The Ukrainian government is set to tighten regulations surrounding the issuance of sick leave certificates. This initiative aims to ensure compliance and prevent misuse of the system, which allows employees to take time off work due to health issues while receiving financial compensation.
Sick leave, officially known as a “certificate of temporary incapacity for work,” is issued by medical professionals following an examination. Since 2021, the process has largely transitioned to an electronic format, simplifying both issuance and payment. However, concerns regarding the accuracy of payments and the legitimacy of claims have persisted.
Typically, sick leave is granted for up to five days initially, with the possibility of extension to 30 days following a re-evaluation. In certain cases, it can last up to 120 days or longer, depending on the circumstances. The number of sick leaves an employee can take in a year is not capped, although extended absences are subject to thorough scrutiny by medical commissions.
To facilitate online access, the Ukrainian government has introduced the e-Health system. Employees must first consult a doctor, who then generates an electronic medical report. This report automatically creates an electronic sick leave certificate, streamlining the entire process.
The payment for sick leave is calculated based on the individual’s average salary and insurance record. The formula involves multiplying the average daily wage by a percentage that corresponds to the length of the insurance period, along with the number of sick days. Notably, employers cover the first five days of sick leave, after which the Ukrainian Pension Fund assumes responsibility for payments.
As of January 1, 2026, new payment limits will be implemented, reflecting increases in the minimum wage, thus affecting the minimum and maximum compensation amounts. After a sick leave ends, payments are not immediate; the certificate undergoes automatic processing in the e-Health system, typically taking about seven days to reach a “ready for payment” status. Employers then have ten working days to submit necessary documentation to the Pension Fund, which can take one to three weeks in total.
Starting April 1, a new law will empower the Pension Fund of Ukraine to verify the legitimacy of sick leave certificates and monitor payment accuracy. If a sick leave is deemed unjustified, the Fund can suspend payments and demand reimbursement of any funds already disbursed. This law also facilitates better access to sick leave records among employers, the Pension Fund, and the e-Health system, enhancing transparency and reducing potential abuses.
Ukraine is implementing stricter controls on sick leave issuance to enhance compliance and reduce fraud. The new regulations will empower the Pension Fund to verify claims and monitor payments, aiming for greater transparency in the sick leave system.