If you are unwell and need time off work, this guide explains how to get a sick cert in Ireland — online or in person — what it costs, what your employer can ask for, and how certification connects to statutory sick pay.
A sick cert, also known as a medical certificate or sick note, is an official document issued by a registered medical practitioner confirming that you are unfit for work due to illness or injury. In Ireland, sick certs are legally recognised documents that serve several important purposes:
A sick certificate typically includes your name, the date of consultation, the expected duration of your illness, and whether you are completely unfit for work or capable of modified duties. It does not include your specific diagnosis, as this remains confidential between you and your doctor.
For brief illnesses lasting one to three days, most employers do not require a medical certificate. You can typically self-certify your absence by notifying your employer according to their absence policy. However, check your employment contract as some companies may have stricter requirements.
Under the Sick Leave Act 2022, Irish employees are entitled to statutory sick pay — and certification by a registered medical practitioner is a condition of the statutory scheme from day one, even though many employers only ask for a cert after a few days' absence under their own policies. The two are easy to confuse: the "no cert needed for the first three days" idea is employer self-certification policy, not the statutory rule.
Key Point: You need a sick cert from the first day you visit a doctor, not necessarily from the first day you were ill. If you wait until day 4 of your illness to see a GP, your cert will be dated from day 4.
Many employers have their own sick leave policies that may require medical certificates:
Always check your employee handbook or HR department for your company's specific requirements.
For a longer illness you may be able to claim Illness Benefit from the Department of Social Protection — a separate scheme with its own waiting days and its own certificate (a Certificate of Incapacity for Work, which the doctor submits to the Department electronically; you do not post anything yourself). A standard employer sick cert does not cover it. Our guide to Illness Benefit versus statutory sick pay explains the rates, waiting days and how the two schemes fit together.
The Statutory Sick Leave Scheme has expanded since its introduction in 2023. Here's what you need to know for 2026:
Statutory sick pay in Ireland is 5 days per calendar year, paid at 70% of normal daily wages, capped at €110 a day.
The Sick Leave Act 2022 allowed for that entitlement to rise to 7 and then 10 days, and those increases were widely reported in advance. They were never commenced. If you have read an article promising 7 or 10 days, that is why the figure does not match your payslip. Check the current position on gov.ie or Citizens Information before relying on it.
Your contract may give you a more generous company sick pay scheme. Statutory sick pay is the legal minimum, not the norm.
To qualify for statutory sick pay, you must:
Statutory sick pay and Illness Benefit are two different schemes and are frequently confused. Illness Benefit is paid by the Department of Social Protection, has its own waiting days, and needs the Department's own certificate rather than a private one. Our guide to Illness Benefit versus statutory sick pay sets out how the two fit together.
Getting a sick certificate online has become one of the most convenient options for Irish patients. Here's how the process works with GetYourGP:
Step 1: Book Your Online Consultation
Visit GetYourGP and select a time slot for your video or phone consultation. Same-day appointments are often available, even in the evenings and on weekends.
Step 2: Complete Your Health Information
Before your appointment, you'll fill out a brief medical questionnaire about your symptoms, medical history, and the reason you need a sick cert.
Step 3: Consult with an Irish-Registered GP
Connect via secure video or phone call with a GP registered with the Irish Medical Council. The consultation typically takes 10-15 minutes.
Step 4: Receive Your Sick Cert
If the GP determines you are unfit for work, your sick certificate is issued and emailed to you immediately as a PDF document. You can forward this directly to your employer or HR department.
If you prefer to see your regular GP in person, here's what to expect:
Phone Your GP Surgery: Call first thing in the morning to request an appointment. Many surgeries reserve same-day slots for urgent cases.
Explain You Need a Sick Cert: Let reception know you need a medical certificate for work so they can allocate appropriate appointment time.
Attend Your Appointment: The GP will assess your condition, discuss your symptoms, and determine if you are unfit for work.
Receive Your Certificate: The cert may be:
In-person GP visits for sick certs typically cost:
A standard Irish sick certificate includes:
For privacy reasons, the following are not included:
This protects your medical privacy while still providing your employer with legitimate proof of illness.
In general, no — do not count on a backdated sick certificate.
This is one of the most common questions about sick certs in Ireland. A certificate is a doctor's professional statement about your fitness for work, and a GP can only confidently certify what they have assessed — which normally means from the date they saw you. A doctor who knows you and your history may, in limited circumstances, be willing to state that your account is consistent with having been unwell earlier, but that is at their discretion and is not something any GP can promise in advance.
If you think your illness might last more than 2-3 days, book an appointment early. With online consultations, you can see a GP the same day you fall ill, ensuring your sick cert covers the maximum period.
These are two different documents, and mixing them up delays claims.
A standard sick cert is proof of illness for your employer. Any registered GP can issue one, it is usually a letter or certificate covering a defined period, and it is what this guide is about.
An Illness Benefit certificate is different: to claim Illness Benefit from the Department of Social Protection, your doctor completes a Certificate of Incapacity for Work and submits it to the Department electronically — you do not post anything yourself. Not every service issues these: an online sick cert covers your employer, but for the Department's certificate you will generally need a GP who processes DSP certification, so tell the doctor at the start if you intend to claim Illness Benefit. The rates, waiting days and eligibility rules are covered in our Illness Benefit versus statutory sick pay guide.
Students may need medical certificates for various academic purposes — our student sick certificate page covers this in detail, and other certificate types are explained on the medical certificates page. In brief:
Most Irish universities and colleges accept:
Online sick certs are equally valid for college submissions and can be particularly convenient during exam periods when you may be living away from your home GP.
With GetYourGP, you can typically book a consultation within hours and receive your sick certificate by email immediately after your appointment. Same-day sick certs are available 7 days a week.
Online sick certs with GetYourGP cost EUR 35 during normal hours or EUR 50 in the evening and at the weekend (the consultation fee includes the certificate). In-person GP visits typically cost EUR 50-70 for private patients.
Yes, phone consultations are available through GetYourGP. The GP will assess your condition over the phone and email your sick certificate if appropriate.
Generally no. Most employers allow self-certification for absences of 1-3 days. Check your company's specific policy.
The certificate must be issued by a medical practitioner registered with the Irish Medical Council. All GPs on GetYourGP meet this requirement.
No. Sick certificates do not include your diagnosis. They only confirm that you were examined and found unfit for work.
If you need to extend your sick leave, you'll need to have another consultation and receive a new certificate. This can also be done online.
Yes. Sick certificates from Irish Medical Council registered GPs are equally valid whether issued online or in person.
If you're unwell and need a sick certificate for work, you can book an online consultation with an Irish-registered GP, same day and at evenings and weekends. If the GP assesses you as unfit for work, your sick certificate is emailed to you straight after the consultation — so you can focus on your recovery rather than on getting an appointment.
This article was reviewed by Dr. Shahnawaz, a General Practitioner registered with the Irish Medical Council. The information provided is for educational purposes and does not replace personalised medical advice.
General Practitioner
Dr. Fasi Ullah is a registered General Practitioner with the Irish Medical Council, providing expert healthcare advice to patients across Ireland through GetYourGP.
Medical Council Registration Number 433130
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shahnawaz on 3 August 2026
Sick Certs & LeaveIreland has two separate sick pay systems: statutory sick pay from your employer and Illness Benefit from the Department of Social Protection. Here is how each one works, how they fit together, and how to claim.
Speak to an Irish-registered GP the same day, 7 days a week. If the GP assesses you as unfit for work, your certificate is emailed to you straight after the consultation.