Sick leave rules in Montenegro at a glance
Statutory rules for Montenegro, checked against official government guidance on 15 October 2026.
| Tell your employer | Deliver a doctor's certificate within 3 days |
|---|---|
| Self certification | None found |
| Doctor's certificate needed from | Day 1 |
| Certificate deadline | Certificate within 3 days of the start; report on incapacity within 5 days of its issue |
| Waiting days | None |
| Employer pays | The first 60 days, at least 70% |
| State sickness benefit | The Fund refunds 70% after 60 days |
| Maximum duration | Disability review after 10 months |
| Last checked |
Who pays sick pay in Montenegro?
In Montenegro, employer pay: the first 60 days, at least 70%. State sickness benefit: the Fund refunds 70% after 60 days.
- EmployerDays 1 to 60The first 60 days, at least 70%
- State sickness benefitFrom day 61The Fund refunds 70% after 60 days
- Official body
- Health Insurance Fund
Work out your own figures with the sick pay calculator.
When do you need a doctor's note in Montenegro?
In Montenegro, a doctor's certificate is needed: day 1.
Self certification. None found
Certificate deadline. Certificate within 3 days of the start; report on incapacity within 5 days of its issue
Telling your employer. Deliver a doctor's certificate within 3 days
Check your own dates with the "do I need a note" tool, or see how to get a doctor's note in Montenegro.
Worked example: 70 days off sick in Montenegro
How a 70 day absence runs in Montenegro, step by step. No money is worked out here.
| When | What happens | The rule |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tell your employer | Deliver a doctor's certificate within 3 days |
| Days 1 to 60 | Employer | The first 60 days, at least 70% |
| From day 1 | A doctor's certificate is normally needed | Day 1 |
| Days 61 to 70 | State sickness benefit | The Fund refunds 70% after 60 days |
Maximum duration: Disability review after 10 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 Montenegro?
In Montenegro you deliver a doctor's certificate within 3 days, and a report on incapacity within 5 days of its issue.
Your employer pays the first 60 days at least 70%, and the Fund refunds 70% after that. Disability is reviewed after 10 months.
What if you work in Montenegro but live in another country?
If you work in Montenegro 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 Montenegro (deliver a doctor's certificate within 3 days), and send any certificate to the body that pays you (Health Insurance Fund).
If your doctor is in another country, ask the paying body (Health Insurance Fund) 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 Montenegro: deliver a doctor's certificate within 3 days.
The certificate deadline in Montenegro: certificate within 3 days of the start; report on incapacity within 5 days of its issue.
Waiting days in Montenegro: none.
The maximum duration of sick pay in Montenegro: disability review after 10 months.
Self certification in Montenegro: none found.
Sick leave rules in neighbouring countries
Compare Montenegro with Serbia and Albania, or see all 42 countries side by side.
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