Sairausloma: sick leave

Detailed explanation

When you're too ill to work in Finland, you have the right to stay home and recover. The first days of sickness are typically covered by your employer, after which Kela (the Social Insurance Institution) may pay sickness benefit (sairauspäiväraha) for longer absences.

The Finnish Employment Contracts Act protects employees from dismissal due to illness. Your employer cannot terminate your employment simply because you're sick, and you're entitled to return to your position after recovery. However, very long or repeated absences may in some cases affect employment, particularly if they prevent you from performing your essential job duties.

Different rules apply depending on how long you're ill:

Short absences (1-3 days): Many workplaces allow self-certification. You notify your employer and don't need a doctor's note. Medium absences (4-7 days): Your employer may require a medical certificate from a nurse or doctor. Longer absences (over a week): A doctor's certificate is almost always required, and Kela's sickness benefit may kick in after a waiting period.

How it affects expats

• •Notification required: Always inform your employer as soon as possible when you're sick

• •Workplace rules vary: Check your employment contract and workplace policies for specific procedures

• •Occupational healthcare: Use your employer's occupational health service for sick leave certificates

• •Language considerations: Doctors can provide certificates in Finnish, Swedish, or English

• •Kela coverage: You need to be covered by Finnish social security for sickness benefits

• •Work permit implications: Extended sick leave doesn't affect your residence permit

Sick pay during sairausloma

Employer's responsibility:

• •Most employers pay full salary during sick leave (check your collective agreement)

• •The standard employer payment period is the day you get sick plus 9 following days

• •Some collective agreements provide better terms (often 1-3 months of full pay depending on length of employment)

Kela's sickness benefit:

• •Begins after a waiting period (usually 1+9 days, same as employer's payment period)

• •Pays approximately 70% of your salary (with caps)

• •Can be paid for up to 300 days per illness

• •Requires a doctor's certificate

Getting a sick leave certificate

From occupational healthcare (recommended for employees):

• Contact your employer's occupational health service

• Describe your symptoms and how they affect work

• The doctor or nurse assesses your condition

• You receive a certificate specifying the sick leave period

From public healthcare:

• Contact your local health center (terveysasema)

• Book an appointment or use phone/online consultation

• Bring your Kela card and ID

From private healthcare:

• Book an appointment with a private doctor

• Pay for the visit (partially reimbursed by Kela)

• Receive a certificate

Your obligations during sick leave

• •Notify promptly: Tell your employer as soon as you know you can't work

• •Provide certificates: Submit required documentation within the timeframe your employer specifies

• •Focus on recovery: Sick leave is for recovering, not for other activities

• •Keep employer informed: If your expected return date changes, update your employer

• •Return when able: Come back to work when you've recovered sufficiently

Related terms

• •Occupational Healthcare — Employer-provided healthcare

• •Kela — Finland's Social Insurance Institution

• •Employment Contract (Työsopimus) — Your agreement with an employer covering duties, pay, working time, and key terms

• •Collective Agreement (TES) — Industry-wide minimum employment conditions in Finland, set by collective bargaining