
Report sick by the rule in Denmark (as soon as possible, no later than 2 hours after your working time starts, unless a staff circular sets another deadline), and send any certificate to the body that pays you (your municipality).
If your doctor is in another country, ask the paying body (your municipality) which format it accepts.
More on working in one country and living in another. Related tool: Fit to fly readiness checklist
Frequently asked questions
The rule for telling your employer in Denmark: as soon as possible, no later than 2 hours after your working time starts, unless a staff circular sets another deadline.
The certificate deadline in Denmark: within the reasonable deadline the employer sets.
Waiting days in Denmark: none.
The maximum duration of sick pay in Denmark: 22 weeks in 9 months.
Self certification in Denmark: your employer cannot require a written sick report before the second day of absence.
Sick leave rules in neighbouring countries
Compare Denmark with Germany and Sweden, or see all 42 countries side by side.
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