Calculate Greek sickness benefit (epidoma astheneias) from EFKA. 50% of daily earnings for first 15 days, then 75% from day 16 to maximum 182 days in 2025.
Enter your average daily gross earnings and the number of sick days to estimate your total EFKA sickness benefit in Greece.
Total Sickness Benefit
--
Phase 1 benefit (days 4-15)
--
Phase 2 benefit (day 16+)
--
Average daily benefit
--
Benefit as % of earnings
--
Your breakdown
Updates live as you type
Item
Amount
How sickness benefit works in Greece
EFKA pays sickness benefit for insured employees who are unable to work due to illness. The three-day waiting period means benefit starts from day 4. The first phase (days 4-15) pays 50%, then day 16 onward pays 75%, up to a maximum of 182 days in any 12-month window. Employer top-ups under collective agreements may bring total income closer to the regular salary.
Example calculation
An employee with a daily rate of 55 EUR is sick for 30 days. Waiting period: 3 days, no benefit. Phase 1 (days 4-15, 12 paid days): 12 x 55 x 50% = 330 EUR. Phase 2 (days 16-30, 15 days): 15 x 55 x 75% = 619 EUR. Total benefit: 949 EUR. Lost earnings for waiting period: 3 x 55 = 165 EUR.
Tips and considerations
Build an emergency fund to cover the 3-day waiting period and any income gap between EFKA benefit and your regular salary. Check your employment contract for employer top-up provisions. Submit your medical certificate to EFKA promptly to avoid delays in payment.
Frequently asked questions
How does the Greek sickness benefit (epidoma astheneias) work?
The EFKA sickness benefit (epidoma astheneias) compensates insured employees for loss of earnings during illness-related absence. For the first 15 days (days 1 to 15 of each illness episode), the benefit equals 50% of the average insured daily earnings in the prior contribution period. From day 16 onward through the maximum duration of 182 calendar days per 12-month reference period, the benefit rises to 75% of insured daily earnings. The first 3 days are typically a waiting period (karentia) with no benefit payment. To qualify, the employee must have at least 100 days of EFKA contributions in the previous year.
Does the employer continue to pay salary during sickness absence in Greece?
For the first day of absence, Greek employers are generally not required to pay salary by law (it is covered by EFKA with a waiting period). However, for hospitalisation or work-related illness/accident, special rules may apply. Many collective bargaining agreements and individual employment contracts require the employer to top up the EFKA sickness benefit to 100% of salary for a defined period (typically 1 to 3 months per year depending on the agreement). Employees should check their specific contract or applicable sector collective bargaining agreement (KSS or SSS) for top-up entitlements beyond the EFKA base.
What documentation is required to claim Greek sickness benefit?
To claim EFKA sickness benefit, an employee must obtain a medical certificate (iatriki gnomateusi) from an EOPYY or EFKA doctor (or from a private doctor who is registered with EOPYY) confirming inability to work. The certificate must be submitted to EFKA within 2 days of the start of illness (or as soon as practicable). The employer must also submit a declaration (ypeuthini dilosi) confirming the absence. Benefit payments are made by EFKA directly to the employee's bank account. For prolonged illness exceeding 30 days, additional medical committee review may be required.
What happens if sickness exceeds 182 days in Greece?
Once EFKA sickness benefit is exhausted after 182 calendar days, the employee must either return to work, apply for a disability pension through KEPA if the condition has become permanent, or seek extended sick leave under specific provisions. The employer is not obligated to continue the employment relationship indefinitely after the EFKA sick leave period, though dismissal during certified illness is restricted. Employees with serious long-term illness may be eligible for EFKA special sickness benefit (for certain conditions such as cancer), which provides extended coverage beyond the 182-day limit for qualifying diagnoses.