Luxembourg - Sickness cash benefits

This chapter provides information on what you need to know about claiming sickness cash benefits.

If you have worked and paid social security contributions in another country in the European Union, the corresponding periods may be taken into account to determine your right to sickness cash benefits in Luxembourg.

In what situation can I claim?

If you are unable to work owing to illness or a non-work related accident, health insurance provides the payment of financial sickness compensation to replace your professional income.

What conditions do I need to meet?

Salaried employees who are unable to work are required to notify the employer either in person or through another person, on the day of said incapacity. The employee's compensation is applicable from the first working day of the work incapacity (with no waiting periods being applicable), on the condition that this is declared to the National Health Fund (Caisse Nationale de Santé - CNS) and to the employer by the third day's absence at the latest, through the presentation of a medical note confirming the incapacity to work and the forecast period of such incapacity.

The sickness cash benefits owed to employees are suspended for the reimbursement period. They are paid at the end of the suspension period, pursuant to the opinion of the Social Security Medical Assessor (Contrôle Médical de la Sécurité Sociale - CMSS) based on a detailed medical report drawn up by the attending doctor.

CNS officials may visit the home of the insured person to verify that they are complying with the health coverage provisions. If the person being checked is not present at the time of this visit and if they are unable to produce any justification for this absence using the official forms and within the official deadlines, their case shall be subject to an order by the CNS, which may rule for official fines.

What am I entitled to and how can I claim?

If you are a salaried employee

You have the right to your full salary to the end of the calendar month during which the 77th day of work incapacity occurs, during a reference period of 18 successive calendar months.

If the work incapacity lasts beyond this period, the health insurance body will grant sickness cash benefits until the entire period of 78 weeks per reference period of 104 weeks is reached.

The compensation is calculated based on the professional income subject to contributions (taxable basis) relating to the affiliations applicable at the time the work incapacity arose. This means the basic remuneration alongside additional and ancillary remuneration, on condition that this is payable monthly in cash, except for remuneration for overtime.

Limits and ceilings:

The monthly sickness cash benefits may not be less than the minimum wage, excepting any legitimate cause for exemptions or reductions.
In the event of part-time work, this threshold is established based on the hourly minimum wage.
For apprentices, apprenticeship compensation constitutes the basis for calculating the sickness cash benefits.
The monthly sickness cash benefits may not exceed five times the minimum wage.
Sickness cash benefits are no longer payable for persons over the age of 68.

If you are self-employed

Daily compensation is provided following a waiting period ending at the end of the calendar month during which the 77th day of work incapacity occurs. You may, however, opt for employers' mutual insurance, and you will receive compensation from the first day of work incapacity. The amount of the compensation corresponds to the taxable basis applicable at the time the work incapacity arises.

Sickness cash benefits are granted for as long as the work incapacity persists, according to the opinion of the Contrôle Médical de la Sécurité Sociale, up to a total limit of 78 weeks for a reference period of 104 weeks. It is no longer granted for persons over the age of 68.

Jargon busters

Contrôle Médical de la Sécurité Sociale (CMSS): Competent authority for all medical issues. Its opinions are binding on the social security institutions.
Caisse nationale de santé (CNS): Health insurance fund for all private sector workers, salaried employees and self-employed persons.
Employers' mutual insurance: this refunds employers 80% of the remuneration paid to employees who are absent due to work incapacity. It pays sickness benefits to self-employed people (voluntarily affiliated) during the waiting period.
Minimum wage: the minimum salary which employers are required to pay their employees. The salaries, pay and social security benefits (except for family benefits) including the minimum wage, are indexed to changes in the cost of living.

Know your rights

The links below provide a legal definition of your rights. They are not European Commission websites and they do not represent the views of the Commission:

Commission publications and websites: