Social security sick leave: amounts in 2026

When you are on sick leave, daily allowances (DI) are paid to you by the health insurance organization to which you belong, to compensate for the loss of salary. Payment shall be made from 4^e day off (3 days of absence). If the company plans to maintain the salary in the event of a work stoppage, it receives the compensation directly.

Unemployed persons may also receive JIs, subject to conditions, to compensate for the loss of their unemployment benefits.

The daily allowance corresponds to 50% of the basic daily wage (SJB). This is calculated from the sum of gross wages for the 3 months preceding the work stoppage divided by 91.25.

A salary cap is set for the calculation based on the value of the Smic. The gross salary cannot exceed 1.4 times the amount of the monthly Smic in force in the last month preceding the cessation, i.e €2,613.82 to 1^er July 2026.

Daily allowance ceilings since 1^er July 2026

The maximum daily allowance shall be:

• in the event of illness, to €42.97 gross/day;
• for maternity and paternity leave, to €104.02/day.

In case of accident at work, the ceilings are calculated according to the annual Social Security ceiling and are as follows:

• €240.49/day for the first 28 days of absence (60% of the basic daily wage);
• 320,66 €/day from 29^e day off (80% of basic daily wage).

For more information on the calculation of the daily allowances of Social Security, you can consult the Public Service on the subject: Sick leave: daily allowances paid to the employee.