Sick Leave In Spain

Ah, Spain! Land of sunshine, tapas, and siestas. But what about sick days and vacation time? Well, the Spanish take their time off work just as seriously as they take their paella. Employees in Spain are entitled to some of the most generous sick leave and annual leave benefits in Europe.

So if you’re feeling under the weather or need a break from the daily grind, sit back, relax, and let’s take a closer look at how sick leave and annual leave work in Spain. Whether you’re lounging on the beach in Barcelona or exploring the winding streets of Madrid, it’s good to know that you’ve got some time off coming your way. After all, life is too short to spend all your time working! Here’s your short guide to calling in sick from work in Spain.

Does Spain Have Paid Sick Leave?

Yes, Spain has a paid sick leave system known as “Incapacidad Temporal” (IT). This system provides employees with paid time off work if they cannot work due to illness or injury. Under Spanish law, employees who cannot work due to illness or injury are entitled to receive sick pay from their employer for up to 12 months. The amount of sick pay is calculated based on the employee’s salary and the number of days they cannot work. During the first three days of sick leave, the employer is responsible for paying the employee their regular salary. After the third day, the employee is entitled to receive sick pay from the Spanish Social Security system, which is usually 60% of their average daily salary for the first 20 days of sick leave, and 75% of their average daily salary for the remainder of their sick leave. In addition, some collective bargaining agreements may provide more favorable sick pay arrangements, such as paying the employee’s full salary for a certain period. It’s worth noting that self-employed workers in Spain also have access to sick leave benefits, although the rules and requirements may differ slightly from those for employees.

How Much Is Sick-Leave Pay In Spain?

In Spain, sick-leave pay is calculated as a percentage of the employee’s average daily salary, and the specific amount depends on the duration of the sick leave. During the first three days of sick leave, the employer is responsible for paying the employee their full salary, so the amount of sick pay is the same as their regular pay.

After the third day, the employee is entitled to receive sick pay from the Spanish Social Security system. For the first 20 days of sick leave, sick pay is usually 60% of the employee’s average daily salary, and for the remainder of the sick leave, it’s typically 75% of their average daily salary. Some collective bargaining agreements may provide more favorable sick pay arrangements, such as paying the employee’s full salary for a certain period. Additionally, some employers may offer extra sick pay to their employees to help them cover the gap between their regular salary and the amount of sick pay provided by the Social Security system.

How Many Sick Days Do You Get Per Year In Spain?

In Spain, the number of sick days an employee can take per year is flexible by law. Instead, the duration of sick leave is determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the individual employee’s medical condition and their doctor’s recommendation. However, some general rules apply to sick leave in Spain. If an employee cannot work due to illness or injury, they are entitled to take sick leave and receive sick pay from the third day of their absence. The maximum duration of sick leave is typically 12 months, although it may be extended under certain circumstances.

The length of an employee’s sick leave will depend on the nature and severity of their illness or injury and their circumstances. In some cases, an employee may be able to return to work after a few days, while in other cases, they may need to take several weeks or months off work. It’s important to note that if an employee cannot return to work after 12 months of sick leave, their employment contract may be terminated by the employer. However, the termination must be carried out per Spanish labor laws, and the employee may be entitled to certain rights and compensation.

How Many Days Can You Be Sick Without A Doctor’s Note In Spain?

In Spain, the rules around requiring a doctor’s note for sick leave depend on the employer’s policies and the duration of the absence. Under Spanish law, employees are not required to provide a doctor’s note for absences due to illness or injury lasting up to three days. During this period, the employee is entitled to receive their regular salary from their employer without the need to provide medical certification. However, it’s worth noting that some collective bargaining agreements or company policies may require employees to provide a doctor’s note for even shorter absences, such as one or two days.

For absences that last more than three days, the employee must obtain a medical certificate (known as “parte de baja”) from a doctor, which specifies the length of the sick leave and the reason for the absence. This certificate is required to claim sick pay from the Social Security system and must be presented to the employer within three days of the start of the absence. While a doctor’s note is not generally required for absences of up to three days in Spain, it’s essential to check the policies of the employer or the collective bargaining agreement that applies to the employee’s work sector, as they may have specific requirements for providing medical certification.

