Sick leave rules in the Netherlands at a glance
Statutory rules for the Netherlands, checked against official government guidance on 15 October 2026.
| Tell your employer | Immediately, no later than the second calendar day, following your contract, CAO or absence protocol |
|---|---|
| Self certification | Ask your employer |
| Doctor's certificate needed from | Ask your employer |
| Certificate deadline | Ask your employer |
| Waiting days | 1 or 2 days, only if your contract or CAO says so |
| Employer pays | At least 70% of wages, for up to 104 weeks |
| State sickness benefit | Ziektewet: 70%, up to €304.25 a day (only if you have no employer) |
| Maximum duration | 2 years of employer pay |
| Last checked |
Who pays sick pay in the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands, employer pay: at least 70% of wages, for up to 104 weeks. State sickness benefit: Ziektewet: 70%, up to €304.25 a day (only if you have no employer).
- EmployerAt least 70% of wages, for up to 104 weeks
- State sickness benefitZiektewet: 70%, up to €304.25 a day (only if you have no employer)
- Sickness benefit
- Ziektewet
Work out your own figures with the sick pay calculator.
When do you need a doctor's note in the Netherlands?
Official guidance we checked does not yet confirm from which day the Netherlands requires a doctor's certificate, so ask your employer.
Self certification. Ask your employer
Certificate deadline. Ask your employer
Telling your employer. Immediately, no later than the second calendar day, following your contract, CAO or absence protocol
Check your own dates with the "do I need a note" tool, or see how to get a doctor's note in the Netherlands.
Worked example: 10 days off sick in the Netherlands
How a 10 day absence runs in the Netherlands, step by step. No money is worked out here.
| When | What happens | The rule |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tell your employer | Immediately, no later than the second calendar day, following your contract, CAO or absence protocol |
| Days 1 to 10 | Employer | At least 70% of wages, for up to 104 weeks |
Maximum duration: 2 years of employer pay
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 the Netherlands?
Your employer may not ask about your illness.
Only the company doctor or health and safety service may, and your employer must involve them within 1 week.
What if you work in the Netherlands but live in another country?
If you work in the Netherlands 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 the Netherlands (immediately, no later than the second calendar day, following your contract, CAO or absence protocol), and send any certificate to the body that pays you.
If your doctor is in another country, ask the paying body which format it accepts.
More on working in one country and living in another. Related tool: Fit to fly readiness checklist
Frequently asked questions
In the Netherlands your employer pays at least 70% of your wages for up to 2 years, which is 104 weeks. In the first year, your employer must top this up to the minimum wage if 70% falls below it. Report sick no later than the second calendar day of illness.
The rule for telling your employer in the Netherlands: immediately, no later than the second calendar day, following your contract, CAO or absence protocol.
Waiting days in the Netherlands: 1 or 2 days, only if your contract or CAO says so.
The maximum duration of sick pay in the Netherlands: 2 years of employer pay.
Sick leave rules in neighbouring countries
Compare the Netherlands with Belgium and Germany, or see all 42 countries side by side.
Have a question we did not answer? Ask the assistant.