Sick leave and sickness benefits in Denmark
If you become ill while working in Denmark, your employment contract and Danish rules determine whether you receive full pay, sick pay or sickness benefits. Find out what applies and what to do if your sick leave is prolonged.
Sick leave in Denmark
In Denmark, your employment contract determines whether you are entitled to full pay during sick leave, and if so, for how long. It is therefore important to check your employment contract, so you know what applies if you become ill.
As in Sweden, you should notify your employer as soon as possible if you are ill. Your employer may also ask you to provide a medical certificate.
Sick pay from your employer
Many employees in Denmark are entitled to full pay during sick leave, at least for a certain period.
If your employment contract does not entitle you to full pay during sick leave, your employer must normally pay sick pay for up to 30 days, starting from your first day of illness. To qualify, you must have worked at least 74 hours during the eight weeks before your first day of illness.
Sickness benefits from the municipality
If you are ill for more than 30 days, you may be entitled to sickness benefits from the municipality where you work, provided you meet one of the following conditions:
- You have worked at least 240 hours during the last six full calendar months before your first day of illness. During at least five of those months, you must have worked at least 40 hours per month.
- You would have been entitled to unemployment benefits if you had not become ill.
- You completed vocational training lasting at least 18 months during the month before your first day of illness.
- You are employed as an apprentice as part of a Danish vocational training programme.
- You are employed in a flexjob.
The maximum sickness benefit is DKK 5,085 per week or DKK 137.43 per hour (2026). Sickness benefits are taxable in the same way as your salary.
Read about sickness benefits for employees at Life in Denmark
If your sick leave is prolonged
There is no Danish law equivalent to the Swedish Employment Protection Act. This means there is no guarantee that you can keep your job if you are off sick for a long period. Check your employment contract to find out what applies in your case.
In some cases, your employer may be entitled to terminate your employment if you have been off sick for more than 120 days within one year, depending on the terms of your employment contract.
No later than four weeks after your first day of sick leave, your employer must invite you to a meeting to discuss how and when you may be able to return to work, either full-time or part-time. Your employer may also request a medical certificate or arrange a meeting earlier.
Extension of sickness benefits
As a general rule, you can receive sickness benefits for up to 22 weeks within a nine-month period.
Before your entitlement ends, the municipality will assess whether you qualify for an extension of your sickness benefits. An extension may be granted if, for example:
- you are expected to return to work after rehabilitation
- you need a health assessment to determine your work capacity
- you are waiting for or receiving medical treatment and your doctor expects you to return to work within 134 weeks
- your case is being considered by the rehabilitation team for a resource programme, flexjob or early retirement
- you have a life-threatening illness
- you have a pending workers' compensation claim
- you have applied for early retirement and are waiting for a decision
If you do not qualify for an extension but are still employed in Denmark, you may instead be entitled to a resource programme benefit, resourceforløbsydelse, during a job clarification process, jobafklaringsforløb.
If your sickness benefits end
If the municipality intends to stop your sickness benefits, they must inform you before making a decision. You will have an opportunity to comment on the case before a final decision is made.
If you have any questions, you can contact the experts from Försäkringskassan at Øresunddirekt.
Sickness benefits and rehabilitation if you live in Sweden
If your entitlement to Danish sickness benefits ends while you are still ill, you will not normally qualify for Swedish sickness benefits based on your Danish income.
However, you may be entitled to support from Försäkringskassan in coordinating your rehabilitation.
When living in Sweden you may also be entitled to rehabilitation there. Talk to your doctor in Sweden about your rehabilitation options.
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