Sick Leave Under Egyptian Labor Law 2026: Duration, Pay and Procedures

Sick leave under Egyptian labor law protects employees who are temporarily unable to perform their jobs because of illness or injury. However, it is not simply an absence reported verbally to a manager; it requires medical evidence and proper workplace procedures.

Egyptian Labor Law No. 14 of 2025 provides that the competent medical authority determines the sick-leave period and that wage compensation is governed by the Social Insurance and Pensions Law. Special rules apply to employees in certain industrial establishments.

This Qanoony Online guide explains eligibility, leave duration, salary and wage compensation, medical reports, employee and employer obligations, annual leave, dismissal during illness and the steps to take when a report is rejected or salary is deducted.

What Is Sick Leave Under Egyptian Labor Law?

Direct answer: Sick leave is an authorized absence granted when illness or injury temporarily prevents an employee from performing work, with the period determined by the competent medical authority.

The employee does not unilaterally determine the leave period, and the employer should not disregard a competent medical decision without following the applicable verification procedure.

Sick leave differs from unjustified absence because it is supported by a medical condition, notification and documentation.

When Is an Employee Entitled to Sick Leave?

Direct answer: Entitlement arises when the competent medical authority confirms that an illness or injury prevents the employee from performing the job and determines the required treatment or rest period.

The main elements are:

• A genuine illness or injury affecting work capacity.
• A valid medical report or decision.
• Notification of the employer and submission of the required documents.

Who Determines the Sick-Leave Period?

Direct answer: The competent medical authority determines whether the employee is unable to work, the appropriate leave period and whether an extension or medical reassessment is required.

There is no automatic period that applies to every illness. The medical report should clearly show the employee’s details, examination date, recommended rest period and the medical provider’s identification and authentication.

Is Sick Leave Paid?

Direct answer: An employee with an established medical condition is entitled to wage compensation, whose percentage and duration depend on the applicable social-insurance rules and the employee’s category.

The employee may not always receive the ordinary full monthly salary directly from the employer. Part of the financial entitlement may be paid as social-insurance wage compensation.

The amount payable under the social-insurance system is deducted from any corresponding wage obligation borne by the employer.

When reviewing the payroll calculation, check:

• The medically approved leave period.
• The wage or insured wage used for calculation.
• The amount paid by the insurance authority.
• The amount paid by the employer.
• Any days excluded because of documentation or submission issues.

How Long Is Sick Leave in the Private Sector?

Direct answer: Egyptian law does not provide one universal period for every private-sector employee; the medical authority determines the leave, while social-insurance rules govern compensation.

A special statutory structure applies to employees in industrial establishments covered by the relevant industrial licensing legislation.

What Are the Sick-Leave Rules for Industrial Establishments?

Direct answer: For every three years of service, covered industrial employees receive three months with pay, six months at 85%, and another three months at 75% if recovery is medically considered likely.

These industrial-establishment percentages should not automatically be applied to every private-sector workplace.

Can Annual Leave Be Used with Sick Leave?

Direct answer: An employee may use accrued annual leave in addition to sick leave and may request that sick leave be converted into annual leave when sufficient balance exists.

The conversion should be requested by the employee and documented. It should not be treated as an automatic employer decision.

What Is the Difference Between Sick Leave and Annual Leave?

Direct answer: Annual leave provides periodic rest based on an accrued balance, while sick leave results from a medically established inability to work and is controlled by medical evidence.

What Procedures Should an Employee Follow?

Direct answer: Notify the employer promptly, obtain valid medical evidence, submit it through the approved channel and retain copies and proof of delivery.

1. Notify the manager or HR as soon as attendance becomes impossible.
2. Attend the competent medical provider or authority.
3. Obtain a report showing the examination date and rest period.
4. Submit the report through a traceable channel.
5. Confirm that the leave was recorded.
6. Obtain a new medical approval before extending the absence.
7. Review the payroll and compensation calculation.

Can the Employer Reject a Medical Report?

