Sick leave rules in the United Kingdom at a glance
Statutory rules for the United Kingdom, checked against official government guidance on 15 October 2026.
| Tell your employer | By your employer's deadline, or within 7 days if none is set; form SC2 if they need it in writing |
|---|---|
| Self certification | Up to 7 days in a row; your employer can ask you to confirm the absence when you return |
| Doctor's certificate needed from | Day 8 (more than 7 days in a row, non working days counted) |
| Certificate deadline | Ask your employer |
| Waiting days | None from 6 April 2026 |
| Employer pays | Statutory Sick Pay of £123.25 a week or 80% of weekly earnings, whichever is lower |
| State sickness benefit | None while Statutory Sick Pay is paid; New Style ESA may follow |
| Maximum duration | 28 weeks of Statutory Sick Pay |
| Day count | Calendar days |
| Last checked |
Who pays sick pay in the United Kingdom?
In the United Kingdom, employer pay: Statutory Sick Pay of £123.25 a week or 80% of weekly earnings, whichever is lower. State sickness benefit: none while Statutory Sick Pay is paid; New Style ESA may follow.
- EmployerStatutory Sick Pay of £123.25 a week or 80% of weekly earnings, whichever is lower
- State sickness benefitNone while Statutory Sick Pay is paid; New Style ESA may follow
- Sickness benefit
- Statutory Sick Pay; New Style ESA
- Certificate
- Fit note
Work out your own figures with the sick pay calculator.
When do you need a doctor's note in the United Kingdom?
In the United Kingdom, a doctor's certificate is needed: day 8 (more than 7 days in a row, non working days counted).
Self certification. Up to 7 days in a row; your employer can ask you to confirm the absence when you return
Certificate deadline. Ask your employer
Telling your employer. By your employer's deadline, or within 7 days if none is set; form SC2 if they need it in writing
Check your own dates with the "do I need a note" tool, or see how to get a doctor's note in the United Kingdom.
Worked example: 10 days off sick in the United Kingdom
How a 10 day absence runs in the United Kingdom, step by step. No money is worked out here.
| When | What happens | The rule |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tell your employer | By your employer's deadline, or within 7 days if none is set; form SC2 if they need it in writing |
| Days 1 to 10 | Employer | Statutory Sick Pay of £123.25 a week or 80% of weekly earnings, whichever is lower |
| From day 8 | A doctor's certificate is normally needed | Day 8 (more than 7 days in a row, non working days counted) |
Maximum duration: 28 weeks of Statutory Sick 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 United Kingdom?
From 6 April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay starts on the first full day of sickness instead of the fourth.
A GP, hospital doctor, registered nurse, occupational therapist, pharmacist or physiotherapist can issue a fit note.
What if you work in the United Kingdom but live in another country?
If you work in the United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom (by your employer's deadline, or within 7 days if none is set), 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 UK you can self certify for up to 7 days. If you are off sick for more than 7 days in a row, including weekends and bank holidays, your employer can ask for a fit note. A GP, hospital doctor, registered nurse, occupational therapist, pharmacist or physiotherapist can issue it after assessing you.
UK Statutory Sick Pay is £123.25 a week or 80% of your normal weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Your employer pays it for up to 28 weeks. From 6 April 2026, pay starts from the first full day of sickness absence instead of the fourth day.
The rule for telling your employer in the United Kingdom: by your employer's deadline, or within 7 days if none is set; form SC2 if they need it in writing.
Waiting days in the United Kingdom: none from 6 April 2026.
The maximum duration of sick pay in the United Kingdom: 28 weeks of Statutory Sick Pay.
Sick leave rules in neighbouring countries
Compare the United Kingdom with Ireland and France, or see all 42 countries side by side.
Have a question we did not answer? Ask the assistant.