Sick leave rules in Italy at a glance
Statutory rules for Italy, checked against official government guidance on 15 October 2026.
| Tell your employer | Promptly; give the PUC protocol number if asked |
|---|---|
| Self certification | None found; a certificate is needed even for one day |
| Doctor's certificate needed from | Day 1 |
| Certificate deadline | Doctor sends it to INPS online; a paper certificate goes to INPS, with a copy without diagnosis to the employer, within 2 days of issue |
| Waiting days | 3 days |
| Employer pays | Advances the INPS benefit |
| State sickness benefit | INPS: 50% for days 4 to 20, 66.66% for days 21 to 180 |
| Maximum duration | 180 days a year |
| Last checked |
Who pays sick pay in Italy?
In Italy, employer pay: advances the INPS benefit. State sickness benefit: INPS: 50% for days 4 to 20, 66.66% for days 21 to 180.
- Waiting daysDays 1 to 33 days
- State sickness benefitDays 4 to 180INPS: 50% for days 4 to 20, 66.66% for days 21 to 180
- EmployerAdvances the INPS benefit
- Official body
- INPS
Work out your own figures with the sick pay calculator.
When do you need a doctor's note in Italy?
In Italy, a doctor's certificate is needed: day 1.
Self certification. None found; a certificate is needed even for one day
Certificate deadline. Doctor sends it to INPS online; a paper certificate goes to INPS, with a copy without diagnosis to the employer, within 2 days of issue
Telling your employer. Promptly; give the PUC protocol number if asked
Check your own dates with the "do I need a note" tool, or see how to get a doctor's note in Italy.
Worked example: 10 days off sick in Italy
How a 10 day absence runs in Italy, step by step. No money is worked out here.
| When | What happens | The rule |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tell your employer | Promptly; give the PUC protocol number if asked |
| Days 1 to 3 | Waiting days | 3 days |
| From day 1 | A doctor's certificate is normally needed | Day 1 |
| Days 4 to 10 | State sickness benefit | INPS: 50% for days 4 to 20, 66.66% for days 21 to 180 |
Maximum duration: 180 days a year
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 Italy?
Private sector workers must be at home for checks from 10:00 to 12:00 and 17:00 to 19:00.
Many contracts make the employer pay the first 3 days.
What if you work in Italy but live in another country?
If you work in Italy 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 Italy (promptly), and send any certificate to the body that pays you (INPS).
If your doctor is in another country, ask the paying body (INPS) 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 Italy: promptly; give the PUC protocol number if asked.
The certificate deadline in Italy: doctor sends it to INPS online; a paper certificate goes to INPS, with a copy without diagnosis to the employer, within 2 days of issue.
Waiting days in Italy: 3 days.
The maximum duration of sick pay in Italy: 180 days a year.
Self certification in Italy: none found; a certificate is needed even for one day.
Sick leave rules in neighbouring countries
Compare Italy with France and Austria, or see all 42 countries side by side.
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