Work stoppages and sick leave

Are you an employee in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg? What are your rights and obligations if you get sick? What do you need to know to take sick leave? Just Arrived breaks down sick leave and sick days in Luxembourg for you.

What are your obligations as a sick employee in Luxembourg?

Are you sick and unable to go to work? To comply with Luxembourg labor laws and avoid trouble with your employer, you must follow certain rules.

Notify your employer on the first day of absence

From the first day of absence, you must notify your employer as soon as possible, either by phone or in writing. If you are unable to do so yourself, a third party may handle it on your behalf.

However, in the event of a dispute, you must be able to prove that you did indeed inform your employer of your inability to come to work.

Provide a medical certificate starting on the third day of absence

If you are sick, you are required to provide a medical certificate starting on the third day of absence.

You must submit this sick leave certificate to your employer and the National Health Fund within a maximum of 3 days of absence. In the event of serious hospitalization or an emergency, the employee has up to 8 days to do so.

You are not required to provide a medical certificate to your employer for absences of fewer than 2 business days, unless your employer specifically requests it.

Failure to comply with these obligations may result in immediate termination of employment.

You must therefore notify your employer on the first day of absence and submit your sick leave notice within a maximum of 3 days.

Electronic Sick Leave Certificates

C ertificates of incapacity for work have been issued electronically since January 5, 2026 (eCIT). This new procedure applies to sick leave, family leave, and maternity leave.

If your doctor and employer have the necessary systems in place, you can submit your sick leave certificate online without mailing it. To do so, you simply need a personal account on MyGuichet.lu. Your certificate will be made available there and can then be sent directly to the CNS and your employer.

The deadlines remain unchanged: the certificate must be sent to the CNS no later than the third business day following the start of the sick leave. A paper copy is still available if you prefer to request a printed version from your doctor.

This system allows for faster, more secure, and more reliable processing, while reducing administrative steps, the risk of document loss, and paper usage—a significant advantage, particularly for people who have recently moved to Luxembourg.

In the event of an extension of the initial sick leave

If the initial sick leave is extended, the employee must submit a new medical certificate justifying this extension to their employer and the CNS within 2 business days following the originally scheduled return-to-work date.

If the employee falls ill during their vacation days, they may subsequently take an equivalent number of vacation days. This must be done in consultation with their employer and upon presentation of a medical certificate.

Permission to Leave During Sick Leave

In the event of sick leave, the employee may not leave their home during the first 5 days of sick leave, even if outings are authorized by the doctor.

After the first 5 days of incapacity for work, the employee may leave their home or the place of residence reported to the CNS only from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the morning and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the afternoon.

The following exceptions are permitted:

• on the first day for food shopping, after notifying the CNS
• to attend medical appointments or summonses from health authorities related to the sick leave.

The CNS is indeed authorized to monitor the sick employee, either on its own initiative or at the employer’s request. These checks may also be conducted abroad for sick leaves involving cross-border workers.

These checks may take place between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. at the home or place of residence indicated by the sick employee. An employee absent during these checks must justify their absence from their place of residence. They may be subject to a fine.

Stays abroad may be authorized during a period of incapacity for work in certain specific cases. This is particularly the case for a serious illness or disability, the right to palliative care, the death of a close relative abroad, etc.

Sickness benefits paid to employees

The employer is responsible for paying sick leave benefits to employees who are unable to work until the 77th day of absence. The National Health Fund takes over after 77 days.

The sick employee receives their full net salary and benefits until the end of the month in which the 77 days of incapacity occur. Beyond that, they will receive base pay, supplements, and fringe benefits.

Check with your employer and your collective bargaining agreement to see if any specific provisions apply to your company in the event of illness.

Work-Related Exhaustion and Burnout in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, 43% of employees report experiencing stress at work. When do we talk about burnout? What are the symptoms? How should one respond to professional burnout? How can it be treated? What does Luxembourg law say on the subject?

Although burnout is not yet included on the list of “occupational diseases,” it is the focus of awareness and information campaigns, as well as training programs. Those affected can rely on numerous specialists and dedicated organizations.

How can you prevent burnout?

Burnout is a state of depression linked to the workplace. This condition generally stems from a difficult situation experienced at work that persists over time.

Burnout is a form of exhaustion that is emotional, physical, and psychological. The symptoms are generally similar to those of depression—though often less severe:

• Fatigue and a feeling of despondency,
• Irritability, emotional sensitivity, anxiety, and a sense of insecurity,
• Feelings of failure, incompetence, and loss of self-confidence,
• Difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, loss of interest in work,
• Muscle pain (back pain, migraines, etc.),
• Cynicism toward work, dehumanization of relationships leading to social isolation,
• Feelings of incompetence, desire to give up with a high risk of breakdown. In the most severe cases, there may be a risk of stroke or heart attack.

It is therefore urgent to take action before it is too late. If symptoms appear, it is advisable to consult your family doctor or a psychologist.

Luxembourg’s Law on Burnout

Burnout reportedly affects nearly two in ten employees. No fewer than one-third of them are at high risk of burnout.

However, burnout is not recognized as a medical condition in the Grand Duchy, unlike in neighboring Belgium and France.

Nevertheless, an increasing number of companies and organizations are working to raise awareness of the issue among the workforce. This is particularly true of the ASTF, the IMS, and the HR POG community. Training, information, advice, and conferences are thus provided for employees as well as human resources professionals.

Do you want to defend your rights? Contact ALEBA, the Luxembourg Association for Employees in Need of Assistance.

Useful resources on burnout in Luxembourg

Stress Counseling by the Chamber of Employees

In collaboration with the Luxembourg League for Mental Health (LLHM), the Chamber of Employees offers a free counseling service to employees suffering from work-related stress. “Stressberodung” provides psychological support to workers to help them manage their stress.

Consultations, limited to a maximum of five, are available Monday through Friday by appointment at the Chamber of Employees’offices in Luxembourg-Merl. Individual consultations are conducted in Luxembourgish, French, German, or English.

Association for Stress Prevention and Management

The Luxembourg and Greater Region Association for Stress Prevention and Management (APGS) aims to prevent and manage stress-related conditions.

People suffering from depression or burnout can participate in physical and mind-body activities tailored to their needs and supervised by healthcare professionals specializing in therapeutic education.

Please note! A medical certificate stating there are no contraindications is required to participate in the activities.

Burnout Prevention and Support Center

The Burnout Prevention and Support Center (CPA Burnout) aims to create a space for listening and discussion regarding burnout.

It offers individual care, workshops, and training, as well as programs tailored to businesses. The unit is composed of a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.

Cap Prevent Burnout

Cap Prevent Burnout is a multidisciplinary support unit. It aims to prevent workplace stress and provides care for people experiencing burnout.

The unit offers consultations, practical workshops, and support groups. These activities are led by a team of complementary professionals: a psychiatrist, a coach, a neuropsychologist…

Wellbeing at Work

Wellbeing at Work is a privateorganization specializing in promoting health and well-being in the workplace. It offers support, action plans, conferences, coaching sessions, training, and awareness campaigns.

Learn more about the world of work in Luxembourg and the healthcare sector.