These countries in Europe take the most sick leave

It isn’t news to anyone that European countries often have better sick leave policies than the UK, but which ones are notorious for pulling the most sickies?

In 2024, the number of sick days taken in the UK increased by over 40% in the last three years, with stress and depression being the most common reasons.

But while the UK reports a notable increase in sick leave, several other European countries also stand out for their level of sick leave absence, whether it be due to mental health, cold-related illnesses or taking advantage of generous sick leave policies.

So, let’s take a look at the countries where sick days are taken most often.

1. Bulgaria, 22.0 days

Bulgaria tops the list for the highest number of sick days taken in 2024, with an average of 22.0 days per year. 

Bulgaria’s sick leave policy includes the employer paying 70% of the employee’s salary for the first two days. From there, the National Social Security Institute (NSSI) will pay 80% of the salary, or 90% if it’s a work-related sick leave or injury.

Compared to the UK, Bulgaria has a much lower cost of living and given that most of an employee’s salary is covered, Bulgarian citizens are likely able to afford to take more time off work when they’re unwell.

2. Germany, 18.3 days

Germany is often well-regarded for its generous sick leave policies, offering healthcare benefits and high standards of work-life balance, making it easier for employees to prioritise their health without jeopardising their careers.

So with these generous workplace benefits in mind, why does Germany have such a high number of sick days?

According to research reported by HR Lab, the common cold was the primary cause of high levels of sickness absence in 2023, such as influenza infections and bronchitis. High cases of mental health and musculoskeletal issues were also reported as well, which could possibly link back to Germany’s current labour shortage – resulting in higher stress levels and burnout.

3. Czechia, 15.4 days

Czechia follows closely with 15.4 sick leave days per year. While employees are only paid 60% of their salary, this is balanced out by being entitled to a longer sick leave period of up to 14 days.

However, it was also ranked one of the worst countries for employee wellbeing by Talint Partners Insight. Most notably, organisational culture in most Czech companies is considered to be formal and structured, with a lot of emphasis on productivity and keeping an eye on employees so they don’t slack off. 

In turn, this can create a high-pressure environment that negatively affects both employee morale and overall mental health. This, and the country’s shortage of mental health professionals could potentially be correlated with the high number of sick-related absences.

4. Norway, 14.6 days

Despite Norway’s favourable sick leave policy – where 100% of an employee’s salary is covered for up to a year – the country has seen a significant number of sick days taken in 2024.

While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for this high number, it can boil down to a couple of things.

Rachel Wilson Rugelsjøen, founder of LEVELUP HR, explains in her LinkedIn blog that Norway’s generous welfare system can create a sense of entitlement among employees, who may claim sick leave even when they don’t need it. 

Moreover, as most Norwegian workplaces want to maintain peace and unity, managers may feel afraid to challenge absenteeism, meaning employees feel free to abuse their sick leave benefits as much as they like.

5. Poland, 14.2 days

Working life in Poland is pretty standard. Employees are expected to work 40.4 hours per week, typically from 9 to 5. However, compared to other European countries, Poland was ranked second for longest working hours, falling behind Greece with 41 hours per week.

Polish employers are responsible for paying 80% of an employee’s salary for the first 33 days of sickness, which increases to 100% if the employee falls ill during pregnancy or is involved in an accident going to or from work. 

That being said, Poland was listed as the worst country for employee wellbeing by Talint Partners Insight. According to Careers in Poland, only 38% of employees reported low-stress levels, with the healthcare and life sciences sectors facing the most demanding work environments.

The pressure from long working hours, coupled with the lack of adequate work-life balance and high stress reported by workers could be contributing factors to the amount of sick days, particularly if most employees are suffering from burnout or mental health issues.

While many European countries offer generous sick leave, the reasons behind the high number of sick days vary. Whether it’s affordable sick leave, stressful work environments, or not enough mental health support, each country has its own factors at play.

Of course, the UK has its own sick leave problems as well, combined with its unfavourable parental leave policies and lack of employee engagement. But even with generous sick leave policies, other countries are still struggling with issues like burnout, mental health challenges and workplace stress, which can lead to a high level of absenteeism regardless of how much time off is offered.