I haven’t been working in Spain for long and recently had a bad cold, so I had to take a few days off. When I got back, I noticed the amount on my payslip was different from usual. After some research, I finally figured out how sick pay is calculated in Spain. I noticed this topic isn’t discussed much on the forums, so I’m starting this post to share what I’ve learned. I also welcome corrections and additions from more experienced folks!
What is Incapacidad Temporal?
First, we need to be clear that what we usually call ‘sick leave’ is officially termed Incapacidad Temporal, which translates to ‘Temporary Incapacity’. This is divided into two categories: one for common illnesses or non-work-related accidents, and the other for work-related accidents or occupational diseases. For most of us, things like a cold, a fever, or an accidental bump or fall belong to the first category. The calculation method and start date for benefits differ between these two situations.
How Is Sick Pay Calculated?
This is the key part! During your sick leave, you don’t receive your full salary from your company. Instead, you get a benefit paid by the Social Security office or a collaborating entity (like a mutua). The amount of this benefit is calculated based on your Social Security contribution base, not your actual take-home pay! The specific payment rates are as follows:
| Sick Leave Days | Benefit Rate for Common Illness/Non-Work Accident | Benefit Rate for Work Accident/Occupational Disease |
|---|
| Days 1-3 | 0% | 75% |
| Days 4-20 | 60% of Base Reguladora | 75% |
| Day 21 and onwards | 75% of Base Reguladora | 75% |
Here, the Base Reguladora is usually your Social Security contribution base from the previous month. You can check your payslip for an item called Base de Cotización por Contingencias Comunes, which is generally the figure used. So, the most crucial point is: there is no statutory benefit for the first three days of sick leave
! Some better companies might cover these three days based on their collective agreement (convenio)
or company policy, but it’s not mandatory. From the 4th to the 20th day, you receive 60% of your base, and from the 21st day onwards, it increases to 75%.
Let’s Take an Example
Let’s say your monthly Social Security contribution base is 2,000 euros, and you take 5 days off for a common cold.
- Days 1-3: Benefit is 0 euros.
- Days 4-5: Benefit is (€2,000 / 30) * 60% * 2 days = approx. €80.
So for these 5 days of sick leave, the total amount you can receive from the Spanish healthcare system is only 80 euros. Of course, the actual payment might be advanced by your company, which then settles with the Social Security office; it’s a different system than using private Spanish health insurance. If it were a work-related accident, you’d get 75% from day one, which is a much better deal.
Finally, a reminder: to apply for sick leave, you need a baja médica (sick note) from your GP, which you must submit to your company within the specified time. When you’re ready to return to work, you’ll also need an alta médica (fit-to-work note). Don’t forget this process! Forgetting could lead to you being marked as having an unauthorized absence. For general information on accessing public healthcare, you can read up on applying for a Spanish health card. I hope everyone stays healthy and never needs to use this post! ¡Salud para todos
!
