Danish Labor Rules Protect Employee Leave If Sick On Holiday

In Denmark, getting sick during your holiday does not mean losing paid time off. Under the Danish Holiday Act, workers can get replacement vacation days. This rule applies to employees across Copenhagen and the rest of the country.

• Report your illness to your employer on the first day you fall sick.
• A 5-day waiting period applies each holiday year before replacement days begin.
• Employers must pay for the medical note (friattest) if they request one.
• This right is granted under the Danish Holiday Act (Ferieloven).

To claim these days, you must follow specific steps. You must report your illness to your employer on your first sick day. Do not wait until your holiday ends to notify them. There is a five-day waiting period in each holiday year. You get replacement days only after those first five days of illness.

Your employer may ask for a medical note called a friattest. If they ask for this proof, your employer must cover the cost. You should contact your local doctor in Copenhagen right away when you get sick.

Many international professionals in Copenhagen do not know this labor right. Foreign workers often assume sick days during planned leave are lost. Knowing Danish labor rules helps protect your earned holiday time. It ensures you receive fair treatment in your Danish workplace.