Sick leave rules in Portugal at a glance
Statutory rules for Portugal, checked against official government guidance on 15 October 2026.
| Tell your employer | Unforeseeable absence: as soon as possible. Foreseeable: 5 days ahead |
|---|---|
| Self certification | SNS 24 self declaration: up to 3 consecutive days, twice per calendar year, requested within 5 days |
| Doctor's certificate needed from | Your employer may ask for proof within 15 days of being told; proof is a hospital or health centre declaration or a medical certificate |
| Certificate deadline | Within a reasonable period after the employer asks |
| Waiting days | 3 days |
| Employer pays | No legal duty |
| State sickness benefit | 55%, rising to 75% |
| Maximum duration | 1,095 days |
| Last checked |
Who pays sick pay in Portugal?
In Portugal, employer pay: no legal duty. State sickness benefit: 55%, rising to 75%.
- Waiting daysDays 1 to 33 days
- EmployerNo legal duty
- State sickness benefitFrom day 455%, rising to 75%
- Certificate
- SNS 24 self declaration
Work out your own figures with the sick pay calculator.
When do you need a doctor's note in Portugal?
In Portugal, a doctor's certificate is needed: your employer may ask for proof within 15 days of being told; proof is a hospital or health centre declaration or a medical certificate.
Self certification. SNS 24 self declaration: up to 3 consecutive days, twice per calendar year, requested within 5 days
Certificate deadline. Within a reasonable period after the employer asks
Telling your employer. Unforeseeable absence: as soon as possible. Foreseeable: 5 days ahead
Check your own dates with the "do I need a note" tool, or see how to get a doctor's note in Portugal.
Worked example: 10 days off sick in Portugal
How a 10 day absence runs in Portugal, step by step. No money is worked out here.
| When | What happens | The rule |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tell your employer | Unforeseeable absence: as soon as possible. Foreseeable: 5 days ahead |
| Days 1 to 3 | Waiting days | 3 days |
| Days 4 to 10 | State sickness benefit | 55%, rising to 75% |
Maximum duration: 1,095 days
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 Portugal?
You must request the SNS 24 self declaration within 5 days of the first day off.
Official pages do not confirm whether those days are paid.
What if you work in Portugal but live in another country?
If you work in Portugal 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 Portugal (unforeseeable absence: as soon as possible. Foreseeable: 5 days ahead), 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
The rule for telling your employer in Portugal: unforeseeable absence: as soon as possible. Foreseeable: 5 days ahead.
The certificate deadline in Portugal: within a reasonable period after the employer asks.
Waiting days in Portugal: 3 days.
The maximum duration of sick pay in Portugal: 1,095 days.
Self certification in Portugal: SNS 24 self declaration: up to 3 consecutive days, twice per calendar year, requested within 5 days.
Sick leave rules in neighbouring countries
Compare Portugal with Spain and France, or see all 42 countries side by side.
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