Online sick leave in Portugal: a short guide for patients

Official sick leave in Portugal is the Certificate of Temporary Incapacity (CIT). It can only be assessed and, if clinically justified, issued for patients who have an SNS user number and a Social Security number (NISS). Without both, the doctor cannot submit the CIT in the Social Security system.

In the consultation the doctor assesses symptoms, duration and impact on ability to work. If incapacity is clinically justified and you have SNS + NISS, the CIT is submitted electronically to Social Security. You do not need company details for this process.

If you do not have an SNS number and NISS, or the clinical situation does not justify formal leave, the right document is a sick note, not a CIT.

The CIT is the clinical-administrative document submitted to Social Security. Any sickness benefit depends on Social Security rules and your employment status. In outline: employees: 3-day waiting period (payment from day 4), maximum duration up to 1,095 days, no waiting period in case of hospital admission or surgery, and a 6-month contribution requirement with 12 days worked; self-employed: 10-day waiting period (payment from day 11), maximum duration up to 365 days, no waiting period in case of hospital admission or surgery, and a 6-month contribution requirement with contributions up to date.

For the sick-leave consultation, have to hand: identification, SNS number, NISS and a brief history of symptoms. If symptoms continue, ask for an extension before the current CIT ends to avoid gaps in the Social Security process.