With over 83,000 Google searches a month for the term ‘statutory sick pay’, a new report by The Compensation Experts has ranked European Nations on how well they compensate their citizens in times of ill health.
Iceland leads the way in Europe for their workers’ sick pay package. Employees across the Nordic nation are entitled to an impressive 100% of their wage for a minimum of two days for every month they’ve been in employment.
Trailing closely, fellow Northern European nations Norway and Denmark also offer great sick pay entitlement; each provides nationals with 100% of their salary, with the Norwegian government covering a worker for up to a year, and Danes covered for up to 22 weeks within a nine-month period.
The top ten European countries for sick pay can be seen below:
| Ranking | Country | Minimum % of wage that can be paid during sick leave | Maximum period allowed off as statutory sick pay |
| 1 | Iceland | 100% | 2 days for each week worked |
| 2 | Norway | 100% | 52 weeks |
| 3 | Luxembourg | 100% | 89 weeks |
| 4 | Denmark | 100% | 30 days + 22 weeks |
| 5 | Austria | 50% | 78 weeks |
| 6 | Germany | 70% | 84 weeks |
| 7 | Finland | 70% | 44 weeks |
| 8 | Switzerland | 80% | 103 weeks |
| 9 | Monaco | €146.67 per day / 90% salary | Determined by employee contract |
| 10 | Montenegro | 70% | 65 days* |
Malta might be known for stunning views and sun, but it’s been revealed as the worst country in Europe for sick pay, only paying employees €420.30 per month.
Ireland and the United Kingdom follow closely behind – with Ireland’s sick pay being determined by employee contract type and the UK paying only £96.35 per week, for up to 28 weeks.
The ten worst countries for sick pay in Europe can be seen below:
| Ranking (1 being the worst) | Country | Minimum % of wage that can be paid during sick leave | Maximum period allowed off as statutory sick pay |
| 1 | Malta | €420.30 per month. | 22 weeks |
| 2 | Ireland | No legal minimum sick pay | Determined by employee contract |
| 3 | United Kingdom | £96.35 per week | 28 weeks |
| 4 | Ukraine | 50% | 5 days* |
| 5 | Slovakia | 25% | 53 weeks |
| 6 | France | 50% | 26 weeks |
| 7 | Italy | 50% | 26 weeks |
| 8 | Greece | 50% | Length of employment dependent |
| 9 | Andorra | 53% | 156 weeks |
| 10 | Russia | 50% | Determined by a doctor |
For full information please visit: https://the-compensation-experts.co.uk/european-sick-pay/
