Maximum Sick Leave Period: Key Requirements

Imagine this – a simple cold escalates into a more serious health issue, and your doctor keeps extending your sick leave certificate. Have you ever wondered how long you can stay “on sick leave”? When does the right to receive sickness benefits end, and can your employer take action if the illness drags on?

This information is relevant not only for those currently ill, but also for employers, accountants, and anyone working under an employment contract. By clearly understanding the maximum sick leave period, how benefits are calculated, and the applicable rules, you can avoid surprises, legal mistakes, or financial misunderstandings.

This article provides a brief and clear overview of how long you can be on sick leave, how to extend the period, what to know about Sodra’s benefits, and the most common mistakes people make.

According to the laws of the Republic of Lithuania, the maximum sick leave period is:

• 122 calendar days for the same illness in one period
• Or 240 days within one year if the illness recurs

However, there are exceptions. For serious illnesses (e.g., oncological diseases), the period may be extended up to 1 year, and in certain cases, even longer. Final decisions are made by the Medical Advisory Commission (GKK).

The right to temporary incapacity applies when:

• A doctor diagnoses an illness or injury that prevents work
• A person is caring for a sick family member or child
• Post-operative recovery, pregnancy, or childbirth

Important to know:

• The employer pays for the first 2 days of illness
• From the 3rd day, payments are made by Sodra
• To extend sick leave, a doctor’s visit is required – there is no automatic extension

To receive sickness benefits:

• The doctor must issue an electronic sick leave certificate via the E-health system
• The employer must submit income information to Sodra
• The employee must submit a benefit request via their Sodra account (unless the employer does this centrally)

If health does not improve, sick leave can be extended by:

• Visiting the same doctor who issued the original certificate
• The doctor assesses progress and may recommend an extension
• In some cases, a medical commission decision is required

Important: Do not miss the deadline – sick leave certificates are not issued retroactively.

Employees do not lose all income during sick leave – but the amount and source depend on the reason, duration, and employer policy.

Employer-paid benefits:

• For the first 2 calendar sick days (if they fall on workdays), the employer pays
• The benefit must be no less than 62.06% and no more than 100% of the employee’s average wage
• Exact terms may be set in collective agreements or internal policies

Sodra-paid benefits:

• From the third day, Sodra pays 62.06% of the compensable wage, calculated based on income over the past 3 or 6 months (depending on the period before illness)
• Paid for each calendar day (including weekends) while the certificate is valid

Note: To receive Sodra benefits, the employee must be insured under sickness social insurance and meet minimum work history requirements (typically 3 months in the last 12 or 6 months in the last 24).

Even though the system is clear, human errors often lead to missed benefits or employer conflicts.

• Failure to extend on time: If sick leave ends and a new certificate isn’t issued the same day, the periods don’t connect. This may result in lost benefits for that day or period. Extensions must be continuous.
• Incorrect or missing documents: Sometimes the doctor registers the certificate, but it doesn’t reach Sodra due to technical issues. Employees may also forget to submit the benefit request.
• Ignoring medical recommendations: Sick leave allows recovery, not travel or other activities. If Sodra or the employer finds the person violated the regime, the benefit may be terminated and the certificate invalidated.
• Outdated bank account details: Employees may overlook that their bank account in Sodra’s system is outdated or incorrect, causing delays or returns of payments.

Who issues sick leave certificates?

Doctors at medical institutions issue them via the E-health system. No physical documents are needed – everything is transmitted automatically.

When do sickness benefits start?

Benefits are calculated from the third calendar day of illness. If everything is in order, payment is made within 17 working days from the date of data receipt.

What happens if the sick leave exceeds the maximum period?

If health prevents returning to work but the maximum period is used up, alternative solutions are considered: temporary incapacity may be terminated and a work capacity assessment initiated (for disability or partial capacity).

How to check your sick leave certificate status online?

Log in to E-health or your Sodra account via the Electronic Government Gateway. You can see whether the doctor registered the certificate and if it’s still valid.

Can an employer dismiss an employee while they’re sick?

Under the Labour Code, an employee cannot be dismissed due to illness or during sick leave. Exceptions apply only if the employee loses work capacity or cannot perform duties long-term, confirmed medically.

Rivile Products – For Easier HR and Accounting Management

• Rivile ERP – A business management system that helps track employee data, wages, and sickness benefits in one place.
• Rivile MGAMA – A self-service portal where employees can submit and view information related to sickness benefits.