3 Steps To Call In Sick In Spain

Here are three general steps to call in sick in Spain:

Notify Your Employer 

As soon as you realize that you cannot go to work due to illness or injury, you should notify your employer. You can do this by calling or sending a message to your supervisor or HR department and letting them know that you won’t be able to come to work. It’s essential to do this as early as possible so your employer can arrange to cover your work.

Obtain A Medical Certificate 

If your absence is going to last for more than three days, you will need to obtain a medical certificate (known as “parte de baja”) from a doctor. You can obtain this by making an appointment with a doctor or visiting a walk-in clinic. The certificate should include the length of the sick leave and the reason for the absence. You should provide a copy of the certificate to your employer within three days of the start of the absence.

Follow Your Employer’s Policies 

Your employer may have specific policies or procedures for reporting sick leave, so it’s essential to follow these guidelines. For example, they may require you to call in sick at a specific time or to provide additional documentation. It’s also a good idea to keep your employer informed of your condition and expected return date so they can plan accordingly.

It’s important to note that the above steps are general guidelines, and the specific requirements for calling in sick may vary depending on the employer and the employee’s circumstances.

What Am I Allowed To Do During A Sick Leave In Spain?

During a sick leave in Spain, employees are expected to focus on their recovery and are generally not allowed to engage in work-related activities. However, there are certain things that employees are allowed to do while on sick leave, including:

1. Seek medical treatment: Employees on sick leave are expected to focus on their recovery and may need to seek medical treatment or attend medical appointments. This is an essential part of the sick leave process and is generally allowed.
2. Engage in leisure activities: While employees are expected to focus on their recovery during sick leave, they are also allowed to engage in leisure activities that do not interfere with their recovery. This may include light exercise or activities that promote relaxation and reduce stress.
3. Attend to personal matters: Employees are also allowed to attend to personal matters during sick leave, such as running errands or attending to family matters.

It’s important to note that employees on sick leave are generally not allowed to engage in work-related activities, including working remotely or responding to work-related emails or messages. Doing so could jeopardize their eligibility for sick pay and lead to disciplinary action from their employer. Overall, sick leave in Spain aims to allow employees to focus on their recovery and return to work as soon as possible.

How Much Is Annual Leave In Spain?

In Spain, employees are entitled to a minimum of 30 calendar days of paid annual leave per year, one of the European Union’s highest allowances. This entitlement is based on a full-time workweek of 40 hours, so employees who work part-time or have flexible working hours may have a proportionate allowance. The entitlement to annual leave applies to all employees, including permanent and fixed-term contracts, and it accrues from the first day of employment. Employees are also entitled to receive their regular salary during their annual leave, usually paid in advance of the leave period.

It’s important to note that the amount of annual leave an employee is entitled to may be subject to collective bargaining agreements or company policies, which may offer additional days or benefits. In addition, public holidays are not included in the minimum annual leave entitlement, so that employees may be entitled to additional days off work on top of their annual leave allowance. Overall, the generous annual leave entitlement in Spain is designed to ensure that employees have an excellent work-life balance and can take time off work to rest, relax, and spend time with their families and friends.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Spain offers generous employee benefits regarding sick and annual leave. Employees in Spain can take up to three days off work for sick leave without providing a doctor’s note and are entitled to receive their regular salary during that time. If the absence due to illness or injury lasts for more than three days, a medical certificate is required, and the employee is entitled to receive sick pay from the Social Security system. Furthermore, employees in Spain are entitled to a minimum of 30 days of paid annual leave per year, which is one of the highest allowances in the European Union. This annual leave entitlement accrues from the first day of employment, and employees are entitled to receive their regular salary during their annual leave.

Overall, the generous sick leave and annual leave entitlements in Spain are designed to promote work-life balance and ensure that employees have time to recover from illness or injury and spend time with their families and friends.