Sick pay in Netherlands (2026)
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
In short: In the Netherlands the employer pays at least 70% of the wage during illness, for up to 104 weeks. In the first 52 weeks the pay is at least the statutory minimum wage. A contract or collective agreement may set up to two unpaid waiting days.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Who pays sick payBeing ill and unable to work | The employer keeps paying the wage during illness, for up to 104 weeks (Civil Code art. 7:629). After two years the employee may qualify for a WIA disability benefit from UWV. [1] |
| Sick pay rateBeing ill and unable to work | At least 70% of the wage, and in the first 52 weeks at least the statutory minimum wage. The 70% applies to wage up to the maximum daily wage of art. 17 Wfsv. A contract or collective agreement may give more. Rijksoverheid says 100% applies where the illness is due to organ donation, pregnancy or childbirth. [1] |
| Maximum durationBeing ill and unable to work | 104 weeks (two years). The period is six weeks for domestic workers who work under four days a week and for employees who have reached State pension age. Sick periods less than four weeks apart are added together. [1] |
| Waiting daysBeing ill and unable to work | Pay normally starts on the first sick day. A contract or collective agreement may provide that the employee has no right to wage for the first two days of a sick period (art. 7:629 lid 9); this does not apply if the employee falls ill again within four weeks. [1] |
| Medical certificateBeing ill and unable to work | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- In the second year the employer need not top the wage up to the minimum wage; UWV may pay a supplement if household income falls below the social minimum (Rijksoverheid).
- The Civil Code article and the Rijksoverheid pages read do not state a day from which a medical certificate is required; no official national rule was verified.
Sources
- Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties (wetten.overheid.nl): wetten.nl - Regeling - Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 7 - BWBR0005290 (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.