Sick Cert Online in Ireland

What is a sick cert in Ireland?

A sick cert, also called a medical certificate or sick note, is a document from a registered doctor stating that you are unfit to attend work for a stated period. Irish employers use it to authorise certified sick leave and to administer statutory sick pay.

The certificate confirms that you are unfit for work and gives the dates. It does not tell your employer what is wrong with you. Your diagnosis and everything you discuss during the consultation stay confidential between you and the doctor.

A valid certificate shows your name, the dates you are certified unfit for work, the date of issue, and the name and Medical Council registration number of the doctor who issued it.

Statutory sick pay in Ireland — what your cert is for

Under the Sick Leave Act 2022, employees in Ireland are entitled to paid sick leave from their employer once they have completed 13 continuous weeks of service.

For 2026 the entitlement is 5 days of statutory sick pay per calendar year, paid at 70% of your normal daily wage, capped at €110 per day.

Your employer is entitled to ask for a medical certificate to cover certified sick leave. Many require one from the first or third day of absence — check your contract or staff handbook.

What happens after your 5 statutory days

Once your statutory sick pay is used up and you are still unfit for work, you may be able to claim Illness Benefit from the Department of Social Protection, provided you have enough PRSI contributions.

Illness Benefit requires a different document called a Certificate of Incapacity for Work — a Department of Social Protection form submitted through the eCert system, with your consent. This is not the same certificate your employer receives.

GPLine can advise on next steps during your consultation. Confirm with your GP whether a Certificate of Incapacity for Work can be arranged for your circumstances.

How to get a sick cert online with GPLine

Book a consultation, speak to the GP by video, and the doctor will assess whether a certificate is clinically appropriate. Where issued, your certificate is emailed as a PDF the same day, showing the doctor's name and IMC registration number.

Can a GP refuse to issue a sick cert?

Yes. A certificate is a clinical judgement, not a product. The doctor can only certify unfitness for work if the consultation supports it. Booking pays for assessment — it does not purchase a certificate.

Mental health and sick certs

A certificate for a mental health difficulty carries the same weight as one for a physical illness. Your employer's certificate states only that you are unfit for work and gives the dates — it does not name a condition.

If you are in distress, contact the Samaritans free on 116 123, or text HELLO to 50808, at any hour.