Lääkärintodistus (Medical Certificate)

Detailed explanation

When you are ill and unable to work, Finnish labor law and most collective agreements allow you to stay home without a doctor's certificate for a short period, typically the first 1–3 days depending on your employer's policy and the applicable collective agreement. For longer absences, you need a medical certificate from a licensed doctor.

The certificate states the diagnosis (with the patient's consent), the recommended period of absence, and any work capacity limitations. It does not need to reveal detailed medical information to the employer. The certificate is typically issued using the standard A-todistus form for short absences or B-todistus for longer periods (used for Kela sickness allowance applications).

Finnish occupational healthcare (työterveys) is usually the first point of contact for getting a medical certificate if your employer provides it. Otherwise, you can visit a health center or private doctor.

How it affects expats

• •Know your employer's policy: Ask during onboarding how many self-reported sick days are allowed before a certificate is needed

• •Occupational health first: If your employer has työterveys, use that service

• •it is free and usually fast

• •Kela sickness allowance: For absences longer than the employer-paid period (typically 10 days), you need a B-certificate for Kela's sickness allowance

• •Remote work: Some employers accept a phone consultation for the certificate

• •ask your työterveys provider

• •Private doctor: A certificate from any licensed doctor in Finland is valid, not only from occupational health

Key details

• •A-todistus: Short-term sick leave certificate for the employer

• •B-todistus: Certificate for Kela sickness allowance (longer absences)

• •Self-notification: Usually 1–3 days allowed without a certificate, depending on employer policy

• •Employer-paid period: Typically the first 1+9 sick days are paid by the employer

• •Cost: Free through occupational healthcare; health center fees apply otherwise

Related terms

• •Sairausloma (Sick Leave) — paid sick leave rules

• •Työterveys (Occupational Healthcare) — employer-provided healthcare

• •Kela — sickness allowance provider