Direct answer: The employer may verify the report or request review by the competent medical authority, but should not arbitrarily reject an authenticated medical condition.

Verification may be appropriate where a report lacks required information, comes from a non-recognized provider or appears to contain altered dates.

Is a Private Doctor’s Certificate Sufficient?

Direct answer: A private certificate may provide initial evidence, but formal approval may require review by the competent medical authority under the workplace and insurance system.

A prescription or payment receipt alone may not establish the authorized period of absence.

Can an Employee Be Dismissed During Sick Leave?

Direct answer: Employment may not be terminated because of illness until the employee has exhausted sick leave and the remaining accrued annual-leave balance.

The employer must notify the employee of the intention to terminate before fifteen days have passed from the exhaustion date. If the employee recovers before completion of that notification period, termination because of illness is prohibited.

The lawful use of statutory leave is not itself a legitimate reason for termination.

What Happens When Sick Leave Is Exhausted?

Direct answer: The employee uses the remaining accrued annual-leave balance, and illness-related termination can only be considered after exhaustion and compliance with the statutory notice procedure.

Can Employment End Because of Medical Disability?

Direct answer: Total disability may end employment under the applicable law, while partial disability does not end the relationship if suitable alternative work is available.

A temporary illness should not be confused with permanent total or partial disability.

What If an Employee Is Exposed to a Family Member with an Infectious Disease?

Direct answer: The competent medical authority may prevent a worker exposed to an infectious family member from working for an appropriate period not exceeding three months.

What Are the Employee’s Rights During Sick Leave?

• Medical determination of the required leave.
• Applicable wage or wage compensation.
• Recognition of approved leave as lawful absence.
• Protection against premature illness-related dismissal.
• Use of annual leave under the statutory conditions.
• Confidentiality of health and medical information.
• The right to challenge unsupported deductions or penalties.

What Are the Employee’s Obligations?

• Promptly notify the employer.
• Provide valid medical evidence.
• Cooperate with lawful medical verification.
• Obtain approval before extending the leave.
• Return when the approved period ends.
• Never alter or falsify medical documentation.

What Should an Employee Do If Salary Is Deducted?

Direct answer: Request the written reason and calculation, collect the medical and payroll evidence, submit an internal objection and seek legal review if the dispute continues.

1. Request the deduction or disciplinary decision.
2. Confirm that HR recorded the medical report.
3. Compare the approved period with the deducted days.
4. Request an explanation of wage compensation.
5. Submit a written objection with attachments.
6. Keep proof of submission.
7. Consult an independent labor lawyer where necessary.

Review the guide to filing a labor office complaint in Egypt before beginning a formal process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there one fixed sick-leave period for every employee?

No. The competent medical authority determines the period, while specific statutory periods apply to certain industrial employees.

Does an employee always receive full salary?

Not necessarily. The financial entitlement depends on the establishment, insurance system and applicable sick-leave stage.

Can a private medical certificate be rejected?

The employer may request competent medical verification but should not arbitrarily reject an officially approved condition.

Can sick leave be converted to annual leave?

Yes, at the employee’s request when sufficient annual-leave balance exists.

Can an employee be dismissed for taking frequent sick leave?

Illness-related termination is prohibited before the employee exhausts the applicable sick and annual leave and the statutory procedure is followed.

Does mental illness qualify for sick leave?

The key issue is whether a medically established condition prevents the employee from working and is approved by the competent medical authority.

Is an occupational injury the same as ordinary sick leave?

No. Occupational injuries are subject to separate insurance and procedural rules.

Does Qanoony Online provide legal advice directly?

No. Qanoony Online helps users browse independent lawyers and legal consultants and book consultations through the app.

Conclusion

Sick leave requires medical proof and proper notification, wage compensation follows the applicable insurance system, and illness-related termination is restricted until statutory leave is exhausted.

Keep the medical report, proof of submission, payroll records and communications. Do not extend an absence without renewed approval, and review the documents before filing a complaint or taking formal action.