Sick leave certificate and benefits

1. When do employees have a paid sick leave?
   A sick leave is paid if the employee has a valid labour contract and a social insurance for sickness.
   Normally this requires at least 3 months of insurance record over the past 12 months, or 6 months – over the past 24 months.
2. Is it necessary to inform my employer that I was issued a sick leave certificate in my country?
   Yes, an employee must inform their employer of a certificate of incapacity for work issued to them abroad.
3. Who pays for the sick leave if an employee is sick?
   The first 2 calendar days of sickness are paid for by the employer.
   Starting from the 3rd day, sick benefits are paid by Sodra.
4. What is the sick benefit payment procedure?
   The first two days of sickness (if they fall on employee’s working days as per their schedule) are paid at employer’s expense. The benefit amounts to 62.06% to 100% of employee’s average earnings, at employer’s option. For this purpose, the insurance period is not considered.

Starting from the 3rd day of sickness, sick benefits are paid by Sodra – until employee’s ability to work has been restored, employee’s disability has been confirmed, or employee’s vocational rehabilitation has started. The sick benefit payable by Sodra amounts to 62.06% of the earnings being compensated for (gross).

If a person is temporarily incapable of work due to being a donor of tissues, cells or organs, the benefit is paid from the 1st day and amounts to 77,58 % of the person’s salary (gross).

5. How the sick benefit amount calculated?
   The benefit amount is calculated based on person’s insured earnings over the three months preceding the month, in which a certificate of incapacity for work was issued to the person.
   E.g., if the sick leave start is recorded in November, earnings for July, August and September are taken int account.
6. To what extent free medical treatment is provided in Lithuania, and what actions must be taken during the first visit?
   To visit a doctor for the first time in Lithuania, you need to get registered with any state clinic providing your valid residence permit in Lithuania.
7. What actions need to be taken to have Sodra calculate my sick benefit based on a sick leave certificate issued in Lithuania?
   When recording a sick leave start for the first time, an employee must file an application using their personal account with Sodra or by visiting a Sodra’s office.
   Thereafter, you don’t have to file the application.
8. Which documents need to be presented by third-country nationals to apply for benefits to Sodra based on a sick leave certificate issued in their respective country?

The following documents need to be provided:

1. Valid residence permit in Lithuania.
2. Certificate of incapacity for work issued (due to a disease or injury) by a medical institution in a different country.
3. Medical epicrisis, i.e. a detailed statement of the disease course and treatment.
4. Translations of the documents into Lithuanian, if issued in a language other than a EU/EEA language.
5. Certifications of the documents (apostille or consular verification) if issued in a country other than a EU/EEA member state that has no bilateral treaty on social security with Lithuania.

9. How to register with the Sodra system to apply for sick benefits based on a sick leave certificate issued abroad?
   To file any documents issued abroad, you must get an appointment with a Sorda office. There are several ways to do it:

E-registration:

1. Visit www.sodra.lt.
2. Go to ‘Customer Service’ > ‘Make an appointment’, or click the link: https://gyventojai.sodra.lt/rezervacija.
3. Select:
   • Topic – Sick benefits / Certificates o incapacity for work;
   • City/town – at your place of residence of the closest Sodra office;
   • Choose the time and confirm your appointment.
4. Making an appointment requires your personal data and e-mail address / phone number.

Alternative methods – by phone or via the electronic system:

• Call 1883 or +370 5 250 0883 and get an appointment.
  • If you have access to an e-banking, you may connect via the Electronic Resident Service System (EGAS) and file the documents in a digital form.

10. Is it true that if a sick leave certificate issued in a different country is filed, Sodra will only pay for 7 calendar days?

Yes, it’s true. If you received medical services outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA, Switzerland or UK, a certificate of temporary incapacity for work in Lithuania may only be issued to you for 7 days.

If your temporary incapacity for work lasts, to extend the sick leave, visit a medical institution in Lithuania.