Social Security: Sickness Insurance

Persons protected

Workers under the General Social Security Scheme who are unable to work. For the effects of this benefit, the worker must be fully entitled to be off work, even if the employer fails to comply with his obligations.
Pensioners and recipients of regular benefits, including recipients of unemployment benefits or assistance.

Family members or carers in charge of the above, spouses, orphans and dependents and Spanish migrants and also other groups recognised by the law.

The aim of the temporary disability benefit is to cover lack of income arising when an employee is temporarily unable to work and requires social security health care due to illness or accident.

Situations determining temporary disability include

Situations due to ordinary or occupational diseases and accidents, whether industrial or not, when the worker is unable to work and receives healthcare.
Periods of observation for occupational diseases that entail the worker being signed off work for the period.

Start of entitlement

Workers must go to their health centre if they become ill. Their doctor will decide whether they are fit to work and will give them a sick note that they must submit to the company. In the event of a common illness or non-occupational accident, the entitlement starts from the fourth day of the date of cessation of work. The allowance covers at least 60% of the workers’ average income. In the event of an accident at work or occupational disease, entitlement starts from the day following cessation of work. The employer is responsible for paying the full wage to the day of cessation.

The company normally pays the worker a temporary incapacity allowance, which Social Security repays to the company. The maximum duration is 18 months, after which the situation is reviewed

Last updated: 08/08

Source: European Union
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